How to Find Your Size in Anna Davies

By Ella Blake - fashion stylist | Tellar Fashion Hub - Always honest, unbiased, & unsponsored post

Anna Davies runs true to a UK standard sizing template, but with a distinctly tailored cut through the bodice and waist — which means if you're between sizes, you'll almost always want to size up. I've seen this trip up so many women (myself included), and once you know the brand's particular approach to fit, shopping becomes an absolute pleasure rather than a guessing game.

Who Is Anna Davies — And Why Does Sizing Actually Matter Here?

Anna Davies is a Welsh-born designer whose eponymous label has quietly built a devoted following among women who want clothes that feel elegant without being stiff. The pieces are designed to be worn, not just admired — but that also means the construction is considered. There's structure where you need it, softness where you don't, and the sizing reflects that philosophy.

Unlike some high street brands that cut quite generously (I'm looking at you, certain denim brands where I'm confidently swimming in my usual size), Anna Davies cuts with a European sensibility: closer to the body, particularly around the bust and shoulder. If you're fuller in the chest or have broader shoulders, this is the first thing to factor in.

The Key Sizing Quirks You Need to Know

Bust measurement is your starting point. Anna Davies fits snugly through the upper body. If your bust measurement falls between two standard sizes, go up — a tighter chest is uncomfortable and visible in a way a slightly looser waist simply isn't.
The waist tends to run slightly small. The tailoring is intentional — structured pieces in particular have a defined waist that follows UK sizing closely but leaves very little ease. If you have more than an inch difference between your waist and the upper end of a size, size up and consider a tailor for the waist if needed.
Hip fit is generally more forgiving in dresses and skirts, as many styles use an A-line or bias cut below the waist. Trousers and fitted skirts are where to watch carefully.
Sleeve and shoulder fit matters hugely. The shoulder seam should sit exactly at your shoulder point — not drooping, not pulling. If you find yourself between sizes on the shoulder, prioritise the shoulder fit over everything else; a seamstress can take in a waist, but adjusting a shoulder is a far bigger job.

Ella's tip: I once ordered an Anna Davies-style tailored blazer two sizes down from my usual because it photographed so beautifully fitted on someone else. The chest buttons pulled, I couldn't raise my arms properly at dinner, and I had to return it in quiet embarrassment. The lesson? Know your measurements, not just your label size.

How to Measure Yourself for Anna Davies

You need three measurements — and a soft tape measure. Don't guess; it's genuinely worth the 90 seconds it takes.

Bust: Measure around the fullest part of your chest, keeping the tape horizontal. Don't hold your breath or pull it tight.
Waist: Measure your natural waist — typically an inch or so above your belly button, at the narrowest point. Stand relaxed, not sucked in.
Hips: Measure around the fullest part of your hips and bottom, usually about 8–9 inches below your natural waist.

Once you have these, compare them against the Anna Davies size chart. As a guide, a UK 12 typically corresponds to a 36" bust, 28" waist, and 38" hip — but always check the specific garment's measurements if listed, as cut varies between styles.

Dresses vs Tailoring vs Knitwear — Does the Sizing Differ?

Yes — and this is where it gets interesting. Like most considered brands, Anna Davies isn't uniform across all categories:

Dresses and fluid styles tend to be the most size-inclusive. The bias-cut and wrap styles in particular work across a wider range of bodies, and here your waist-to-hip ratio matters more than a single size number.
Tailored pieces — blazers, structured trousers, and fitted skirts — are where you must be most precise. This is structured clothing; it will show exactly where it doesn't fit.
Knitwear tends to have slightly more ease built in, though finer gauges can still feel snug in the bust area. If in doubt, go up one.

If You're an Unusual Shape — A Note From Personal Experience

I'm a fairly standard 10 on top and 12 on the bottom — what's sometimes called a pear shape — and this used to be my nemesis with tailored brands. With Anna Davies specifically, I've had real success buying the size that fits my hips and having the waist taken in on more structured pieces. It costs less than you'd think, and the result looks genuinely made-to-measure.

If you have broad shoulders and a smaller bust (an inverted triangle), size for the shoulder and look for pieces with adjustable or tie details at the waist — it makes all the difference.

High Street Alternatives That Nail a Similar Fit Aesthetic

Love the Anna Davies sensibility but want more accessible price points while you work out your sizing? These are my picks for brands that share that structured-but-wearable ethos:

ReissWhistlesMe&EmJigsawMassimo DuttiCosLK BennettHobbs

Reiss — probably the closest in ethos to Anna Davies on the high street. Tailored, considered, and the quality holds up. Their sizing is similarly close-fitting through the bodice, so the same rule applies: size up if in doubt on the bust.
Whistles — brilliant for intelligent dressing with a more relaxed feel. Generally more forgiving in the cut, making it a great entry point if you're working out what size you carry in tailored pieces.
Me&Em — a firm favourite of mine for everyday polish. Their jersey and ponte pieces run quite true to size, while tailored styles benefit from a half-size up approach.
Jigsaw — slightly more relaxed through the shoulder, which suits broader-shouldered women brilliantly. Consistently well-cut and honest about fit.
Massimo Dutti — European sizing, which tends to run a little small for UK women. Go up one from your usual UK size and you'll be perfectly placed.
Cos — architectural and minimal, similar to Anna Davies in its structural sensibility. Their fit tends to be more generous, so stick to your standard size or even consider a size down in looser styles.
LK Bennett — especially strong for occasion dressing and structured pieces. Sizes are consistently reliable and the brand is well-known for flattering cuts across a range of body shapes.
Hobbs — a classic choice for intelligent, wearable tailoring. Sizes well for the UK market and offers excellent fit guidance online.

Two Independent Picks Worth Knowing

Wyse London — a brilliant independent British brand producing beautifully designed knitwear and separates. Their sizing is reliably generous and the quality is excellent. A great option if you want considered dressing without designer price tags.
Kitri Studio — one of London's most exciting independent labels for structured, stylish womenswear. Sizes run fairly true to UK standard, and their size guides are detailed and genuinely useful. Highly recommend their tailored dresses in particular.

Never Guess Your Size Again — Try Tellar

Finding your perfect size in Anna Davies — or any of the 1,500+ brands on Tellar — doesn't have to mean endless returns and disappointing unboxings. Tellar.co.uk is the UK's leading free sizing tool, and it's genuinely one of the most useful things I've come across for taking the guesswork out of online shopping.

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Measure once — just your bust, waist, and hip measurements, or input your known size in a brand you already trust.
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