Filippa K Sizing: Does It Run True to Size?

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

Filippa K runs true to size, but — and this is an important but — it fits with a distinctly Scandinavian tailored precision that can feel quite different to what UK shoppers are used to from the high street. Think clean lines, structured shoulders, and a close (but never tight) relationship with your actual body. If you're used to buying a forgiving M from Zara and layering up, Filippa K may feel like a small step up in intensity. It isn't small, and it isn't big — it's just proper.

I fell in love with the brand after trying a beautifully cut wool coat a few winters back. It slipped on perfectly in my regular size, felt effortlessly polished, and I didn't once reach for the mirror in that panicked "is this too tight?" way. That said, a friend of mine with a fuller bust has had a less smooth ride with their button-front shirts — more on that below.

The Quick Answer: True to Size, But Read the Room

Here's what you actually need to know, by category:

Shirts & Tops: Tailored and cut narrower than UK high street equivalents. True to size for straight and slim builds, but those with a fuller bust or broader shoulders may want to size up.
Trousers: Accurate at the waist, but fitted through the hip — especially in their more tailored styles. If you sit between a UK 10 and 12, go with 12.
Knitwear: The one category where Filippa K gives you a little more room — slightly relaxed in structure, which is very welcome. TTS is generally fine.
Blazers & Structured Jackets: Expect a slim shoulder and a fitted waist. Broad-shouldered women often need to size up; the shoulder fit is the critical point.
Coats & Outerwear: This is where the brand really excels — the cut is generous enough to layer under whilst retaining the clean silhouette they're known for. TTS works beautifully.
Dresses: Clean, minimalist cuts. Fitted but not tight. TTS for most; size up if you prefer to move freely at the hip.

European Sizing: What UK Shoppers Need to Know

Filippa K uses European sizing, which trips up UK shoppers more often than you'd think. A UK 10 is broadly an EU 38 — but the brand's Swedish origins mean the proportions aren't always a like-for-like match for British bodies, which tend to carry weight slightly differently in the hip and chest.

The rough conversion guide is: UK 8 = EU 36, UK 10 = EU 38, UK 12 = EU 40, UK 14 = EU 42. But sizing charts only tell part of the story — knowing your actual bust, waist, and hip measurements and matching them directly to Filippa K's garment dimensions is always going to give you a more reliable result than eyeballing a size guide.

Who Does Filippa K Fit Best?

I'll be honest here, because that's what this column is for. Filippa K's tailoring is cut with a fairly slim, straight Scandinavian frame in mind. If you're a UK 8–14 with relatively balanced proportions, you will likely have a brilliant experience. If you're an hourglass figure, very busty, or carry weight in your hips relative to your waist, some styles — particularly shirts, fitted blazers, and tailored trousers — may not play ball.

That said, their knitwear and coats are genuinely brilliant across a wider range of body types. I always tell clients who are curious about the brand to start there — get a feel for the quality and cut in something forgiving, then venture into the tailored pieces once you understand how their sizing behaves on your body.

High Street Alternatives with a Similar Aesthetic

Not quite at Filippa K's price point, or want to mix things up? These brands deliver that clean, elevated minimalist look and — crucially — tend to offer a wider size range and slightly more generous cuts:

COS — the H&M Group's minimalist label is arguably the closest high street match to Filippa K in terms of aesthetic. Architectural, understated, and surprisingly well-made for the price. Runs slightly relaxed.
Massimo Dutti — exceptional quality for a high street brand. Beautifully tailored trousers and blazers with a European sensibility. Slightly more generous in fit than Filippa K.
Reiss — a brilliant UK alternative for the tailored pieces. Strong on structured blazers, clean-line dresses, and trousers. TTS and generally fits a wider range of body types.
Whistles — consistently underrated. Their tailored trousers and relaxed blouses hit a very similar note to Filippa K without the Scandi price tag.
Jigsaw — perennially good for minimalist workwear. Slightly more relaxed in cut, which makes it easier to wear across different body shapes.
Me&Em — a go-to for that elevated, understated British wardrobe. Excellent quality, great fit notes on product pages, and their knitwear rivals anything at twice the price.
The White Company — for knitwear and casual basics specifically, they punch well above their price point. Relaxed, classic fits that layer beautifully.
Hobbs — if you love Filippa K's tailored side but want something cut a little more generously for UK proportions, Hobbs is a consistent winner. Their suits and blazers are particularly good.

Two Independent Picks Worth Knowing

If you love the Scandinavian minimalist look and want to explore beyond the well-known names, these two deserve a place on your radar:

Samsøe Samsøe — a Danish brand with the same quiet-luxury DNA as Filippa K, but with slightly more relaxed silhouettes. Brilliant knitwear, beautiful outerwear, and the sizing tends to be a little more forgiving. Available online and through select UK stockists.
Totême — a Swedish brand that has become something of a word-of-mouth cult among fashion editors and stylists. Incredibly considered, beautifully made, and a masterclass in how minimalism can still feel luxurious. Their sizing runs TTS with a slightly boxy cut — great for layering.

My Stylist's Verdict

Filippa K is the kind of brand that rewards patience. Don't just order your usual size and hope for the best — know your measurements, understand which category you're shopping in, and give yourself permission to size up if you're between sizes or have a fuller bust or hip. The quality is genuinely excellent and these are clothes built to last, so getting the fit right first time is worth the extra thought.

And if you want to take all the guesswork out of it entirely, Tellar has you covered — more on that below.

Further reading from the Tellar Fashion Hub:

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