Does Forever New Run True to Size? Your Complete Sizing Guide

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

Forever New generally runs true to UK standard sizing, but fitted styles — particularly dresses and tailored pieces — have a noticeable tendency to come up small. If you're ordering online and haven't tried the brand before, I'd strongly suggest sizing up in anything structured or body-con. Trust me, I learned that the hard way.

I've been a fan of Forever New for a while — their feminine, occasion-ready aesthetic hits a sweet spot between grown-up and pretty. But I'll never forget ordering a wrap midi in my usual size 10, fully convinced I was fine, only to find the waist was at least an inch shy of where it needed to be. A size 12 and it fit beautifully. That's Forever New in a nutshell: the styles are lovely, but the sizing can catch you off guard if you're not prepared.

The Brand at a Glance

Forever New is an Australian fashion brand that has grown a loyal following here in the UK for its polished, feminine aesthetic. Think occasion dresses, tailored trousers, pretty blouses, and event-ready co-ords. It's the brand you reach for when you need something that looks a bit more considered than the usual high street fare — a garden party outfit, a smart wedding guest dress, or something that actually photographs well. Their price point sits in the mid-range, which makes them great value for the quality on offer (most of the time — more on that shortly).

So, Does It Run Small, Large, or True to Size?

The honest answer is: it depends on the garment. Here's my breakdown by category:

Dresses — This is where I'd be most cautious. Fitted styles, including wrap dresses, tailored midis, and bodycon cuts, consistently come up on the small side. Customer reviews repeatedly flag this, with shoppers ordering a size 14 and finding it fit more like a 12. Go up one size if in doubt.
Blouses & Tops — Generally truer to size here, particularly in floaty or relaxed cuts. If the top is structured or has a defined waist, size up.
Trousers & Skirts — A mixed bag. Waist-to-hip ratios can be tricky — if you carry more volume on your hips relative to your waist, go up. The waistband on tailored trousers tends to have minimal give.
Knitwear & Casualwear — Usually runs true to size, occasionally a touch generous. This is where your usual size should be fine.
Occasionwear & Event Dresses — Always size up. The cut is often quite unforgiving and the fabrics have little stretch. Better to have a slightly loose fit that can be nipped in than one that won't do up.

💡 Ella's Verdict: Forever New dresses and fitted styles run small — size up at least one size from your usual. Floaty tops and knitwear are generally fine in your normal size.

The Curve & Petite Collections

One thing Forever New actually does well is its sizing range. They offer:

Forever New Curve — runs sizes 16 to 22 (or 24 in some styles), and importantly, sizes 16–18 differ from the main range in that they're designed with more room across the bust, waist, and hips. This matters — it means you can't just jump straight from main range sizing to Curve sizing in a like-for-like way, so check the measurements carefully.
Forever New Petite — designed specifically for women 5'3" and under, with proportionally adjusted dimensions throughout. If you're petite and have always found full-length midis drowning your frame, this collection is genuinely worth exploring.

I think offering both is a real strength for the brand. There's nothing worse than finding a beautiful dress that just doesn't work for your frame because the proportions weren't designed with you in mind.

Practical Tips for Getting Your Size Right at Forever New

Always measure your bust, waist, and hips before ordering online — don't rely on your usual label size. Forever New's size guide on their website is actually quite detailed and worth using as a starting point.
Check the fabric content — if a dress is listed as 100% polyester or woven with no stretch, size up without hesitation. Stretch fabrics (those with elastane or jersey) are more forgiving.
Read the individual product reviews — Forever New's website includes customer reviews with fit feedback, and these are genuinely useful. Look for notes from women with a similar body shape to yours.
When between sizes, always go up — a slightly loose fit can be styled beautifully (a belt works wonders on a wrap dress that's a touch big). A dress that won't do up is a disaster with no solution.
For Curve sizing, don't assume it's a direct size equivalent to the main range — sizes 16–18 in Curve are specifically cut differently. Double-check the measurements.

Style Advice: What to Buy at Forever New & How to Wear It

When Forever New gets it right, it really gets it right. Their printed midi dresses are standout pieces — particularly anything in a floral or abstract print for the spring and summer season. I'd look at them first for:

Wedding guest dressing — their occasion midi dresses are consistently strong and photograph beautifully. Go for a floral print in a relaxed wrap silhouette and you genuinely cannot go wrong.
Smart workwear — their tailored wide-leg trousers and longline blazers are excellent value for what you're paying. Pair with a simple white blouse and barely-there heels for an effortlessly polished office look.
Garden party and summer events — floaty, tier-hem midi dresses with a strappy sandal and a rattan bag. Classic, but done well.
Transitional dressing — their knit cardigans and longline coats layer beautifully over summer pieces when the seasons shift. Very practical if you're planning outfits around changeable weather.

One caveat: the brand's quality can vary by garment. Their dresses and knitwear tend to be well-made, but some of the lighter summer tops have had mixed reviews for durability. Buy the dresses — don't necessarily bank on the basics.

High Street Alternatives to Forever New

If Forever New's sizing is proving tricky or you want similar vibes at a slightly different price point, here's where I'd look:

Phase Eight — very similar aesthetic, perhaps even more consistent with UK sizing, and their occasion dresses are excellent. A go-to for weddings and smart events.
Hobbs — slightly more classic and structured, but brilliant for workwear and smart occasionwear. Their tailoring is reliable and tends to run true to size.
Monsoon — wonderfully similar in the floral-print midi dress department. Often slightly better on sizing for fuller busts in their relaxed styles.
Jigsaw — for a more pared-back, sophisticated take on the same feminine aesthetic. Their midi skirts and blouses are standout pieces.
Me&Em — premium positioning, but their jersey dresses and relaxed tailoring are incredibly wearable and consistently true to size.
Boden — great for the floral occasion dress territory, and their sizing is generally reliable and well-documented. Brilliant for petites too.
Mint Velvet — a very natural swap for Forever New fans. Relaxed glamour, strong prints, and excellent occasionwear options at a similar price point.
Anthropologie — if you want to spend a little more, their Maeve range in particular hits the same pretty, print-led spot as Forever New's best pieces.

Independent Picks Worth Knowing About

Two brands I think Forever New fans would genuinely love and probably haven't heard of:

Kitri — a London-based independent brand doing beautifully considered feminine dresses and separates in limited runs. Their sizing is consistent and their prints are distinctive. Think Forever New but with a more considered, sustainable angle.
Sezane — French brand, now widely available in the UK. If you love Forever New's feminine aesthetic but want something that feels a little more effortless and less event-specific, Sezane is your answer. Their blouses and midi skirts are particularly beautiful.

Never Guess Your Size at Forever New Again — Use Tellar

This is exactly the kind of brand where Tellar.co.uk is a genuine game-changer. Because Forever New sizing isn't always predictable — especially across their main range, Curve, and Petite collections — having a tool that matches your exact body measurements to the right size makes all the difference between a dress you love and one you're returning.

Here's how Tellar works:

Measure once — just your bust, waist, and hips (or use an existing brand size you know fits)
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size at Forever New and 1,500+ other brands instantly
Always free — no downloads, no subscription, works straight in your browser

No more ordering two sizes and sending one back. No more beautiful dresses that won't do up. Just the right fit, first time.

Visit Tellar.co.uk Find Your Forever New Size

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