Does Fleur du Mal Run True to Size? A Stylist's Honest Sizing Guide

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

Fleur du Mal generally runs small to true-to-size, with a notable tendency to come up snug — particularly in structured pieces like corsets and bodysuits, and around the hips and waist in their ready-to-wear. If you're between sizes, sizing up is almost always the right call. I say this having watched one too many women wrestle with a Charlotte Corset that looked absolutely magnificent on the hanger and deeply unforgiving on an actual human body.

Founded in 2012 by Jennifer Zuccarini — previously Design Director at Victoria's Secret — Fleur du Mal is one of those brands that straddles the line between lingerie and ready-to-wear with genuine aplomb. The aesthetic is sophisticated, quietly provocative, and beautifully made. Think silk slip dresses worn as eveningwear, lace bralettes that cost more than most people's monthly coffee habit, and corsetry that could genuinely give you a waist. It's the sort of brand that makes you feel a little more interesting the moment you put it on. But — and this is important — getting the size wrong here is an expensive mistake.

The General Sizing Picture

Fleur du Mal sizes run XS through to L for most ready-to-wear and lingerie pieces, with some bra styles available in band sizes 32–38 and cups B through D/DD. It's not a particularly wide size range for a luxury brand, and the cut is unforgiving in the way that luxuriously structured garments tend to be.

Here's the broad picture:

Runs small at the hips and waist — this is the consistent theme across ready-to-wear. If you carry any volume below the waist, trust your hip measurement over the label.
Corsets and boned pieces (like the signature Charlotte Corset) are notably snug — many shoppers report needing to go up a full size from their usual.
Bias-cut styles such as their slip dresses drape beautifully, but bias cut doesn't stretch. If you're between sizes, go up — you'll thank yourself.
Bodysuits are cut close to the body and don't have much give. Take your measurements carefully before ordering.
Bra bands tend to run firm and on the smaller side — one reviewer found that sizing up two band sizes still gave a snug underbust fit.
Underwear/briefs tend to cut in at the leg and waistband in usual size — sizing up one in knickers is a sensible precaution.

My Advice by Category

Lingerie sets & bralettes: Know your exact measurements before you order — band size and cup size, not just a rough idea. The wireless styles have a little more flexibility, but the wired bras are structured and precise. If you're a 34B in most brands, don't assume that translates directly here.

Corsets and structured pieces: Size up, full stop. These are boned, designed to sculpt, and are not built with stretch. The Charlotte Corset in particular has a reputation for running small — if you're a medium elsewhere, order the large.

Silk and satin slips: These are cut on the bias, which means they move beautifully but also means there's no stretch to fall back on. Measure your hips and go by the chart. If you're on the cusp, take the larger size — a well-fitting slip looks effortless; a tight one looks exactly like a tight slip.

Loungewear and robes: These tend to be the most relaxed in terms of fit. Truer to size and more forgiving than the tailored pieces, so your usual size should work here.

How to Get Your Fleur du Mal Size Right

Given the price point — and the cost of returning pieces internationally — getting your size right before you order is genuinely important. Returns from the EU and UK incur both a handling fee and a reshipping charge, which can easily add up to €30 or more. This is not a brand where you want to be ordering two sizes and returning one.

The smartest move? Use the Tellar Store Size Lookup tool before you buy. You enter your measurements once and it matches you to your exact size across 1,500+ brands — Fleur du Mal included. It takes about 30 seconds and could save you an expensive headache.

Find Your Perfect Fleur du Mal Size — Instantly

Fleur du Mal pieces are an investment. The last thing you want is to spend £200 on a bodysuit that doesn't fit. Tellar is the UK's leading free sizing tool — match your measurements to 1,500+ brands in seconds. No downloads, no subscriptions, always free.

Measure once — bust, waist, and hips is all you need
Use the Store Size Lookup to get your precise size in Fleur du Mal and any other brand
Shop with confidence — no guessing, no expensive returns

Plus explore the Tellar Fashion Hub — a free library of honest, unsponsored style guides written by real stylists. No ads. No affiliate bias. Just good advice.

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If Fleur du Mal Is Out of Budget — What to Wear Instead

Fleur du Mal occupies a very specific aesthetic space — that sensual, lingerie-meets-ready-to-wear mood that feels equally at home at a dinner party or a hotel breakfast. The good news is that this look is very achievable at other price points, and some brands do it brilliantly.

High street picks:

& Other Stories — consistently one of the best high street options for that European-lingerie-as-outerwear aesthetic. Their satin slip dresses and lace-trim camisoles are genuinely lovely and they size inclusively.
Zara — their lingerie-inspired going-out pieces have been strong for several seasons. The corset tops and satin bias-cut midi skirts are worth a look if you want the Fleur du Mal vibe without the price tag.
Mango — brilliant for silk-effect slips and delicate lace pieces at accessible prices. Their sizing tends to run more generously than Fleur du Mal, which is a relief.
ASOS — a huge range spanning every budget and every body. Their own-label satin sets and lingerie-inspired bodysuits are good value and the size range is excellent.
Reiss — for polished, elevated occasion pieces. More covered-up than Fleur du Mal but with a similar commitment to quality fabric and clean lines.
Anthropologie — underrated for this kind of dressing. Their lace and broderie blouses, satin slip skirts, and romantic knit pieces hit a similar mood.
Phase Eight — for occasion-ready pieces with a similarly feminine sensibility. Particularly good if you want structured, event-appropriate looks that nod to the corsetry aesthetic.
Whistles — a reliable go-to for understated silk-effect dresses and evening separates that feel grown-up and considered.

Two independent brands worth knowing:

Cou Cou Intimates — a brilliant independent lingerie brand doing delicate, beautifully made sets in a slightly wider size range than Fleur du Mal. The aesthetic is soft, romantic, and entirely wearable as outerwear layered under blazers or over wide-leg trousers.
Araks — a cult American lingerie label that's well worth seeking out. Exceptional quality, thoughtful design, and a quietly luxurious sensibility that sits comfortably alongside Fleur du Mal. Often available via Net-A-Porter.

The Bottom Line

Fleur du Mal is genuinely beautiful — the kind of brand that earns its price point through exceptional fabrics, considered construction, and a distinct point of view. But it runs small, particularly in structured pieces, and the return costs make getting your size right the first time more important than usual. Measure yourself, check the Tellar size tool, and when in doubt, go up a size. Your collarbone will thank you when that corset actually does up.

More from the Tellar Fashion Hub:

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