Does the Brand Karen Millen Run Big or Small? What Is Their Sizing Like — and What’s Good to Buy?
Author: Stylist and brand team at Tellar
Date: 2025
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Is Karen Millen True to Size?
Karen Millen has long been known for its tailored elegance, premium occasionwear, and sophisticated high-street style. The brand is a favourite among women seeking structured, flattering silhouettes for workwear, formal events, or timeless wardrobe upgrades.
But many customers find themselves asking: Does Karen Millen run big or small?
The short answer: Karen Millen generally runs true to size, but leans slightly small — especially in fitted styles like dresses, tailoring, and corset designs. Their sizing can feel snug in areas like the bust and waist, particularly in more structured pieces.
👉 Before you scroll further: Tellar.co.uk has analysed every brand’s sizing data, including Karen Millen, to match your exact measurements — perfectly. You’ll get a free tape, a one-time setup, and instant access to your best-fitting size in over 1,500 brands. It’s always free to use, and there are no catches. You’ll never need to check a size chart again.
Understanding Karen Millen Sizing: Tailored & Slim
1. Women's Dresses and Occasionwear
This is Karen Millen’s signature category — bodycon dresses, pencil silhouettes, and midi gowns with corsetry or panel seams. These are built for a structured, figure-hugging fit.
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Bodycon dresses: Run small, especially in the bust and hip
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Corset styles or strapless: May require sizing up for comfort
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Stretch fabrics: Fit more flexibly, true to size
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Structured woven styles: More likely to feel tight
✅ Many women find they need to size up one size in tailored or woven dresses, especially if they are fuller in the chest or hips.
🔗 See our Gina Bacconi sizing guide for a similar occasionwear comparison.
2. Tailoring, Blazers & Workwear
Karen Millen’s jackets, suits and work separates are cut to contour — nipped waists, sharp shoulders, and close-fitted sleeves are typical.
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Blazers: Slim arms and narrow shoulders
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Trousers: High-waisted and tailored through the hip
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Skirts: Pencil skirts fit snug, especially without stretch
📏 Not sure if your size in KM matches Zara, Whistles, or Ghost?
👉 Tellar matches you across 1,500+ brands using real sizing data.
Customer Sizing Feedback: What Real Shoppers Say
Thousands of Karen Millen shoppers agree on a few key points:
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“Beautiful quality but definitely snug at the waist.”
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“Needed to size up in dresses with zips — couldn’t breathe otherwise!”
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“Fits true in knitwear, but their corset dresses are tight if you have a bust.”
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“Great tailoring, but blazers are slim in the arms.”
🔗 If you’ve experienced the same with brands like Reiss or Dorothy Perkins, you’ll appreciate how Tellar.co.uk compares styles and sizing from brand to brand, instantly.
What’s Worth Buying from Karen Millen?
✦ Bodycon and Occasion Dresses
This is the crown jewel of the brand. Sculpted fits, bold colour-blocks, and waist-defining seams make Karen Millen a go-to for events, weddings, or standout evenings.
💡 Size tip: If the fabric has no stretch or includes a corset, you may need to go up one size — especially if you’re curvy or have a larger bust.
🔗 Read more: Why Sizing Varies So Much by Fabric
✦ Leather Jackets and Tailored Outerwear
Known for its sleek, modern cuts, Karen Millen's coats and biker jackets are high quality with a more fitted, tailored shape.
🧥 Fit is usually true to size — but snug if you plan to layer underneath.
📏 Not sure? Use Tellar to get your perfect coat size.
✦ Knitted Bodywear and Loungewear
The newer KM collections include stretch knits, ribbed jumpsuits, and softer jersey loungewear. These tend to be true to size — and very flattering.
🧶 The best part? They balance Karen Millen’s usual sculpted shape with actual comfort.
Karen Millen vs Other Brands: Sizing Comparison
Brand |
Typical Fit |
Notes |
---|---|---|
Karen Millen |
Tailored / slim |
Dresses run small in bust/hip, especially fitted ones |
Reiss |
Slim-fit formal |
Similar narrow cuts, often structured fabrics |
Coast |
True to size |
More forgiving, but similar occasionwear vibe |
Ted Baker |
Small to true |
Often tighter in dresses and tops |
H&M |
Runs small |
Less consistent, especially in trousers |
🎯 Want to know if your Karen Millen size = your size in Zara, COS, or Ghost?
👉 Create a free profile at Tellar — we’ll do the matching for you.
Does Karen Millen Use UK or International Sizing?
Karen Millen uses UK sizing as standard, but you’ll often find size guides for EU and US shoppers. Here’s how it breaks down:
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UK 8 = EU 36 = US 4
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UK 10 = EU 38 = US 6
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UK 12 = EU 40 = US 8
Still confusing? Don’t worry — Tellar’s system handles all of this automatically and shows you your size in UK, EU, US or CM.
🔗 UK to US/EU Size Conversion Guide
Why Tellar.co.uk Works Perfectly With Karen Millen
With tailored fits, fabric variance, and complex occasionwear sizing, Karen Millen is exactly the kind of brand where size charts fall short. That’s where Tellar comes in:
✅ We’ve analysed every size chart and garment category from Karen Millen
✅ You only need to enter your measurements once
✅ We send you a free tape measure
✅ You get real-time access to your best size in 1,500+ brands
✅ Always free to use. No subscriptions. No upsells.
💡 Click here to create your free Tellar profile — and say goodbye to returns, reorders, and dressing room guesswork.
Other Tellar Posts You’ll Find Useful
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Final Verdict: Does Karen Millen Run Big or Small?
Karen Millen runs true to size in general, but leans small in bodycon styles, corset dresses, and tailored fits. If you’re curvier or in-between sizes, it’s worth using your exact measurements — not just the size label.
And that’s where Tellar.co.uk gives you a massive advantage. You get size precision across the full Karen Millen range and 1,500+ other brands.
✅ CTA: Never Guess Your Karen Millen Size Again
🎯 Create your free Tellar profile and get your exact Karen Millen size in seconds — plus sizing for Zara, Reiss, Whistles, Ghost and more.