Does Next Run Big? Should I Size Up? Your Complete Sizing Guide

Next generally runs true to generous UK sizing across most categories, meaning you should stick with your usual UK size and definitely not size up unless you're between sizes—in which case, go with the smaller size. I learned this when I bought a Next blazer for a job interview in my usual size 12, only to discover it was noticeably roomier than my size 12 from Reiss, with the shoulders sitting further out and the body feeling quite relaxed. It wasn't unwearable, but it definitely didn't have that polished, tailored look I was aiming for. Let me help you avoid similar fit miscalculations.

Why Next's Sizing Is Refreshingly Consistent

Here's what makes Next genuinely pleasant to shop: their sizing is remarkably consistent both across their range and over time. Unlike brands that seem to change their sizing standards every season, Next has maintained fairly reliable sizing for years. This is brilliant for customer loyalty—once you know your Next size, it rarely changes.

I've been shopping at Next since my twenties (initially for workwear basics, now for everything from loungewear to occasion dresses), and I've been the same size in their clothes for over a decade whilst my size has fluctuated in trendier brands. That consistency is genuinely valuable when you're shopping online or just want reliable basics.

The general consensus? Next runs true to UK sizing standards, leaning slightly generous rather than small. This makes them accessible and comfortable, though not always the most flattering if you're after body-skimming fits.

Breaking Down Next Sizing By Category

Let me give you specific guidance based on extensive experience across their range:

Workwear and tailoring – True to slightly generous. Stick with your usual size, but expect a relaxed rather than fitted cut. Their blazers have good shoulder room for layering.
Casualwear and jersey – Runs generous. Their jersey tops and casual tees are cut quite roomy. If you're between sizes, go smaller.
Knitwear – True to size, sometimes generous in "relaxed fit" styles. Their standard knits fit as expected, but anything labelled oversized is genuinely very roomy.
Dresses – True to size with a forgiving fit. Next dresses rarely cling, which is brilliant for comfort but means fitted styles aren't particularly body-conscious.
Jeans and trousers – True to size, sometimes generous in the waist. Their Lift, Slim and Shape range runs more fitted, whilst standard cuts are quite relaxed.
Coats and jackets – Generous sizing with plenty of layering room. Perfect if you want to wear chunky knits underneath, but can feel boxy if you prefer streamlined outerwear.
Occasion wear – True to size. Their party and occasion dresses are cut to be comfortable and flattering across a range of body shapes.

Why Next Sizing Feels Different From Trendier Brands

Next's target demographic skews slightly older and more focused on practicality than cutting-edge trends. Their clothes are designed to be comfortable, wash well, last multiple seasons, and fit a diverse range of body shapes. This means their cuts are generally more forgiving and less body-conscious than brands targeting younger, fashion-forward shoppers.

I once compared a Next size 12 dress to the same size in River Island and New Look. The Next dress had about 2 inches more room in the bust and hips, and was noticeably longer in the body. It's not that Next is "wrong"—they're just catering to customers who prioritise comfort and versatility over super-fitted silhouettes.

How Next Compares to Other High Street Staples

If you shop at other British high street brands, here's how Next sizing compares:

M&S – Very similar sizing to Next, both running true to generous UK sizing. If you're a 12 in M&S, you'll almost certainly be a 12 in Next. Both brands prioritise fit consistency and customer comfort. These are probably the two most reliable high street brands for sizing predictability.

Monsoon – Runs similar to Next, perhaps fractionally smaller in occasion wear. If you're a 12 in Next, you'll likely be a 12 in Monsoon too. Both brands cater to a similar demographic wanting quality and wearability.

Boden – Slightly more generous than Next in casualwear, similar in tailoring. If you're a 12 in Next, you might be a 10-12 in Boden depending on the garment. Boden's relaxed British aesthetic means roomy cuts similar to Next's approach.

White Stuff – Runs similarly to Next overall, perhaps slightly roomier in knitwear. Your Next size will likely match your White Stuff size. Both brands do that comfortable, unpretentious British style beautifully.

Hobbs – Runs smaller and more fitted than Next. If you're a comfortable 12 in Next, expect to need a 14 in Hobbs tailoring. Hobbs cuts for a more structured, polished silhouette whilst Next prioritises comfort and ease.

Phase Eight – More fitted than Next, particularly in occasion wear. You might need to size up in Phase Eight compared to Next. Their dresses are cut closer to the body with less ease built in.

Fat Face – Similar to Next, running true to generous. Your Next size should match your Fat Face size. Both brands do relaxed, comfortable British casualwear with forgiving fits.

River Island – Runs much smaller than Next. If you're a 12 in Next, expect to be a 14-16 in River Island. The fit philosophy is completely different—River Island goes body-conscious and trendy, Next goes comfortable and classic.

New Look – Runs very small compared to Next. A size 12 in Next could be a 14 or 16 in New Look depending on the style. Next is one of the most generous high street brands whilst New Look is among the smallest.

Great Plains – This is my left-field recommendation. Great Plains is a British brand doing beautiful, slightly bohemian pieces with excellent quality. They run similar to Next—true to generous UK sizing. If you like Next's reliability but want something slightly more distinctive, try Great Plains.

Next's Brilliant Petite and Tall Ranges

One area where Next genuinely excels is their petite and tall offerings. Unlike many high street brands, Next provides comprehensive petite and tall ranges across most categories—not just a token few pieces.

Their petite range (for women 5'3" and under) is properly proportioned, not just shorter. Sleeve lengths, bodice measurements, and rise on trousers are all adjusted. If you're petite and Next regular runs large on you, their petite range in your usual size will likely fit much better than sizing down in regular.

Similarly, their tall range (for women 5'8" and above) offers genuinely longer proportions. As someone who's 5'9", I've found Next tall to be one of the most reliable on the high street for sleeve and trouser lengths. Brands like M&S, ASOS, and Topshop also do good tall ranges, but Next's breadth of options is impressive.

Where Next Fits Alongside Other Brands in Your Wardrobe

If you're mixing Next with other brands, here's what to expect:

Next vs. Jigsaw – Jigsaw runs more fitted and contemporary than Next. If you're a 12 in Next, you might be a 12-14 in Jigsaw depending on the style. Jigsaw's cuts are sleeker and less forgiving.

Next vs. Reiss – Reiss runs true to size but more tailored than Next. A 12 in Next will likely be a 12 in Reiss, but the Reiss garment will feel more structured and fitted whilst the Next piece feels roomier.

Next vs. Whistles – Whistles runs smaller and more fitted. If you're a comfortable 12 in Next, expect to need a 14 in Whistles fitted styles. Whistles caters to a more fashion-forward, urban customer.

Next vs. Zara – Zara runs much smaller. A 12 in Next could be a 14 or 16 in Zara. The aesthetic is also completely different—Zara is trend-led and European, Next is classic and British.

Next vs. Coast – Coast (when it was still trading widely) ran true to size but more structured in occasion wear. Next's occasion dresses are generally more forgiving and comfortable than Coast's fitted, formal styles.

Kew – Another brilliant left-field brand worth mentioning. Kew does gorgeous, slightly quirky British pieces and runs similarly to Next—true to generous. If you appreciate Next's quality and fit but want something more individual, Kew is worth exploring.

My Top Tips for Buying Next

After years of Next shopping, here's what I've learned:

Stick with your usual UK size – Unless you're between sizes, your standard UK size should work perfectly. Don't overthink it.
Size down if between sizes – Next's generous fit means if you're hovering between a 10 and a 12, go with the 10.
Check the fit description – "Regular fit" from Next is already quite relaxed. "Relaxed fit" is very roomy. "Slim fit" is closer to what other brands call regular.
Use their extensive reviews – Next has thousands of customer reviews noting fit. They're genuinely helpful for gauging whether something runs true, large, or small.
Consider petite/tall if relevant – Don't just size down for length issues. Their petite and tall ranges are properly proportioned and will fit better.
Their returns are free and easy – Next offers free returns, so if you're genuinely unsure, order two sizes and return one.

The Smarter Way to Get Next Sizing Right Every Time

Right, here's where I need to talk about something that's made shopping at Next (and everywhere else) so much simpler: using actual measurements rather than just trusting size labels.

I used to assume that because Next runs fairly consistently, I could just order my usual size without checking. But "generous" means different things on different body shapes. On me, Next's generous sizing meant gaping waistbands on trousers and boxy tops that weren't flattering. I wasn't swimming in clothes, but they weren't fitting as well as they could.

Tellar.co.uk solved this completely. It's the UK's leading sizing tool that matches your actual body measurements to over 1,500 brands—including Next and all the comparison brands I've mentioned.

Here's how it works:

Measure yourself once using your bust, waist, and hip measurements (or input a size from a brand that fits you perfectly)
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to find your precise size in Next—accounting for their generous cut
Compare your Next size to your size in M&S, River Island, Zara, or any other brand
It's completely free, no downloads needed, works straight in your browser

The game-changer? You can see exactly how Next's sizing relates to other brands you shop. So if you're a 10 in Zara and a 12 in M&S, you'll know whether you need a 10, 12, or something in between at Next. No more guessing based on vague descriptions like "runs generous."

The Tellar Fashion Hub: Your Sizing Questions Answered

Beyond the sizing tool, Tellar has built this incredibly useful Fashion Hub—a library of free posts covering every sizing question and style dilemma. It's written by people who genuinely understand fit and fashion, and it's completely unbiased (no brand partnerships or sponsored content).

For more sizing help and style guidance, check out:

The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide – essential reading before buying anything online
Jeans Trends 2026 – useful if you're exploring Next's denim range
Ultimate Guide to Dresses – particularly helpful for Next's extensive dress collection

My Final Thoughts on Next Sizing

To directly answer the question: no, you shouldn't size up in Next. The brand runs true to generous across most categories, which means sizing up will likely leave you with clothes that are too roomy and unflattering. Stick with your usual UK size, or size down if you're between sizes or want a more fitted look.

Next's generous, consistent sizing is actually one of their strengths. It makes them reliable, comfortable, and accessible for a wide range of body shapes. The trade-off is that their clothes aren't always the most flattering if you're after body-conscious fits, but that's a deliberate design choice rather than a flaw.

My advice? Use Tellar to check your Next size against other brands you wear. It takes the guesswork out completely and means you'll get clothes that fit the way you want them to—whether that's Next's signature comfortable ease or something slightly more tailored.

Have you found Next sizing generous? Do you stick with your usual size or size down? I'd love to hear your experiences with this British high street stalwart!