Sizing help - Other stories, Sezane, Rouje, Comptoir des cottoniers

[OhRosalind]

Thinking of updating my wardrobe with some better quality basics and looking at these stores among others but I’m so confused by sizing. The advice that the fit is “true to size” is meaningless when brands are so different!

I’m reliably an S in Zara (Including jeans) unless it’s an oversize style, when I would take an XS as I’m petite (though broad shouldered. The same for H&M and Uniqlo. 8-10 in Topshop, 6 in Whistles. M&S 8 is too big and in more obviously vanity-sized brands I’m swamped even in the smallest size.

Based on this can anyone advise me on sizing for Sezane, & Other Stories, Rouje, Comptoir des cotonniers (and feel free to recommend any other similar brands) and how they compare to other brands (especially Zara would be helpful!).

Thank you and rant over!

I’ve always assumed true to size means that it is true to the size chart. In other words if you measure yourself and compare to the chart it will be correct, not vanity cut.

That makes more sense! I find brands’ own size guides pretty unhelpful though so I’m reluctant to trust them, I’d rather hear real people’s experiences if possible.

I'd say Comptoir des Cotonnier is true to size, as is Zara. Can't comment on the others.

For reference I'm 5"4 euro/French size 34-36 6/8uk in designer brands. I'm a classic hourglass (so not a full one but enough for needing to go up more than one size in some brands but usually the overall fit just becomes a nightmare so I avoid those brands). Not petite, clothes like that fit terrible on me.

Zara I'm usually XS, Uniqlo xxs or X's, H&M, anything from 32-36, never bought or tried anything at M&S, Topshop or Whistles (I'm not in the UK).

Other Stories 34 or 36 usually xs, the stuff from the Paris Atelier comes up smaller IME, the LA and Stockholm atelier don't suit my body type. Sezane, knitwear is oversized xs can sometimes be drowning, jeans aren't a good fit for me so I can't really say, dresses, trousers, etc. 34 or 36 depending on how fitted it is. By French standards it's roomy but not big, so somewhere in between, I'd say take your normal size and expect it to be a relaxed easy fit, if you want it more fitted try a size down. Comptoir comes up big by French standards, I take xs or 34 but sometimes it's still too big/oversized. Rouje is a brand I can't get on with as it's too narrow on hips and rib cage for me, wasn't very impressed with the quality/finish either.

Due to lockdown we're a bit distracted but normally we discuss loads of French brandsover on the Parisiennes threads so feel free to join. My latest find was Loulou Studio, you might like Margaux Lonnberg too.

Thanks Mike, and botemp, what a detailed answer, really helpful. Though I didn’t realise I’d have to take different ateliers into account for stories, that sounds overly complicated! I guess I’ll just have to be prepared to send everything I order back.

I do sometimes lurk on the French style threads, not much to contribute but love all your tips and looks... I’ll check out the brands you mention too.

Haha, yes it's more like three different brands. Klarna is your friend when it comes to & other stories.

Do you like/know about Soeur? Their stuff comes up small but they cut for oversized look if that makes sense.

Thanks for the recommendation Persona I’m going to look them up now.

I have bought a fair bit of Sezane and it's quite generous imo. I'm a standard 10 in most labels and a 10 or small fits well in Sezane, 10 sometimes on the more generous side.

Soeur is an odd one, it used to be that their smallest sizes 32-34 were teenage sizes to bridge between the children's and adult lines. They were tiny with no room for any curves (which most teenagers do get at some point ). It was laughable trying to get into those sizes as an adult 34. They changed it recently though, the 32 seems to be gone as far I can tell and the 34 fits more like an adult size. From a UK size perspective probably size up one unless you're quite narrow as it's pretty standard French sizing (Sezane and Comptoir are outliers size wise, probably because they're more international focused).

You may also enjoy looking through smallable's website that pulls together small brands from all over the world. They have an outlet page too!
I also sometimes get odd things from Atterley which again pulls together listings from small boutiques. Their customer service is brilliant.

L'exception is also good for a multibrand French experience just be mindful that postage and returns are not the free for all that you're use to in the UK. Think their sale is currently only available if you're signed up.

Atterley is new to me, will go have a browse. Thanks Soover

Thanks Soover. I’ve bought for DS from smallable but somehow didn’t realise they did stuff for adults too! Will look up Atterly and l’exception.

I am actually in Italy not the UK but will check delivery and returns policies carefully.

There must be something similar?

Ooh you're in Italy. Definitely have a look at Mesdemoiselles Paris (not the cheapest but currently 60% off on the sale). It's what I'd be buying if I lived anywhere with proper hot summers. Fabrics are very loose and light and it's all very easy to wear. Comes up big but that's probably my skewed perception as it starts at a size 36/S.

You can also look at place des tendances, I didn't mention it previously as for some reason they don't deliver to the UK (although it looks like they now do ), rest of Europe no issue though. It's the online store for Printemps and they carry a lot of different brands like Vanessa Bruno, Sessun, etc. and most mentioned on here. Shipping and returns are free throughout Europe over something like €60.

In Italy you mean? Yes there are decent equivalents stocking a range, but in terms of brands I haven’t found anywhere here that’s quite ‘me’ - lots of basics here come with a ‘twist’ or detailing that makes them more interesting/fussy depending on your perspective, hence looking at some of the French brands that are more my style.

Oh thanks botemp! The Printemps site sounds good. I have a much loved and beaten up Sessun jacket and Vanessa Bruno bag so sounds like the site could be a good fit.

The silk and linen tanks and dresses on the mesdemoiselles site are spendy but gorgeous!

Place des tendrances is definitely worth a look. You could look on somewhere like atterley for what you like the look of and order via an Italian /eu website?

Yes that’s a good idea Soover. Though often if it’s not an Italian brand it’s cheaper to buy from the French/U.K. site even taking postage/returns into account. I will have a proper browse of place des tendences and atterly later.

@OhRosalind keep meaning to say my DD is Rosalind

It’s a beautiful name Soover, sadly not mine. If DS had been DD she would definitely have been Rosalind.

Hi, I came on looking for Sezane sizing and found your thread. Can anyone tell me please how knitwear comes up on Sezane, would Xs or S fit a UK size 10?

@Redact botemp mentioned the Sezane knitwear being oversize in one of the first comments. It is gorgeous, though I wonder if the mohair they use a lot might be itchy.

[quote OhRosalind]@Redact botemp mentioned the Sezane knitwear being oversize in one of the first comments. It is gorgeous, though I wonder if the mohair they use a lot might be itchy.[/quote]
Thank you, I did see that and wonder if I would be able to get off with taking an XS or if I would be better in a S.

I avoid mohair like the plague, brings back childhood memories of a mohair jumper my grandma knitted me that made me and my nose itch like mad!