How Do I Find My Right Size in Phase Eight?

Phase Eight generally runs true to standard UK sizing, though their occasion wear and structured dresses tend to fit more closely than their casual separates—something I discovered the expensive way when I bought a stunning navy lace dress for a wedding that was absolutely gorgeous but required Spanx and shallow breathing all day because I'd sized down! Here's everything you need to know about getting your Phase Eight size spot-on from the first order.

The Phase Eight Sizing Philosophy

Right, let's talk about what makes Phase Eight sizing slightly different from your average high street brand. After years of styling clients for weddings, christenings, and big work events, I've learnt that Phase Eight designs with a particular body type in mind—they're brilliant for creating that polished, elegant silhouette, but this does mean their fits are more structured and less forgiving than, say, your weekend jumper from White Stuff.

Their core sizing runs from UK 6 to 20, with some styles extending to size 24. The key thing to understand is that Phase Eight uses quite traditional British sizing blocks, so if you know your size in brands like Hobbs or LK Bennett, you'll likely be the same in Phase Eight. However—and this is crucial—their occasion dresses and workwear tend to be cut for a fitted look, whilst their knitwear and more relaxed pieces offer more ease.

Where Phase Eight Fits on the Sizing Spectrum

I always tell clients that Phase Eight sits somewhere between contemporary high street and traditional occasion wear brands. They're more generous than very fitted brands but more structured than relaxed contemporary labels. Their UK 12, for instance, typically fits a 36-37 inch bust, 28-29 inch waist, and 39-40 inch hips—fairly standard, but the way they cut their garments means they sit close to the body.

Decoding Phase Eight Sizing by Category

Occasion Dresses & Formal Wear

This is where Phase Eight absolutely excels, but it's also where sizing gets most critical. Their occasion dresses—particularly anything with structure, lace, or tailored detailing—are designed to skim the body closely. I've styled dozens of wedding guests in Phase Eight dresses, and my golden rule is this: if you're between sizes, always size up for occasion wear.

Last summer, I had a client insist on her usual size 14 in a Phase Eight lace sheath dress. It zipped up, technically, but she couldn't sit comfortably or raise her arms fully. We ordered the size 16, which gave her room to breathe, dance, and actually enjoy the wedding. The dress still looked fitted and elegant—just wearable.

Their shift dresses and A-line styles are slightly more forgiving, but those bodycon occasion pieces? They mean business. Check the fabric composition—anything with less than 5% elastane will have minimal stretch.

Workwear & Tailored Pieces

Phase Eight's tailored trousers, blazers, and work dresses are absolutely gorgeous and perfect for professional settings. The sizing here runs fairly true, but their blazers in particular are cut quite fitted through the shoulders and bust. If you have a fuller bust or broader shoulders, you might need to size up and potentially have the waist taken in slightly.

I love their wide-leg work trousers—they're brilliant quality and the sizing is consistent. A size 12 will genuinely fit like a 12, but do pay attention to the rise. Phase Eight tends to use a medium to high rise, which is flattering but can feel restrictive if you're used to lower waistbands.

Knitwear & Casual Pieces

Here's where Phase Eight becomes more relaxed with their sizing. Their jumpers, cardigans, and casual separates tend to have more ease and run true to size or even slightly generously. I've got several Phase Eight knits in my wardrobe and they're all my usual size 12 with plenty of room for layering.

Taking Your Measurements Properly

Before you order anything from Phase Eight, grab a fabric measuring tape and take these three crucial measurements:

• Bust: Measure around the fullest part of your chest, keeping the tape parallel to the floor and not too tight

• Waist: Find your natural waistline (bend to the side and see where you crease—that's your natural waist) and measure there

• Hips: Measure around the fullest part of your bottom and hips, usually about 8 inches below your waist

Phase Eight's size charts are actually quite accurate on their website, but here's my tip: if your measurements fall between two sizes, or if your bust and hip measurements suggest different sizes, go with the larger size for dresses and the size that fits your widest measurement for separates.

When Phase Eight Sizing Doesn't Work: Brilliant Alternatives

Look, Phase Eight is wonderful, but their aesthetic and sizing won't suit everyone. Here are some equally gorgeous alternatives that offer different fits or styles.

Occasion Wear Champions

Coast is probably Phase Eight's closest competitor in terms of occasion wear, but they tend to run slightly more generously, particularly in their maxi dresses and gowns. If Phase Eight feels restrictive, Coast might be your perfect match. Their embellished pieces are stunning and they've got excellent size range up to 26.

Monsoon offers that same sophisticated occasion wear aesthetic but with more relaxed fits overall. I particularly love their printed dresses and their sizing is very consistent—if you find Phase Eight a bit snug, Monsoon's slightly easier cuts might work beautifully. Their embroidery work is exceptional too.

Hobbs sits at a similar price point to Phase Eight and their quality is outstanding. Sizing runs very true to standard UK sizing, and their occasion dresses have slightly more structure than Phase Eight, which some women prefer. Their workwear range is particularly strong—those tailored dresses are investment pieces.

LK Bennett delivers elegant, sophisticated pieces with beautiful tailoring. They run fairly true to size but with a slightly more generous cut through the bust than Phase Eight. If you've got a fuller bust and find Phase Eight restrictive, LK Bennett might suit you better. Their shoes are legendary too.

Contemporary Alternatives

Ted Baker offers that polished, feminine aesthetic with slightly quirkier details than Phase Eight. Their sizing can be inconsistent between collections, so always check reviews, but when you find a winner, it's brilliant. They excel at printed dresses and their quality has really improved in recent years.

Mint Velvet has become one of my go-to recommendations for clients who love Phase Eight's style but want something slightly more relaxed. Their sizing runs true to standard UK sizing but with more ease through the body. Perfect if you find Phase Eight's fitted styles uncomfortable. Their colour palettes are gorgeous too.

White Stuff might seem an unexpected recommendation, but their occasion wear range has really evolved. They offer that same British elegance as Phase Eight but with much more relaxed, forgiving fits. Brilliant if Phase Eight's structure doesn't suit your lifestyle or body preferences. Their print work is beautiful.

Anthropologie delivers unique, feminine pieces with very different sizing to Phase Eight—they tend to run small in my experience, so size up, but the aesthetic is gorgeous if you want something a bit more individual than mainstream occasion wear. Their dresses photograph beautifully.

Independent Discoveries

Beulah London creates absolutely exquisite occasion wear with a focus on ethical production. Their sizing runs fairly generously compared to Phase Eight, and their dresses are the kind of pieces you'll treasure for years. Yes, they're an investment, but the quality and craftsmanship are exceptional. The Duchess of Cambridge wears them, which tells you everything about the elegance factor.

Goat Fashion is a British brand doing gorgeous contemporary dresses with that same polished aesthetic as Phase Eight but with more interesting cuts and details. Their sizing runs true to UK standards but with slightly more room through the body. I've styled several clients in Goat pieces and they always get compliments.

The Smarter Way to Shop: Never Guess Your Size Again

Here's the truth—trying to decode sizing across different brands is exhausting and expensive when you get it wrong. This is precisely why I'm such a fan of Tellar.co.uk, which has genuinely revolutionised how I approach styling and shopping for clients.

How Tellar Transforms Your Shopping

Tellar matches your body measurements to your precise size across 1,500+ brands instantly. You measure once—bust, waist, hips—or input your size from a brand you know fits perfectly. Then Tellar tells you exactly what size you need in Phase Eight, Coast, Hobbs, and literally hundreds of other brands.

No more ordering three sizes and hoping one works. No more expensive return postage. No more sizing anxiety. It's completely free, works in your browser with no downloads, and honestly, it's saved me countless hours of frustration. Just visit Tellar.co.uk and start shopping with confidence.

The Store Size Lookup Tool

This is the feature that's become absolutely indispensable in my styling work. Head to Tellar's Store Size Lookup and you can instantly see your size in any brand—whether that's Phase Eight, LK Bennett, or any of the 1,500+ brands in their system.

The genius of Tellar is that it understands the nuances between brands. It knows that Phase Eight's size 12 occasion dress will fit differently to Coast's size 12 maxi dress or Monsoon's size 12 shift dress. It does all that complicated conversion work for you, based on actual measurements, not guesswork.

Expert Styling Advice in the Fashion Hub

Beyond sizing, Tellar's built an incredible Fashion Hub packed with genuinely useful styling posts. It's proper fashion advice from experienced stylists—honest, independent, and completely free. Whether you need guidance on choosing the perfect dress for your body shape, understanding the latest jeans trends, or navigating comprehensive sizing information, it's all there.

What makes Tellar different is the independence. They're not pushed by brands to recommend certain pieces—they focus purely on helping you find what genuinely fits and flatters your body. That's refreshingly rare in fashion retail.

My Final Phase Eight Wisdom

After fifteen years styling women for weddings, work events, and special occasions, here's what I know: Phase Eight makes beautiful, well-crafted pieces that photograph gorgeously and wear elegantly. But their sizing requires attention—particularly for occasion wear.

My top tips? Always check the fabric composition for stretch. Read customer reviews about fit. If you're between sizes on occasion dresses, size up. And most importantly, know your measurements and use tools like Tellar to eliminate the guesswork entirely.

I've watched too many women squeeze into dresses that technically zip but don't allow them to enjoy the event they're attending. The best outfit is always the one that fits you properly and lets you move, breathe, and feel confident. Phase Eight can absolutely deliver that—you just need the right size.

Use Tellar's Store Size Lookup, get your measurements right, and order with confidence. Your wardrobe—and your bank balance—will thank you.