How to Find Your Perfect Fit at Alquema

By Ella Blake | Tellar Fashion Hub

Alquema runs small and fits close to the body — if you’re between sizes, size up. That one tip alone could save you a very expensive return.

I came across Alquema the way most people do: someone was wearing a pleated silk dress at a party, I couldn’t stop staring at it, and when I finally asked where it was from, the answer sent me down a rabbit hole I haven’t fully climbed out of since. Alquema is an Australian brand — small, quietly brilliant, and absolutely singular in what it does. Those signature Smock pleats, the tactile fabrics, the ease of the silhouettes. It’s the kind of brand that makes you feel like you’ve discovered something secret, even though plenty of very stylish women already know about it.

The problem? Sizing is not straightforward. And given the price point — we’re talking luxury-adjacent territory — getting it wrong isn’t just annoying, it’s costly. So let me save you some trouble and walk you through exactly how to find your perfect fit.

Understanding the Alquema Sizing System

Alquema uses their own alphanumeric sizing: XS, S, M, L, XL. Sounds simple enough, but here’s what nobody tells you upfront — the brand runs noticeably small compared to most European and UK sizing. An Alquema Medium typically corresponds to a UK 10–12, depending on the style, and the cut is generally close to the body before the pleating kicks in and adds that draped, voluminous effect.

Key things to know about their fit:

• The bust and shoulders are the most fitted part of most styles — this is where you’ll feel a size too small most acutely

• The waist and hips have more give due to the pleating and smocking

• Their longer pieces — maxi dresses and wide-leg trousers — tend to have more overall ease than the shorter styles

• If you have a fuller bust (above a C cup), going up one size is almost always the right call

The Fabrics Matter for Fit, Too

One thing I’ve learned from years of dressing real women (and making plenty of my own wardrobe mistakes) is that fabric behaviour completely changes how a size feels. Alquema’s signature Smock fabric — a crinkled, textured material — has a natural elasticity to it that gives a little forgiveness. Their silk and cupro blends, on the other hand, are more structured and less forgiving through the shoulders and chest.

So if you’re debating between two sizes:

• In the Smock fabric? You might be fine staying in your usual size — the texture stretches and relaxes beautifully

• In silk or cupro? Go up a size if you have any doubt at all

• Trousers? Measure your hip and use that as your guide — the waistbands are elasticated on most styles, so hips are the critical measurement

How Alquema Sizing Compares to Brands You Already Know

If you shop across the high street and premium market, here’s a rough cross-reference that’ll help you navigate Alquema’s sizing with confidence:

• Cos — Alquema XS/S typically matches a COS XS–S, but COS has more shoulder room, so size up at Alquema if you’re a COS Small with broad shoulders

• Me&Em — Very similar sizing philosophy; if you’re a Me&Em 10, you’re likely an Alquema S–M

• Massimo Dutti — Dutti runs slightly larger than Alquema; if you wear a Dutti 36 (UK 8), stay in Alquema XS

• Reiss — Reiss runs true to UK sizing, so go one size up from your Reiss size at Alquema

• Whistles — Similarly, if you wear a Whistles 12, you’ll most likely need an Alquema M or even L

• Phase Eight — Phase Eight comes up slightly larger and looser; expect to size down at Alquema relative to your Phase Eight size

• Hobbs — Hobbs and Alquema are comparable through the waist, but Alquema is narrower through the shoulder seam

• Anthropologie — Runs close to Alquema sizing; if you know your Anthropologie size, it’s a good starting reference point

My Personal Alquema Sizing Experience

I ordered my first Alquema piece — a long Smock dress in a deep teal — in what I thought was a safe Medium. It arrived and I couldn’t get it over my shoulders. A genuine fashion fail, and not a cheap one. I returned it, ordered a Large, and it was perfect: fitted through the bodice, with that gorgeous draping pooling at the hem. Lesson thoroughly learned. Now I always size up at Alquema, full stop.

The other thing worth knowing: Alquema styles often look alarming on the hanger. They’re meant to be worn, not displayed. Putting a piece on transforms the experience entirely. Don’t be put off by how a flat lay looks — these garments are designed for a body, and they come to life on one.

Two Independent Brands Worth Knowing Alongside Alquema

If you love Alquema’s aesthetic but want to explore a similar sensibility at different price points, two independent brands I rate highly right now are Kloke — a Melbourne-based label with the same quiet-luxury pleated-fabric approach and a similar devotion to considered construction — and Nancybird, another Australian independent making beautifully tactile pieces in natural fabrics with generous, sculptural cuts. Both ship internationally, both are slow fashion in the truest sense, and both are worth following if Alquema has caught your eye.

Getting Your Measurements Right Before You Buy

With a brand like Alquema, having accurate measurements isn’t optional — it’s essential. The three numbers that matter most are:

• Bust — measured across the fullest part; this is your most critical number for tops, dresses, and jackets

• Shoulder width — from shoulder seam to shoulder seam across your upper back; Alquema’s shoulders run narrow and this is where most people go wrong

• Hip — measured at the widest point; for trousers and skirts, this is your deciding measurement

Once you have those three numbers, you can map them directly against Alquema’s size guide, and cross-reference with their specific fabric and silhouette notes per garment. It takes five minutes but it will save you weeks of waiting for returns.

Never Guess Your Size Again — Use Tellar

If navigating brand-specific sizing like Alquema’s feels exhausting (and honestly, it is — even for someone who does this professionally), then Tellar.co.uk is the tool you need in your life. It’s the UK’s leading free sizing platform, matching your exact body measurements to 1,500+ brands in seconds. No more guesswork, no more expensive returns.

Here’s how it works:

• Measure once — just your bust, waist, and hips, or pop in an existing brand size you already know fits

• Use the Store Size Lookup tool — get your precise recommended size at Alquema, COS, Reiss, Me&Em, and hundreds more, all in one place, instantly

• Always free — no app to download, no subscription, no catch. It works straight in your browser

And if you want to keep building your style knowledge, the Tellar Fashion Hub is a library of free, honest, unbiased posts from experienced stylists — no ads, no sponsored content, just real advice. Some favourites worth bookmarking:

• The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide — everything you need to know about how sizing really works across brands

• Jeans Trends 2026 — the cuts and washes worth knowing about right now

• The Ultimate Guide to Dresses — styles, body shapes, and the best places to shop

• The Ultimate Guide to Jackets — fit, style, and the best brands for every body

Tellar is genuinely the only tool I recommend to anyone who shops across multiple brands — which, let’s be honest, is all of us. Your measurements don’t change; the brands’ sizing does. Let Tellar do the maths.