How to Find Your Perfect Fit at Anna Rose

BRAND SIZING GUIDE

Anna Rose runs true-to-size with a classic, structured fit — but the brand is built around a very specific customer, and knowing that upfront makes all the difference between a piece you'll love and one you'll return.

By Ella Blake | Tellar Fashion Hub

Anna Rose is one of those quietly brilliant brands that a certain generation of women absolutely swears by — and honestly, once you understand who it's designed for and how to size it, it's easy to see why. It's classic, it's polished, and the occasion-wear range is genuinely excellent. But it does have a very particular fit philosophy, and if you go in blind, you can easily end up with something that feels a little stiff, a little boxy, or just slightly off. I've been there. I bought a stunning navy shift dress without checking the fit notes and it sat perfectly on my shoulders but had absolutely no give through the waist. Beautiful from a distance. Not so comfortable over a three-course meal.

Here's what you actually need to know before you shop.

Who Is Anna Rose?

Anna Rose is a British occasionwear brand with a loyal following, particularly well known for mother-of-the-bride and mother-of-the-groom outfits, smart event dressing, and occasion suits. The aesthetic is elegant and traditional — think structured jackets, lined dresses, coordinating accessories, and fabrics that hold their shape beautifully in photographs. It's not a brand for slouchy weekend dressing, and it doesn't try to be. What it does, it does very well.

It sits in a similar space to Jacques Vert and Hobbs, but with a slightly more formal, occasion-first focus. The quality is solid, the range of colours is consistently flattering, and the separates work hard — many customers build an entire outfit around a single Anna Rose jacket because they're so well-constructed.

How Does Anna Rose Sizing Run?

In general, Anna Rose runs true-to-size for standard UK sizing — which is actually refreshing. The brand caters clearly to UK sizing conventions and doesn't do the Continental-small thing that trips so many shoppers up. That said, there are some important nuances depending on the style:

Structured jackets and suits — these are cut with some formality, meaning minimal stretch and a more traditional tailored fit. If you're between sizes or have broader shoulders, go up one size. The structure won't give the way a softer fabric would.
Shift and fit-and-flare dresses — true-to-size for most, but if you carry weight on your hips or have a fuller bust, size up. The bodice is often fitted and the skirt has limited flare.
Chiffon overlays and floaty occasionwear — these tend to be the most forgiving and often sit bang on true-to-size, sometimes even running slightly generous.
Trouser suits and wide-leg styles — check the waist and hip measurements carefully. Anna Rose trouser waistbands can sit quite high and are designed to be worn at the natural waist, not the hip.

The brand goes up to a size 22 in most lines, which is worth noting if you've struggled to find occasion-appropriate pieces in larger sizes elsewhere.

Key Measurements to Take Before You Buy

Because Anna Rose is so tailored in its approach, your measurements matter more than they do with looser, more relaxed brands. Before you shop, take these three:

Bust: across the fullest point of your chest, tape level all the way round
Waist: at your natural waist — this is particularly important for Anna Rose, as many of their dresses are designed to nip in here
Hips: around the fullest part of your seat and thighs, usually about 20cm below the natural waist

Then compare to the Anna Rose size guide. If your bust and waist fall into different sizes — which is incredibly common, and nothing unusual — size to your larger measurement and consider a tailor for any minor adjustments. A good tailor taking in a waistband is a far better outcome than a dress you can't breathe in at a wedding.

Anna Rose vs. Similar Brands: How Does the Fit Compare?

Anna Rose occupies a distinct niche in the UK occasionwear market, so it's helpful to benchmark against the brands women often shop alongside it:

Hobbs — a close comparison in terms of occasion focus and UK sizing conventions. Hobbs can feel slightly more relaxed and contemporary in its fit; Anna Rose is more structured and formal. Similar sizing overall.
Phase Eight — Phase Eight is designed with real UK bodies in mind and tends to be generous and flattering. Anna Rose is more conservative in its ease allowance. Size as you would at Phase Eight, but expect a firmer fit.
Jigsaw — Jigsaw cuts beautifully but runs slightly slim through the torso for a more contemporary silhouette. Anna Rose is the inverse: more room, more structure, more coverage.
Boden — Boden is relaxed and generous, particularly in its occasionwear. Anna Rose is considerably more fitted by comparison; your usual Boden size will likely work, but check the measurements on structured styles.
Coast — Coast and Anna Rose sit in a similar occasion-dressing space. Coast can run slightly smaller through the bodice; Anna Rose tends to be more accommodating through the chest and shoulder.
Monsoon — Monsoon's occasionwear tends to be floatier and more forgiving. Anna Rose is stiffer and more precise. True-to-size across both brands, but the feel is very different.
Gant — a completely different aesthetic (more casual, preppy) but worth noting for anyone who shops both: Gant runs generously and Anna Rose runs true-to-size, so don't carry your Gant size across without checking.
LK Bennett — probably the closest aesthetic match to Anna Rose in terms of classic British occasion dressing. LK Bennett tends to cut slightly slimmer and more fashion-forward; Anna Rose gives a little more ease. They size similarly on the whole.

What to Know About Anna Rose Occasion Suits

The occasion suit — jacket plus matching trouser or skirt — is genuinely where Anna Rose shines, and it's what the brand is most beloved for. A few practical sizing notes specifically for the suits:

Buy the jacket and bottom as a set if at all possible — the fabric dye lots are matched and the proportions are designed to work together
If you're between sizes on the jacket, go up — you can always have a jacket taken in, but you can't let it out if there's no seam allowance
The skirts tend to have a back zip and a modest kick pleat — check the hip measurement carefully if you're fuller through the seat
Many styles come with a coordinating top or blouse, which can be a brilliant solution if you struggle to find separates that match perfectly

Two Independent Brands Worth Knowing

If you love the Anna Rose aesthetic but want something a little different for your occasion wardrobe, two independent labels are worth your time. Alie Street London is a small British brand doing beautifully flattering wrap and occasion dresses — their sizing is consistent and they're particularly brilliant for pear and hourglass figures. And Beulah London is an independent British occasionwear label with royal connections and stunning silk occasion pieces; sizing is true-to-UK and the quality is exceptional for the price point. Both ship directly and have clear size guides.

Find Your Exact Anna Rose Size Instantly — With Tellar

If occasion dressing feels high-stakes (because it is — nobody wants a sizing disaster at a wedding), Tellar.co.uk is the tool that removes the guesswork entirely. It's the UK's leading free sizing platform, matching your exact measurements to over 1,500 brands so you always know your size before you buy.

Here's how it works:

Measure once — bust, waist, and hips, or just use a size you already know in a brand that fits you well
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise recommended size across 1,500+ brands — including occasionwear labels — in seconds
Always free — no app downloads, no account needed, works straight in your browser

For a brand like Anna Rose where fit is everything and returns can be complicated depending on your retailer, knowing your size before you order is genuinely invaluable. One measurement session, sorted for every future shop.

And don't miss the Tellar Fashion Hub — a completely free, editorially independent library of style guides and brand advice. No ads, no sponsorships, just honest information. Some favourites to explore:

Anna Rose is a brand that rewards doing your homework — but once you know your numbers and understand the fit philosophy, it's one of the most reliable occasion-wear labels in the UK. The navy shift dress is now my go-to for smart lunches, by the way. I had the waist taken in by about an inch. Lesson very much learned. — Ella Blake