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Does the Brand Boden Run Big or Small on Clothes Sizing?

Author: Stylist and brand team at Tellar

Date: 2025

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Boden is one of the UK’s most beloved fashion brands—known for vibrant prints, classic silhouettes, and dependable quality. Whether you're shopping for a tailored blazer, a floral midi dress, or children's clothing, one question regularly arises among new and returning customers:

Does Boden run big or small?

In this guide, we take a detailed look at how Boden sizing works across womenswear, menswear, and kids’ ranges—and how you can find your exact size using Tellar.co.uk, the UK’s free and trusted sizing tool.


About Boden: Classic British Style, Modern Fit

Founded by Johnnie Boden in 1991, Boden has grown from a mail-order menswear catalogue into a full-scale fashion label for women, men, and children. Based in London, Boden is known for:

  • Colourful prints and patterns

  • Easy tailoring and comfortable fits

  • Elevated everyday clothing

  • An emphasis on fit, quality, and longevity

While the brand has a strong reputation for reliability, fit can vary significantly by style and fabric, especially between jersey vs woven garments or tailored vs relaxed fits.


Does Boden Run Big or Small?

Boden typically runs true to size across most garments, but can feel generous in some relaxed-fit styles and more fitted in structured tailoring.

Here’s how it breaks down by category:


Boden Women’s Sizing Guide

1. Dresses

  • Jersey and knit dresses often have a relaxed, forgiving fit—ideal for day-to-day comfort.

  • Structured dresses (like shift or bodycon styles) run true to size but may be snug in the waist or bust for curvier figures.

  • Advice: True to size in most styles; size down in relaxed jersey cuts if you prefer a closer fit.

2. Trousers and Jeans

  • Boden trousers are designed with UK body proportions in mind.

  • Waistbands tend to be true to size, but some styles offer tall, regular, and petite lengths, which helps fine-tune the fit.

  • Advice: Stick with your usual size; size up if you're between sizes or prefer a looser fit.

3. Tops and Blouses

  • Designed for ease and movement, especially in casual tops and blousons.

  • Shirts and woven blouses may feel neater around the bust for fuller-chested women.

  • Advice: True to size, but size up in fitted blouses if you’re full-busted.

4. Coats and Blazers

  • Tailored jackets tend to run neat across the shoulders but are cut to flatter—not restrict.

  • Coats allow for layering.

  • Advice: Size up in fitted blazers if wearing thicker layers or you have broad shoulders.


Boden Menswear Sizing

Boden menswear is generally true to size and caters to standard UK fit expectations.

  • Tops and knitwear: True to size; classic British fit (not slim, not oversized).

  • Trousers and chinos: Regular and slim fits available; waist sizes are accurate.

  • Blazers: Slightly structured; size up if you prefer room in the shoulders.


Boden Kidswear Sizing

Boden’s children’s clothing is true to age for the average UK child.

  • Stretchy, casual clothing (like leggings or jersey dresses) can accommodate growth.

  • Tailored or fitted pieces (like shirts or trousers) may run small on taller or broader children.

  • Boden also offers height guidelines in cm on product pages.

Advice: Stick with age sizing unless your child is tall or in between—then size up.


What Do Boden Customers Say?

Feedback from reviews on Boden.co.uk, Trustpilot, and department store retailers shows:

  • “Beautiful cut, I usually wear a 12 and the 12 fit perfectly.”

  • “Needed to size down in the jersey wrap dress—came up generous.”

  • “Trousers fit well at the waist but tight in the thighs—sized up and it was perfect.”

  • “Great quality, but the shirt was snug across the chest.”


How Does Boden Compare to Other UK Brands?

Clothing Type

Boden Fit

Compared to Other UK Brands

Tellar Advice

Jersey Dresses

Slightly generous

Looser than Hobbs or Reiss

Size down for neater fit

Tailored Blazers

Structured

Similar to LK Bennett

True to size or size up

Knitwear

True to size

Similar to John Lewis or FatFace

Stick to usual size

Trousers

Standard UK fit

More generous than Mango or Zara

True to size or size up if curvy

Blouses

Neat in bust

More fitted than Seasalt

Size up if fuller busted


Why Guessing Your Size Still Goes Wrong

Even in brands like Boden—who offer detailed size charts and consistent quality—many shoppers still get it wrong due to:

  • Not knowing their current measurements

  • Changes in body proportions vs standard size assumptions

  • Not accounting for fabric stretch or cut differences

  • Variations in size interpretation across different garments (jersey vs woven, petite vs regular)


The Smarter Way: Use Tellar.co.uk

Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s leading free personalised sizing tool. It takes the guesswork out of shopping by showing you your perfect Boden size instantly—based on your own body measurements.

✔️ Matches Your Body to Boden's Real Fit Data

No more comparing charts or returns—Tellar compares your measurements to actual garment specs, not theoretical averages.

✔️ Accurate Across Categories

Jersey dress? Tailored coat? Kidswear? Tellar gives you precise recommendations based on how each product is designed to fit.

✔️ Works With CM or Inches

Use whichever unit you prefer—Tellar does the maths for you.

✔️ Free Measuring Tape Sent to Your Door

Don’t have a tape? Tellar will post you one—free of charge.

Create your free profile now


Real Example: Finding Your Boden Size with Tellar

Let’s say your measurements are:

  • Bust: 94cm

  • Waist: 76cm

  • Hips: 101cm

Tellar.co.uk may recommend:

  • UK 12 in a structured Boden blazer

  • UK 10 in a jersey wrap dress (due to stretch and ease)

  • UK 12P (petite) if you’re under 5’3” and selecting full-length trousers

Try the store size lookup for Boden now


Related Reading on Tellar.co.uk


Final Verdict: Does Boden Run Big or Small?

Boden runs mostly true to size, with some categories (like jersey dresses and casual knitwear) offering a slightly generous fit. Tailored items such as blazers and shirts can feel neat for those with broader shoulders or a fuller bust.

To get the perfect fit every time, just use Tellar.co.uk—it’s fast, free, and tailored to you.


CTA: Find Your Boden Size Instantly – It’s Free & Easy

🟢 UK-specific

🟢 Real-time sizing accuracy

🟢 Free measuring tape included

Create your Tellar profile now

Check your Boden size instantly


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