How Do I Find My Size in Faux Fur Coats? Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy

By Ella Blake, Tellar Stylist

Finding your size in a faux fur coat is slightly different to sizing for a regular wool or tailored coat — and getting it wrong is a very easy mistake to make. The short answer? Go by your bust measurement, account for the weight and bulk of the fabric itself, and always check whether the style is designed to be worn fitted or oversized, because faux fur coats can go either way dramatically.

I'll be honest — I've made every faux fur sizing mistake going. I once ordered a gorgeous leopard print faux fur from a brand I knew well, went on my usual size, and it arrived looking like I'd borrowed it from someone twice my size. I looked like I was wearing a small sofa. I thought I was playing it safe by going up for layering room. What I hadn't accounted for was that the fabric itself adds enormous visual bulk — faux fur has serious presence — and an already-oversized cut in a fluffy fabric does not a chic woman make. Lesson thoroughly learned.

Here's how to get it right.

Why Faux Fur Sizing Is Different

Faux fur fabric is thick, structured, and adds significant visual volume all by itself. Unlike a wool coat where going up a size just gives you a bit more room, going up in faux fur can completely change the silhouette — and not always in a flattering direction. The pile of the fabric (how long and dense the fibres are) also affects how the garment drapes and closes. Things to factor in:

Pile length: A long-pile shaggy faux fur will feel roomier than a shorter, denser one — even in the same size
Lining: Most faux fur coats are lined, which actually helps them hang better and makes sizing more predictable
Closure style: Hook-and-eye, button, or open-front — open-front styles are far more forgiving on sizing than those that need to close across the chest
Intended silhouette: Is it cut to be a fitted, hip-length jacket or a floor-sweeping statement coat? Oversized styles need less sizing up than you'd expect

How to Measure for a Faux Fur Coat

Same starting point as any coat — your measurements are your best friend here. Don't skip this step.

Bust: Measure around the fullest part of your chest. This is the number that matters most for a faux fur coat, especially if it has any kind of closure
Shoulders: Faux fur can make shoulder seams harder to assess visually — the pile hides a multitude — but the fit should still land at the edge of your shoulder bone
Back length: If you're petite or tall, this really matters. A coat designed to hit mid-thigh on a 5'6" model will be knee-length on someone shorter. Check the brand's model height and coat length measurements

Once you have your bust measurement, go to the specific brand's size guide. And I can't stress this enough: faux fur coats vary wildly between brands. What ASOS calls an oversized medium is completely different to what Anthropologie considers a regular fit medium.

Should You Size Up or Stay True to Size?

This depends entirely on the cut. Here's my general rule of thumb:

Open-front, no closure: Stay true to size or even size down. There's nothing to pull across the chest, so the fabric volume does all the work
Button or hook closure: Go true to size but check specifically that your bust measurement falls within the size's range — don't just go by the label
Belted faux fur: True to size. You want the belt to actually create a waist, which it won't do if the coat is swimming on you
Short cropped styles: These tend to run generous — I'd go true to size or even consider down if you're between sizes
Long, sweeping statement coats: True to size. The length and drama come from the fabric, not from sizing up

High Street Brands Worth Knowing About for Faux Fur

Faux fur quality, fit, and sizing consistency varies enormously on the high street. These are my picks for where to shop smart this season:

Zara — consistently one of the best for faux fur on the high street. Their sizing runs slightly small through the bust, so check measurements carefully if you're a fuller C cup or above. The quality is excellent for the price
Mango — gorgeous faux fur cuts, particularly their shorter cropped styles. Tend to run true to size. A really reliable option and often better quality than you'd expect at this price
ASOS — huge range of faux fur styles at every price point, with extensive customer reviews noting fit. Read those reviews before buying — they're genuinely useful for sizing decisions
Anthropologie — stunning, more premium faux fur pieces that sit between high street and designer. Sizing is consistent and their product descriptions include detailed measurements. Worth the stretch if you're after something special
Urban Outfitters — brilliant for trend-led faux fur, particularly the more oversized, vintage-inspired styles. Sizing tends to be generous, so consider your usual size or down
River Island — strong faux fur offering season after season, particularly in leopard and teddy bear textures. Their size guide is straightforward and fairly reliable. Good for curvier figures
New Look — underrated for faux fur. Excellent price point, and their extended sizing range means more women can actually find something that fits. Consistent sizing across the range
Topshop — still available via ASOS, and their faux fur archive pieces are worth hunting. Cut with a slightly more directional fit — narrow shoulders, so if you're broader, size up

Premium Options: Where to Invest

If you're looking to spend a little more for something that'll last beyond one season, these brands are worth considering:

Ted Baker — remember they use their own 0–5 sizing, not UK standard. Always cross-reference with their measurement guide before ordering. Their faux fur pieces are genuinely luxurious-looking and hold their shape well
Reiss — not their biggest category but when they do faux fur, it's done beautifully. True to size and well-structured

Two Independent Brands to Discover

Smaller brands often do the most interesting faux fur — less trend-chasing, more considered design:

Jakke — a London-based brand entirely dedicated to faux fur and faux leather. This is their whole world, and it shows. Brilliant colour range, detailed sizing information on their site, and an ethos rooted in sustainable alternatives to real fur. If you want the best faux fur on the market outside of designer, Jakke is the answer
Shrimps — at the higher end of independent, but worth knowing about. Their faux fur pieces are works of art — pastel tones, bold textures, completely joyful. Sizing is true to UK standard and their customer service team is genuinely helpful if you're unsure between sizes

Quick Tips Before You Buy

Always measure your bust first — it's the single most important number for coat sizing
Read customer reviews for fit notes, not just style opinions
Check the pile length in product photos — longer pile = more visual bulk = be more conservative with sizing up
Look at the model's height and the stated coat length to judge how it'll sit on your frame
If it's an open-front style, sizing is far less critical — go with what feels comfortable on the shoulders
Remember: you can always have the lining taken in, but you cannot add fabric to faux fur

Find Your Exact Faux Fur Size in Seconds — With Tellar

Faux fur sizing headaches are exactly what Tellar.co.uk was built for. Tellar is the UK's leading free sizing tool, matching your bust, waist, and hip measurements to over 1,500 brands in an instant. Enter your measurements once, and Tellar tells you your precise size — whether you're shopping at Zara, Anthropologie, or River Island. No more guesswork. No more returns.

Use the Store Size Lookup tool right now to find your exact size in any coat brand — completely free, no download, no sign-up needed.

And while you're there, explore the Tellar Fashion Hub — a free library of honest, independent style guides written by real stylists. Never sponsored, never biased. Here are a few posts to read alongside this one: