Aya Muse Sizing: How Does It Fit & What Size Should You Buy?

By Ella Blake — Fashion Stylist | Tellar Fashion Hub — Always honest, unbiased & unsponsored

Aya Muse generally runs true to size, but because the brand uses US sizing and many styles are unforgivingly figure-hugging, UK shoppers need to size-check carefully before buying. A one-size-out error on a cutout dress isn't just uncomfortable — it can look completely off. I've seen it happen, and I've been there myself (more on that in a moment). Here's everything you need to know.

What Is Aya Muse? A Quick Brand Overview

If you haven't come across Aya Muse yet, prepare yourself — this is the brand that makes you look like you've just stepped off a superyacht in the South of France, even if you're heading to a bar in Shoreditch. Founded in Los Angeles, the name itself is a beautiful fusion — "Aya" from the Japanese for beautiful, and "Muse" from the Greek word for inspiration. The aesthetic is slinky, sculptural, and unapologetically sensual: think asymmetric cut-outs, barely-there silhouettes, draped viscose, and structured linen pieces that look effortlessly cool without trying too hard.

It's a brand that has built a serious cult following — and once you understand the sizing, it's genuinely one of the most flattering labels out there.

Does Aya Muse Run True to Size?

For the most part, yes — Aya Muse runs true to size. But there are a few important nuances:

Slinky stretch styles (jersey, ribbed knit): True to size. These are designed to hug the body, and they do it beautifully in your usual size. Think the Lava Dress or Sol Top — wear your standard size and trust the fabric to do its job.
Structured styles (linen, cotton): These can run slightly small. I'd strongly recommend sizing up one if you're between sizes, especially if you're fuller through the bust or hips. A retailer called Branché specifically flags this on certain Aya Muse styles — and they're right to do so.
Cut-out styles: These need to be spot-on. The architectural slits, open backs, and hip reveals are designed for a precise fit — too small and they gap awkwardly, too large and they lose all their impact. Measure your waist and hips carefully before buying.

Quick personal note: I ordered an Aya Muse cutout midi in my usual size and it fit like a dream through the waist — but I hadn't accounted for the fact that I'm a touch fuller at the hip than the average sizing assumes. The gap at the side slit sat about two inches lower than intended. A size up and a small alteration later, it was perfection. The lesson? Measure, don't guess.

Aya Muse Size Conversion: US to UK

Aya Muse uses US sizing, which can catch UK shoppers off guard. Here's a clean conversion guide:

The key takeaway: a US size 4 is a UK size 10, and a US size 6 is a UK size 12. Don't assume you're a different size to usual — just apply the conversion carefully.

Garment by Garment: What to Expect

Dresses: The crown jewels of the brand. For jersey and viscose styles, go true to size. For the structured linen options (like the Esti), size up if you're in any doubt. The one-shoulder and asymmetric necklines look best when the shoulder placement is correct, so prioritise fit through the torso.
Tops: The Sol Top and similar styles are designed as a second skin — they're meant to be close-fitting. True to size is right, but if you're a fuller D+ cup, consider sizing up for comfort through the bust.
Trousers & co-ords: These tend to be more consistent. The Lumara Trouser in particular has received good reviews for fit. True to size works well here — just double-check your hip measurement against the chart above.
Knitwear: The ribbed knit pieces have stretch, so they're very forgiving. True to size or even a size down if you prefer a really close fit.

High Street Alternatives to Aya Muse

Aya Muse sits in a premium price bracket — pieces typically range from around £150 to £500+. If you love the sculptural, minimal aesthetic but want something more accessible, here's where I'd look on the high street:

Zara — Consistently delivers cutout and asymmetric dresses that borrow heavily from the luxury minimal aesthetic. Their limited collection drops sell out fast for a reason.
Mango — Their 'Committed' and premium lines do excellent draped viscose styles that sit stylistically very close to Aya Muse at a fraction of the price.
All Saints — For the edgier, minimal-dark side of the aesthetic. Their jersey and cupro dresses have similar slinky proportions.
Cos — If you're after the architectural silhouette without the cutouts, Cos nails clean, sculptural shapes in quality fabrics. Different vibe, same refinement.
Reiss — Particularly strong for occasion-ready, body-skimming pieces with clean lines. Good construction and excellent fit consistency.
Whistles — Quieter luxury, but some excellent minimal slip dresses and structured pieces that echo the Aya Muse sensibility.
Urban Outfitters — Surprisingly good for the cutout trend at an accessible price. Great for testing whether the silhouette works for your shape before investing in the real thing.

Two Independent Brands Worth Knowing

Gauge81 — A Dutch minimalist brand that is genuinely the closest thing to Aya Muse on the market. Slinky, architectural, understated luxury. If Aya Muse is your aesthetic, Gauge81 should be in your wardrobe. Available via Mytheresa and Net-a-Porter.
Bondi Born — Australian label originally known for swimwear but now doing exceptional resort and evening pieces in minimal, body-sculpting silhouettes. Beautiful quality and a very flattering cut for a range of body shapes. Worth every penny.

Premium & Luxury Alternatives

If you're already happy to invest at the Aya Muse level but want to explore comparable labels:

Self Portrait — Premium. Well-made occasion dresses with similar body-conscious silhouettes. Widely stocked in the UK at Selfridges and John Lewis.
Reformation — Premium. Sustainable, slinky, and beautifully flattering. If you like the LA cool-girl energy of Aya Muse, Reformation is the obvious sister brand.
Jacquemus — Designer. The spiritual sibling of Aya Muse in terms of minimal, body-aware design. More widely available in the UK, with regular drops at Net-a-Porter and Selfridges.
The Row — Luxury. For those who want the quiet luxury take on minimal dressing. Impeccable construction, serious investment pieces.

Never Get Your Size Wrong Again — Use Tellar.co.uk

Aya Muse is one of those brands where getting the size right really matters. There's no forgiving oversized fit to hide behind — these are precision garments designed to fit your specific measurements.

Tellar.co.uk is the UK's leading free sizing tool — and it covers Aya Muse along with 1,500+ other brands. Here's how it works:

Measure once — bust, waist, hip, or just use your size in a brand you already know fits.
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise recommended size in Aya Muse (and COS, Reiss, Reformation, and hundreds more).
Completely free — no downloads, no subscriptions, works in-browser.

Plus there's the Tellar Fashion Hub — a library stacked with thousands of free posts from our expert stylists. Honest. Unbiased. Independent. Always free.

Visit Tellar.co.ukFind My Size in Aya Muse

Further reading from the Tellar Fashion Hub: