Which UK stores do you find consistently true-to-size for women's clothing?

[AbeFroemantheSausageKingofChicago]

Hi everyone,
I’m doing some research and would really value your help. I’m especially interested in hearing from Generation X, but not exclusively, so feedback from all ages would be beneficial! I’m focusing on ladies’ tops and dresses in the UK: Which UK stores do you find consistently true-to-size?

I currently run a niche menswear label, but I’ve been receiving a growing number of enquiries from women. If I decide to expand into womenswear, I want to ensure the sizing and measurements are as accurate as possible, especially since I often find myself that online purchases need to be returned due to inconsistent sizing.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Agree with this especially the part about nothing fitting a tall hourglass.

I'm 52 and I think my best estimate of sizing in somewhere like M&S is size 8 shoulders, size 14 bust, size 10 waist and size 16 hips meaning that nothing fits and dresses are particularly problematic.

I recently bought some 'lounge pants' from M&S to replace the ones I'd bought a few years ago, same style, same size, but I'd say the hips were at a size bigger and the waist af least 2 sizes bigger so they just go really baggy and falling down after I've worn them for a bit. Unfortunately I didn't think about this properly before I wore them so can't return them.

But as for what people mean by 'true to size' I honestly think a lot of the time they mean 'the size I'd like to be fits me' ie if in their head they're a 10 and a 10 from a particular shop fits them, they'd describe that shop as true to size, unlike the shop where a 14 is too small.

Thanks all! This has been really helpful. Lots to consider.

I’m 46 size 14, I find monsoon, east, jigsaw are all really reliable size wise.

Not Gen X but I find:
M&S very variable, even jeans of same style vary in different colours.
Seasalt - run big but consistent sizing
Toast - usually huge but not consistent
French Connection - seem consistent to me
Whistles - consistent.

My shoulders are a 10, chest 14, hips 12. Usually. More than anything I want well fitted shoulders. I can put a belt on a waist and choose a wider skirt, but I can't modify shoulders. The best thing you can do is list measurements and keep those consistent. And put the waist in a flattering place!

Also consider Bravissimo/Pepperberry style sizing (back when they used to sell clothes). They had Curvy, Really Curvy, Super Curvy essentially split into cup size group.

Definitely this. I pretty much depend on my tape measure when buying clothes online these days. Even within brands there’s variation, and some places (I’m looking at you M&S!) there can be variation within the same clothing item depending on which factory it’s been made in!

I increasingly find the armpit to armpit measurement important. For some reason certain brands (Whistles used to be so bad for this that I stopped shopping there) seem to assume women have tiny back muscles and/or tiny boobs. I’m not busty at all (36D)and actually have quite a narrow back apparently but some fitted jackets fit me perfectly other than being tightly stretched over my chest. I’m hardly Katie Price (thank goodness!) but I do exercise and have strong back muscles so all I can assume is their clothes are designed for more skinny frames willowy frames with completely flat chests that can’t even lift a can of beans.🙄Really frustrating as if I size up, it’s too big on my waist and shoulders. Not such an issue given the ongoing oversized trend but frustrating nevertheless.

The other thing I find useful (and important) is arm length. I’m 5’9 so have long arms and it drives me mad that so many clothes have such short arm lengths. It’s a lot easier to make alterations/adjustments if arm length is too long but obviously that means increased fabric costs for manufacturers so instead the majority go for the default short person arms instead to save money. I’ve learnt to be careful where I buy from. I stopped shopping at Zara and Mango many years ago when I realised that their size ‘template’ had much shorter arms and legs than me so that ruled out anything full length.