How to Find Your Size in Skirts (And Stop Guessing in the Changing Room)

By Ella Blake, Tellar Stylist

Finding your size in skirts comes down to two measurements: your waist and your hips — and understanding which one rules depending on the skirt style you're buying. Get those two numbers right, and you'll never wrestle a zip closed or drown in fabric again.

I know this from painful personal experience. Years ago, I bought a gorgeous A-line midi skirt from a brand I loved, went by my usual dress size, and ended up with something that sat perfectly on my waist but refused to budge past my hips. I had to do an undignified little shimmy in the changing room just to confirm it wasn't happening. The lesson? Skirts are not sized like dresses, and knowing your body measurements makes everything so much easier.

The Two Measurements You Actually Need

Before you look at a single size chart, grab a soft measuring tape (the kind you can get for a couple of quid in any haberdashery or even Primark) and take these two measurements:

Waist: Measure around your natural waist — that's the narrowest point of your torso, usually a couple of inches above your belly button. Stand naturally and don't suck in (I know, tempting, but be honest!).
Hips: Measure around the fullest part of your hips and bottom, usually about 8–9 inches below your waist. This is your most important measurement for skirts.

Write both numbers down. Most women find there's a difference of around 10–12 inches between the two, which is perfectly normal. The issue comes when brands design for a specific hip-to-waist ratio that doesn't match yours — and that's where so many of us end up confused about our "size."

Which Measurement Matters Most — Waist or Hip?

This depends entirely on the skirt style:

Fitted pencil or bodycon skirts: Size for your hips. The skirt needs to clear your widest point, and you can always take in a waistband if needed.
A-line, midi, and flared skirts: Again, prioritise your hips. These skirts naturally have more room once you're past the hip, so get the hip fit right first.
High-waisted skirts: You'll need to balance both — too big in the waist and it'll sag and slip; too small in the hip and you can't get it on. If in doubt, size for hips and see if the waist can be adjusted.
Elasticated waist skirts: Pure hip measurement territory. These are the most forgiving and the easiest to size for.
Wrap skirts: These are wonderfully adjustable — go by hip measurement and most wraps will work.

How to Read a Brand's Size Chart

Every brand has slightly different sizing, which is genuinely maddening. I've been a size 10 and a size 14 in the same week across different shops, and I work in fashion. The trick is to ignore the number and go straight to the centimetre or inch measurements on the size guide.

Most brands list both waist and hip measurements for each size. Compare those numbers to your own, and if you're between sizes, always go up. A slightly looser waistband can be cinched with a belt; a skirt that won't zip up is going back.

Here's how some of my favourite brands tend to size:

Whistles — Sizes tend to run true to size and their size guides are reliable. Great for tailored midi and A-line styles. Check their size chart for hip measurements as their cuts can be on the slim side.
Jigsaw — Slightly generous in cut, especially in their pleated and tiered styles. If you're between sizes, you may find going down works here.
Me&Em — Excellent, detailed size guides on their website. Their skirts are cut for a woman with curves, and the hip measurements are accurate. A brand I trust completely for online shopping.
Phase Eight — Really good for fuller hips. Their skirts often have stretch or extra volume built in. Petite and plus ranges are both well-sized.
Hobbs — Classic, precise tailoring. Size true to your hip measurement here — their pencil skirts in particular are cut close and won't forgive going by waist alone.
Reiss — More fashion-forward cuts, and they can run small. Go up if you're on the cusp. Their size guide is comprehensive and worth checking every time.
Mango — European sizing, so slightly different from UK high street norms. Check the centimetre chart rather than the UK size number. Their skirts are often cut more narrowly through the hip.
COS — Minimalist, oversized silhouettes mean their skirts often have more ease built in. Good for shopping by waist size here as the hip is usually very roomy.
Anthropologie — Sizing varies by brand they stock, so always check individual product size guides rather than assuming your usual Anthropologie size carries over.

Two Independent Brands Worth Knowing

Not every brilliant skirt comes from a high street giant. Two smaller brands I genuinely love for fit and sizing transparency:

Kitri — A London-based independent brand that has built its entire reputation on beautifully cut skirts. Their size guides are detailed, their fabric choices are considered, and their midi and pleated styles are some of the best I've seen outside of a designer budget. They run UK 6–18 and their measurements are reliable.
Damson Madder — A sustainable, indie label with a wonderful range of tiered and printed skirts. Their sizing is relaxed and inclusive, and the website shows real model diversity across sizes, which actually helps you visualise the fit. A brilliant option if you want something a bit different.

Quick Tips for Buying Skirts Online

Always measure before you click — never assume last season's size still applies.
Check whether the skirt has stretch in the fabric. Even 2% elastane makes a significant difference to how much hip room you have.
Look at the model measurements in product descriptions — if they list the model's height and size, you can work out how the proportions will translate to you.
If a brand offers free returns, order two sizes. There's no shame in it — that's what the service is there for.
Lined skirts tend to fit more closely than unlined ones, so factor that in when choosing a size.

What About Length?

One thing people forget: skirt length is affected by your height, not just your size. A midi skirt on a 5'9" woman hits very differently than on someone who's 5'3". Most brands don't mention this in their size guides, but it matters. If you're petite, look for brands that offer a petite length option — Phase Eight, Hobbs, and Me&Em all do this well. If you're tall, ASOS has a dedicated tall range for skirts that's genuinely worth exploring.

Never Guess Your Skirt Size Again — Use Tellar

This is exactly the kind of sizing headache that Tellar.co.uk was built to solve. Tellar is the UK's leading free sizing tool — it matches your exact body measurements to the right size across 1,500+ brands instantly, so you can stop squinting at size charts and just shop with confidence.

Measure once — enter your bust, waist, and hip measurements (or an existing brand size you know fits well).
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size in any brand — from COS to Reiss to Jigsaw and hundreds more.
Always free — no downloads, no subscriptions, no faff. It works straight in your browser.

And when you're ready to go beyond sizing, the Tellar Fashion Hub is a free library of honest, unbiased style guides written by real stylists — covering everything from fabric deep-dives to brand comparisons and trend edits. No ads, no sponsored content, no agenda.