Does the Brand Alquema Run Big or Small on Clothes Sizing?
Author: Stylist and brand team at Tellar
Date: 2025
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Alquema is a distinctive brand known for its artisan craftsmanship, architectural silhouettes, and hand-finished crushed pleats. Loved for statement pieces like the Long Estrella Dress and the Collare Coat, Alquema offers timeless garments that blend East Asian pleating techniques with bold, sculptural fashion.
But if you're unfamiliar with the brand’s unique materials and construction, one question tends to arise:
Does Alquema run big or small?
Let’s explore how the brand fits, how their pleating affects measurements, and how to get the right size the first time.
Alquema Sizing Philosophy: Not Conventional, But Clever
Unlike high street brands that offer rigid sizing (8, 10, 12…), Alquema works with “free size” or “one size fits most” for many of its iconic garments. This isn't a gimmick — it's a reflection of their design language.
Their signature pleated fabric stretches both vertically and horizontally, allowing the garment to contour to the body while retaining its shape. This construction offers incredible sizing flexibility, but it also means:
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Fit depends more on height, bust, and torso length than a numeric size.
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For some wearers, items may feel roomy in the waist or hips but snug across the chest.
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The same garment can fit someone who wears UK 8 and UK 14 — but may look completely different on each frame.
💡 Tellar.co.uk categorises Alquema as a flex-fit brand where individual measurements play a bigger role than your usual “size label”.
Key Styles and How They Fit
Let’s break down the most popular silhouettes from Alquema and their typical sizing tendencies:
Garment |
Fit Description |
Sizing Insight |
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Long Estrella Dress |
Tapered pleated bodice, flowing skirt |
Stretches to fit sizes UK 8–16 |
Collare Coat |
Sculptural pleated outerwear, flared hem |
Roomy fit; can overwhelm petite frames |
Smash Pocket Dress |
Relaxed, mid-length with deep pockets |
Drapes large; best for UK 10–18 |
Shrug or Bolero |
Stretch pleats; worn open or layered |
Fitted to bust, fits UK 6–14 |
Because these garments don’t follow rigid size grading, traditional online size charts can be misleading. At Tellar.co.uk, we instead recommend matching the chest and shoulder width of each garment to your measurements — especially if you fall at either end of the size spectrum.
Does “One Size” Really Fit All?
While Alquema lists many garments as “one size fits most,” this claim doesn’t hold equally true for every body type:
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Petite Frames (UK 6–8): May find some styles overwhelm proportions.
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Tall Frames (5'9”+): Will find dresses shorter than expected.
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Curvier Shapes (UK 16+): Fit often works, but silhouette becomes more body-hugging.
Tellar.co.uk’s fit adjustment tool uses your body measurements (chest, waist, hips, height) to predict how a specific Alquema item will drape and whether the brand's unique proportions will flatter your shape.
Real Customer Feedback
Here’s what real Alquema customers have reported:
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“The Estrella dress is like magic — it fit me at a size 12 and my sister at a size 8!”
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“I’m 5’2” and the coat was dramatic, but too long in the sleeves.”
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“I wear UK 16 and the Smash Pocket Dress was perfect — comfortable and elegant.”
These comments align with Tellar.co.uk's sizing data, which shows that Alquema runs generously overall, but proportion and fabric stretch affect the perceived fit more than anything.
Comparing Alquema to Other Brands
Because of its niche approach to fit and pleating, Alquema doesn’t compare easily to traditional brands — but here’s how it stands in relation to other artistic or flexible-fit labels:
Brand |
Fit Comparison |
---|---|
Issey Miyake |
Similar stretch pleating; Alquema more generous |
COS |
COS is more structured, less stretch |
Eileen Fisher |
Alquema is more sculptural and flowy |
Free People |
Alquema’s fit is less boho, more precise |
UNIQLO |
UNIQLO follows rigid sizing; Alquema does not |
If you're accustomed to sizing by number (UK 10, UK 12), switching to Alquema can feel liberating — or confusing. That’s why we created a smart sizing solution…
Don’t Guess — Use Tellar.co.uk
Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s most accurate free sizing tool — and it works beautifully with unconventional brands like Alquema.
Here’s how:
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You create a profile with your real body measurements or your known size from another brand.
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Our database matches your shape to Alquema's flexible garments, estimating how it will fit you.
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We show you exactly what to expect: whether the sleeves will hit your wrist, or whether a pleated dress will be too short or too long.
🎯 No more guesswork. No more buying “One Size” and hoping for the best.
Quick Sizing Recap
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Alquema runs generous in waist and hip, but can feel fitted at the bust.
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Many garments are One Size, but this doesn’t mean one fit for all.
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Taller individuals may find lengths shorter than expected.
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Petite or narrow shoulders may be overwhelmed by some of the brand’s sculptural pieces.
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Tellar.co.uk helps match these garments to your specific body shape for best results.
What Makes Tellar.co.uk Different?
At Tellar.co.uk, we believe that size numbers are outdated. Instead, we use data, algorithms and human body logic to show you the real fit of any garment — Alquema included.
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✅ Works with over 1,500 brands
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✅ Free to use — no subscription or payment needed
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✅ One-time set-up
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✅ Compatible with cm or inches
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✅ Includes free measuring tape when you create your profile
Our users trust us to find their size in COS, Alquema, Zara, Me+Em, Massimo Dutti, Toast and more.
👉 Create your free profile now — it takes less than 60 seconds.
Follow Us for More
Stay updated with fashion fit tips, size comparisons and brand-specific advice:
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Instagram: @Tellarsizing
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Facebook: TellarSizing
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Pinterest: TellarUK
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Twitter/X: @Tellar100
Want to read more about how sizing varies?
Final Thoughts: Does Alquema Run Big or Small?
Technically? Alquema runs generous — but fit depends on your frame, not just your size.
For flexible garments made with advanced pleating, your body shape, height, and proportions matter more than a label ever could.
That’s why Tellar.co.uk exists:
To translate fashion sizing into real-world fit for real bodies.
Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.