Borgo de Nor Sizing Guide: Does It Run True to Size?

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

Borgo de Nor runs true to size for most UK frames, but the brand's tailored, body-skimming silhouettes mean that if you're fuller in the bust or hips, sizing up is a very wise move. I say this from experience — I borrowed a friend's Borgo de Nor Demi dress for a summer wedding a couple of years ago (in my usual size 10), and while it looked absolutely stunning from the front, I spent the entire ceremony hoping the zip would hold. Lesson very firmly learned.

About the Brand

If you haven't come across Borgo de Nor yet, allow me to make the introduction — because once you do, you'll wonder how you ever dressed without it. Founded by Carmen Borgonovo and Joana de Noronha, the brand draws on their eclectic backgrounds spanning El Salvador, Rio de Janeiro and Portugal to create dresses that are unapologetically joyful. Think swirling bespoke prints, romantic silhouettes, voluminous sleeves and the kind of dress that genuinely stops people in the street. It's occasion dressing done with real character — grown-up and polished, but never boring.

The range sits at the premium-to-designer end of the market, with pieces typically priced between £350–£900. You'll find them stocked at Net-a-Porter, Selfridges and directly via their own site. The size range runs from UK 6 to UK 12, which is worth flagging upfront — it is a limited range and the brand doesn't currently extend beyond a UK 12.

How Does Borgo de Nor Sizing Work?

The sizing is consistent with standard UK sizing — a UK 8 is an Italian 38, a UK 10 is an Italian 40, and so on. The key thing to understand is that the cut is structured and fitted, even when a silhouette looks floaty from a distance. These are dresses designed to skim and sculpt, not to drape loosely.

Bust: The most commonly flagged fit issue. Multiple customer reviews note that the bodice comes up snug, particularly across the chest. If you're a fuller D cup or above, I'd strongly suggest going up a size.
Waist: Generally fits true to size — the self-tie belts on styles like the Demi dress offer some helpful flexibility here.
Hips: The structured cotton styles can feel firm through the hips initially, though they do ease a little with wear. Again, if you're between sizes, go up.
Fabric: Cotton styles have more give than silk. If you're on the cusp, a cotton Borgo de Nor will be far more forgiving than a silk one.

The golden rule: if you're between sizes at Borgo de Nor, always size up. The dresses are lined and fitted, and too small will show immediately — too large can be pinned or belted, too small cannot be wished away.

Fit Tips by Body Shape

One of the things I genuinely love about Borgo de Nor is that the prints are so bold and the sleeves so statement that they draw the eye upwards and outwards in the most flattering way — but that doesn't mean fit doesn't matter.

Pear shape: The A-line and fuller skirt styles are incredibly flattering. Avoid the more sheath-like cuts — the hip fit will be the issue.
Apple shape: Opt for styles with a defined waist tie — the Demi dress is brilliant for this, as you can control exactly where it sits.
Fuller bust: This is the area where Borgo de Nor requires the most attention. The square and sweetheart necklines can feel restrictive across a larger chest — size up and have the waist taken in if needed, or look for wrap-style options.
Petite: The maxis can overwhelm a shorter frame — the midi and mini lengths are more proportionate. The brand samples on very tall models, so factor in your height when ordering.

Borgo de Nor Alternatives at Every Budget

Not every day (or every bank account) is a Borgo de Nor day — and that's entirely fine. Here's where I'd send my clients for that same bold, print-forward, occasion-ready energy at various price points.

High street picks:

Anthropologie – The closest high street match for Borgo de Nor's eclectic, print-heavy aesthetic. Their maxi dresses in particular nail that romantic, artistic vibe.
Ted Baker – Elegant and occasion-focused with excellent cut quality. Their printed occasion dresses are genuinely beautiful and the sizing tends to run consistently.
Whistles – Understated but with a strong edit of occasion dresses. If you love Borgo de Nor's tailored structure, Whistles is your high street go-to.
Jigsaw – Beautiful fabrics and clean silhouettes. Less maximalist than Borgo de Nor but with a similar commitment to quality and wearability.
Phase Eight – Fantastic for occasion dressing with wide sizing and a really well-executed range of printed maxis and midis.
Me&Em – Brilliant for that polished, day-to-evening feel. The quality punches well above the price point, and sizing is reliably consistent.
Mint Velvet – Romantic, relaxed and very wearable. They do printed and textured occasion dresses that carry a similar spirit without the designer price tag.
Reiss – For a more sculptural, sleek take on occasion dressing. Not as print-forward, but the tailoring quality is excellent and the brand sizes very consistently.

Independent picks — my two left-field finds this month:

Olivia Rubin – A British independent brand with an incredible eye for colour and print. Her sequinned and patterned midi dresses have real Borgo de Nor energy at a slightly more accessible price point. Gorgeous quality and her size range goes broader too.
Saloni – Another London-based designer who genuinely rivals Borgo de Nor for print artistry. The cut is slightly more relaxed which makes it a touch easier for fuller busts. Stocked at Matches and Browns — very worth exploring.

Never Guess Your Size in Any Brand Again

Sizing in premium and designer brands varies enormously — and Borgo de Nor is a perfect example of why guessing simply doesn't cut it. At Tellar.co.uk, we've built the UK's leading free sizing tool, matching your measurements to 1,500+ brands instantly — no downloads, no paywall, just your correct size every time.

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Plus explore the Tellar Fashion Hub — a library of honest, unbiased, unsponsored style content written by our in-house stylists. No ads. No sponsored posts. Just real fashion advice.

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