How to Find Your Perfect Fit at Altuzarra

By Ella Blake | Tellar Fashion Hub

Altuzarra runs small and uses US sizing — UK shoppers should generally size up one to two sizes from their usual, and always cross-reference measurements before buying.

There's something about an Altuzarra piece that makes you feel like you've got life completely figured out. The cut is precise, the fabrics are gorgeous, and the whole aesthetic — a kind of effortlessly polished, Parisian-meets-New York sensibility — is just deeply, annoyingly aspirational. I say annoyingly because the sizing can genuinely catch you off guard if you're not prepared for it, and there are few things more deflating than a beautiful, expensive dress arriving and refusing to zip up.

I speak from experience. My first Altuzarra purchase — a silk midi skirt that I'd lusted after for an embarrassingly long time — arrived in what I thought was my size. It wasn't. The US sizing logic had completely passed me by. So, let me save you the faff.

The Altuzarra Sizing Basics: What You Need to Know

Altuzarra is an American luxury brand, founded by designer Joseph Altuzarra in New York in 2008. That matters because the brand uses US sizing, which doesn't map directly onto UK sizes — and the conversion trips people up constantly. Here's the straightforward conversion:

US 0 = UK 4 (XS)
US 2 = UK 6 (XS–S)
US 4 = UK 8 (S)
US 6 = UK 10 (S–M)
US 8 = UK 12 (M)
US 10 = UK 14 (M–L)
US 12 = UK 16 (L)

Beyond the conversion, the cuts themselves tend to run on the smaller side — particularly in tailoring, structured dresses, and bodysuits. If you're between two sizes in Altuzarra, size up. You can always tailor down; you can't tailor a seam that doesn't exist.

Category-by-Category Fit Guide

Altuzarra's range covers everything from knitwear to occasion dressing to outerwear, and the fit logic differs slightly across categories. Here's what I'd recommend:

Dresses & occasion wear: These are the pieces Altuzarra is most celebrated for, and they're cut close to the body — intentionally so. Size up one from your standard UK size, especially if you carry any volume in the chest or hips. The waist is usually nipped, so getting the hip measurement right is key.
Tailoring & blazers: Again, size up. Altuzarra's tailoring is structured and precise — it's not designed to stretch or give. If you want to layer underneath, size up two.
Knitwear: Slightly more forgiving, but still runs true-to-small. Your usual UK size converted to the US equivalent should work here, though check the bust measurement if you're fuller on top.
Trousers & skirts: Waist measurements are critical here. Go by the size guide measurements rather than the label — Altuzarra's waists are cut precisely and there's rarely much ease built in.
Outerwear: Size up one, and factor in what you'll be wearing underneath. Altuzarra coats are sleek and tailored rather than boxy, so there isn't much room to layer unless you account for it.

💡 Stylist tip: Altuzarra's size guide on their website gives chest, waist, and hip measurements in both inches and centimetres — always use these rather than relying on the size label alone. A measuring tape and two minutes will save you a very expensive return.

How Altuzarra Compares to Brands You Already Know

The most useful thing you can do is compare Altuzarra's sizing to labels you already wear confidently. Here's how I'd map it out:

Reiss — Reiss cuts fairly precisely and their sizes are reliable. If you're a Reiss 10, you'll likely be a US 6 (UK 10) in Altuzarra — but check the bust, as Reiss has slightly more ease in the chest.
Me&Em — Me&Em is a brilliant reference point because their sizing is consistent and their tailored pieces have a similar level of precision. A Me&Em 12 broadly aligns with Altuzarra US 8.
Jigsaw — Jigsaw cuts a slightly relaxed, grown-up silhouette. Their 12 is usually one size more generous than Altuzarra, so Jigsaw 12 wearers often find Altuzarra US 8 or even US 10 more comfortable.
Whistles — Whistles has a clean, fitted aesthetic and their sizing is reasonably true. A Whistles 10 is roughly a US 6 in Altuzarra for dresses and tailoring.
LK Bennett — LK Bennett tends to run slightly generous, particularly in dresses. If you're an LK Bennett 12, start with Altuzarra US 8 and check measurements carefully.
Massimo Dutti — A very comparable brand in terms of tailoring quality and fit precision. Their European sizing means a Massimo Dutti 38 (UK 10) is roughly an Altuzarra US 6.
Claudie Pierlot — The French sizing logic is similar to Altuzarra's close cuts. A Claudie Pierlot 38 typically aligns with Altuzarra US 6, though Claudie Pierlot can be slightly more generous in the hip.
Phase Eight — Phase Eight is generally more generous in the cut than Altuzarra. Their size 12 usually corresponds to Altuzarra US 8–10 depending on the style.
Hobbs — Hobbs sizes run fairly true to UK standard. Their 10 is a good starting point for Altuzarra US 6, but again — measure before you commit to anything fitted.

Two independent brands that sit in a similar aesthetic universe and whose sizing offers a really useful reference: Envelope 1976 — a Scandinavian label known for beautifully draped, precisely cut occasion wear, whose sizing is meticulous and closely comparable to Altuzarra's — and Nackiyé, a French luxury brand with similarly tailored silhouettes and a size guide that is genuinely one of the best in the business. If you know your Nackiyé size, you're well placed to order Altuzarra with confidence.

Where to Buy Altuzarra in the UK (and What to Watch For)

Altuzarra isn't stocked on the British high street, which means most UK shoppers are buying online — either directly from the Altuzarra site or through luxury multi-brand retailers like Net-a-Porter, Matches (RIP, but its spirit lives on in various forms), or Harrods. A few things to bear in mind:

Returns policies vary. Net-a-Porter has excellent returns, which makes it a safer bet for a first Altuzarra purchase. Buying direct can mean international return costs.
Duty and VAT. Ordering from the US Altuzarra site directly may incur import duty on top of the already significant price tag. Factor this in.
Pre-loved is a brilliant option. Altuzarra pieces are designed to last and hold their shape well. Sites like Vestiaire Collective and eBay's authenticated luxury section regularly have Altuzarra pieces in excellent condition — often in sizes that sold out elsewhere.
Sale timing. Altuzarra typically marks down twice yearly. Net-a-Porter's sale is usually the most accessible route to discounted pieces for UK shoppers.

My Honest Verdict

Altuzarra is genuinely worth the effort of getting the sizing right. Once you understand the US conversion and factor in the slightly close cut, the brand is actually very consistent — which makes subsequent purchases much less stressful. Buy one piece, get it right, and you'll have a reliable template for everything else. And please, for the love of good tailoring, take your measurements before you click buy. It takes ninety seconds and it will save you weeks of waiting for a return.

Take the Guesswork Out of Sizing — Try Tellar

Navigating US sizing conversions, close cuts, and luxury size guides is exactly the kind of thing that Tellar.co.uk was built to solve. It's the UK's leading clothing sizing platform — completely free, no app to download, works instantly in your browser — and it matches your exact measurements to over 1,500 brands in seconds.

How it works:

Measure once — your bust, waist, hips, or simply enter a size you already trust in a brand you know well.
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise recommended size across hundreds of brands — from high street to designer — all in one place. No more tab-switching between size guides.
It's always free. No subscription, no sign-up, no faff.

And when you want broader style advice, the Tellar Fashion Hub has you covered — a library of free, honest, unsponsored guides written by real stylists. No brand partnerships, no sponsored posts, just useful information. Worth bookmarking:

Honest. Independent. Always free. That's Tellar.