Ghost London Sizing: Does It Run True to Size?

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

Yes — Ghost largely runs true to UK sizing, but there's an important caveat: the fabric and cut matter enormously. Those dreamy bias-cut satin dresses Ghost is so famous for? They have virtually no stretch and they cling. If you're curvier around the hips or fuller in the bust, there's a real chance you'll need to size up. I've been there — I once ordered a Ghost dress in my usual 12, assuming it would skim my frame like a silk dream. Reader, it did not skim. It gripped. Size 14 was the correct answer that day, and a lesson I've never forgotten.

Ghost's Signature Fabrics and Why They Affect Fit

Ghost has built its reputation on incredibly distinctive fabric choices — luxurious, fluid, and unstructured. But those same fabrics are what make sizing trickier than you'd expect. Here's a quick breakdown:

Bias-cut satin – Ghost's most iconic finish. It drapes beautifully but falls against the body with zero forgiveness. Every lump, bump, and hip curve is on display. If you're between sizes, always go up.
Viscose crepe – More forgiving than satin, and Ghost's everyday and occasion dresses in this fabric generally sit true to size. Still quite fitted through the torso, but much more wearable for curvier figures.
Chiffon and georgette – Ghost uses these in overlay layers and some blouse styles. More relaxed fit, less of a sizing concern.

The rule of thumb: the more structured and sleek the fabric, the more carefully you need to size. Ghost dresses are genuinely gorgeous, but they reward precision.

Which Ghost Styles Suit Which Body Shapes?

I get asked this constantly — Ghost is so romantic and feminine in photographs, but do the clothes actually work on real bodies? In my experience, yes, with a bit of know-how:

Hourglass figures – You'll love Ghost. The fitted waists and fluid skirts are made for you. Wrap styles like the Avery or Renee are particularly flattering.
Pear shapes – Size for your hips, not your waist. The satin and viscose drape will move with your shape beautifully, but you don't want to squeeze your hips into a too-small dress and ruin the line.
Fuller busts – This is where Ghost can be a challenge. Many of their signature styles have minimal bust room. Cowl-neck styles in particular can gape or pull. I'd always recommend sizing up if you're a D cup or above, or opting for wrap styles which allow more flexibility.
Petite frames – Ghost's floaty midi and maxi lengths can overwhelm a petite figure, but the brand does offer some shorter-cut options. The key is proportion — pair a longer Ghost dress with a heel to anchor the look.
Tall figures – Ghost midi lengths hit beautifully on taller women. Maxis, though, may still run slightly short if you're above 5'9", so check measurements carefully.

The Ghost Size Range

Ghost sizes from a UK 6 (XXS) up to UK 16 (XL), and occasionally a UK 18 depending on the style. It's not the most inclusive size range on the market, which is worth noting. Their sizing does use standard UK measurements, so if you know your bust, waist, and hip measurements, you can cross-reference confidently against their size chart. The challenge, as always, is that a size chart doesn't tell you how a bias cut in satin will actually feel on your body on a warm day when you've had lunch.

One thing worth flagging: Ghost has quietly evolved its fit in recent collections. Older Ghost fans sometimes note that newer pieces feel slightly smaller than the brand once did. If you're buying a vintage Ghost or a piece from an older season, bear in mind the fit may be more generous.

My Honest Verdict on Ghost Sizing

Ghost is not a brand where you can blindly order your usual size and expect it to work every time. The magic of Ghost is also its risk — that fluid, clingy satin is unforgiving. My advice after years of wearing and recommending this brand:

Always measure yourself first — bust, waist, and hips
If you're between sizes, size up (especially in satin styles)
Fuller-busted women should size up in structured or cowl-neck designs
Wrap styles give you more flexibility and are worth trying if you're unsure
Read the individual product measurements where available — Ghost does list garment measurements on many styles online

Similar Brands to Ghost — If You Love the Aesthetic

Whether you're waiting for a Ghost sale, can't find your size, or simply want to explore similar floaty, feminine styles, here are my picks across price points:

High Street & Mid-Market:

Phase Eight – Consistently excellent for fluid occasion dresses in similar silhouettes to Ghost. Often more size-inclusive and slightly more forgiving in cut.
Hobbs – Polished and grown-up, Hobbs does tailored occasionwear that sits beautifully. Less floaty than Ghost, but shares that classic British femininity.
Whistles – Ghost's closest high street rival in terms of aesthetic. Beautiful fabric quality, fluid dresses, and generally true-to-size with slightly more stretch than Ghost.
Reiss – A step up in price from Whistles, Reiss does incredible satin and crepe occasionwear with a more structured cut than Ghost. Runs true to size.
LK Bennett – The go-to for occasion dresses with a British heritage feel. Elegant, feminine, and reliable sizing. Perfect if you need something as beautiful as Ghost but with a bit more structure.
Me&Em – Brilliant for elevated everyday dressing. Fluid midi dresses in quality fabrics that feel very Ghost-adjacent. Sizing runs true.
Jigsaw – Understated and elegant, Jigsaw shares Ghost's love of fluid fabrics and simple silhouettes. I find Jigsaw slightly more generous in the cut, which makes it a good option if Ghost's sizing ever feels tight.
Ted Baker – More embellished and statement-led than Ghost, but if you love occasion dressing with a romantic edge, Ted Baker delivers. Runs slightly small — size up if in doubt.

Independent Picks:

Goat Fashion – A beautifully curated British brand that sits between Ghost and designer occasionwear. Exceptional fabric quality and quietly confident dressing. A discovery worth making.
Needle & Thread – If Ghost is the understated option, Needle & Thread is the maximalist dream version. Exquisite embellished gowns and dresses with a romantic, feminine soul. A favourite for weddings and special events.

Find Your Exact Ghost Size — Instantly & Free

Ghost's bias-cut satin and fluid fabrics are stunning — but they don't leave much room for sizing error. That's exactly why Tellar.co.uk exists.

Tellar is the UK's leading free sizing tool, matching your exact body measurements to 1,500+ brands in real time — including Ghost. No guesswork, no returns, no disappointment.

✅ Measure once — bust, waist, hips, or use an existing brand size
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Plus, explore the Tellar Fashion Hub — a library of free, honest, unsponsored fashion posts from our in-house stylists. No ads. No affiliate bias. Just real advice.

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