How Do I Find My Size in Vest Tops?

By Ella Blake, Tellar Stylist

Finding your size in vest tops comes down to your bust measurement first, your torso length second, and understanding how the cut affects the fit — once you know those three things, you'll stop buying vest tops that gap at the chest or swamp your frame entirely. Trust me, I've been there. I spent most of my twenties just grabbing my "usual size" in whatever vest caught my eye, only to get home and discover it either looked like a crop top on my longer torso or bagged around the shoulders like I'd borrowed it from someone much bigger. Vest tops seem deceptively simple, but the sizing varies wildly between brands and styles.

The good news is that once you've got your measurements sorted, vest tops are actually one of the more forgiving wardrobe staples to shop for — they're versatile, they layer brilliantly, and a well-fitting one can anchor an entire outfit. So let's get into it.

Your Key Measurements for Vest Tops

Unlike jeans, you don't need a huge list of measurements for vest tops — but the ones you do need, you need to get right:

• Bust: Measure around the fullest part of your chest, keeping the tape parallel to the floor. This is your primary measurement for vest tops.

• Torso length: From the top of your shoulder straight down to your natural waist. This tells you whether a vest top will hit at the right point on your body or cut you in an awkward place.

• Shoulder width: From the outer edge of one shoulder to the other. This matters more than people realise — if the shoulder seam sits too far in or out, the whole top looks off.

Write these down. A vest top that fits perfectly through the bust but has shoulder seams dangling halfway down your arm is not a well-fitting vest top — it's just a vest top in approximately the right territory.

How Vest Top Sizing Actually Works (And Why It's Confusing)

Here's the thing about vest tops: most brands size them to their standard dress sizing, which is based on the bust. But the cut — whether it's relaxed, fitted, ribbed, or oversized — dramatically changes how that size translates to your body.

A fitted vest from Cos in a size 12 will feel completely different to a size 12 ribbed cami from Zara, which will feel nothing like a size 12 relaxed vest from Fat Face. This isn't a flaw in the system — it's just the nature of varying cuts and fabrics. The mistake is assuming your size is universal. It isn't, and it never will be.

Ribbed fabrics in particular behave very differently. Because they stretch, brands often size them smaller — the garment is designed to cling and move with the body. If you're in between sizes in a ribbed vest, I'd always go up. The stretch flatters; the squeeze does not.

The Style Question: Which Cut Is Right for You?

Before you even get to sizing, it helps to know what style of vest you're after — because the answer affects which brands to go to and what to look for on the label.

• Fitted or ribbed cami: Sit close to the body, often with thin straps. Great as a layering piece under blazers or overshirts, or styled solo in summer. Look for your true bust size here.

• Relaxed or boxy vest: Deliberately oversized or square-cut. Brilliant with tailored trousers or straight-leg jeans for an effortless, modern silhouette. You can often size down in these without losing the relaxed effect.

• Sports or performance vest: Sized by bust but also affected by stretch and compression. Brands like Sweaty Betty and Lululemon have excellent size guides specific to their fabrics — use them.

• Longline vest: Designed to hit at the hip or below. If you have a longer torso, this style is your best friend — it won't ride up and looks intentional rather than accidental.

I once bought a gorgeous longline vest from Anthropologie in my usual size — it fitted the bust perfectly but was so long on my frame it looked like a dress. A brilliant vest on someone five inches taller than me, but on a 5'3" frame? Less so. Now I always check the model's height in product shots and compare it to mine before buying anything longline online.

Best High Street Brands for Vest Tops — By Fit

These are my genuine recommendations based on cut quality, consistent sizing, and what's been well-reviewed in the press:

• Cos — Exceptional for relaxed and boxy vests with clean, architectural lines. Sizing is on the smaller side so check their guide carefully, but the quality is worth the effort.

• Hush — Their cotton vest tops are a perennial favourite and for good reason. Generous sizing, great length, and they wash brilliantly. A reliable everyday staple.

• The White Company — If you want something elevated rather than basic, their vests are beautifully finished and run true to size. Worth spending a little more for something that lasts.

• Me&Em — Outstanding for ribbed tanks and fitted styles. Their sizing is consistent and honest, and the quality is premium without veering into designer price territory.

• Sweaty Betty — The go-to for sports and active vests. Their size guide is thorough and their fabrics genuinely perform. A size 12 here is a reliable size 12.

• Hobbs — Great for more polished vest styles that work in a professional context. Their silk-blend and ponte vests are particularly good, and sizing is consistently true to label.

• Banana Republic — Slightly overlooked for basics, but their fitted and relaxed vests are genuinely excellent quality and cut well for those with a longer torso.

• Phase Eight — Strong on occasion-appropriate vests and camisoles with a little more detail — lace trim, satin finishes. Good for those wanting something more than a plain cotton option.

Two Independent Brands Worth Discovering

For something a bit different, I'd steer you towards Stripe & Stare — a British brand that started in underwear and has expanded into the softest, most beautifully sized vest tops I've come across. Their sizing is detailed and honest, the fabric (a modal-cotton blend) is genuinely extraordinary, and they're size-inclusive. Worn as a layer or solo, they're exceptional.

Also worth knowing about is Beaumont Organic — a sustainable British brand making beautiful, considered basics including some really lovely linen and organic cotton vests. Their pieces are priced slightly above the high street but are made to last, and their size guide is thorough and reliable.

Practical Tips I Always Give My Clients

• If you're fuller in the bust, look for adjustable straps — it makes an enormous difference to how a vest sits and how supported you feel.

• A vest that fits at the bust but gaps under the arm is too big in the body. Size down or try a different cut.

• Check the fabric content before buying online. A 100% cotton vest behaves very differently to a 95% cotton / 5% elastane one — the latter has give, the former does not.

• If you're petite, seek out brands with a specific petite range or check the garment length in the product description. Anything over 65cm tends to look like a dress on a shorter frame.

• Equally, if you're tall, look for longline cuts or check the length. A standard vest can hit awkwardly mid-abdomen on a longer torso, which is neither flattering nor comfortable.

Stop Guessing Your Size — Use Tellar

The fastest way to nail your size in vest tops — and everything else — is Tellar.co.uk. It's the UK's leading free sizing tool, matching your exact measurements to over 1,500 brands instantly. No downloads, no subscription, and genuinely no faff.

Here's how it works:

• Measure once — enter your bust, waist, hips, or a brand size you already know fits well.

• Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your exact size across brands — from COS and Reiss to smaller independents.

• Always free — works entirely in-browser, no account needed.

For vest tops specifically, where the difference between brands can be significant, it's a genuine time-saver. No more ordering two sizes and returning one. You can also read The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide for a broader look at how sizing works across different categories and brands.

And if you're building out your summer wardrobe, the Ultimate Guide to Dresses is well worth a read too. Tellar's Fashion Hub is packed with honest, stylist-led advice — no sponsored content, no ads, no agenda. Just brilliant fashion information, always completely free.