How to Find Your Size in Wrap Dresses (and Why Your Usual Size Might Let You Down)

By Ella Blake, Tellar Stylist

Finding your size in a wrap dress comes down to one measurement above all others: your bust. Unlike most dresses, wrap styles are open-fronted and held in place by a tie — which means the fit lives or dies at the chest. Get that right and the rest adjusts naturally. Get it wrong and you'll spend the entire day either flashing people or looking like you're wrapped in a pillowcase. Trust me, I've done both.

Why Wrap Dresses Fit Differently to Everything Else in Your Wardrobe

The wrap dress is one of those brilliant, forgiving silhouettes that suits an enormous range of body shapes — but forgiving doesn't mean one-size-fits-all. The structure relies on the wrap pulling taut across the bust and then falling gracefully from the waist. If the bust is too small, the dress gaps open (a mortifying moment I experienced at a friend's garden party in a DVF-inspired Reiss number — I was essentially offering a free show all afternoon). If it's too large, the wrap won't hold its shape and the whole thing looks shapeless.

The other thing worth understanding is that wrap dresses tend to be cut generously through the skirt — that's intentional, to allow for movement and drape. So don't panic if the skirt looks enormous on the hanger. It's supposed to.

Step One: Measure Your Bust — This Is Non-Negotiable

Stand in your usual bra and measure around the fullest part of your chest, keeping the tape parallel to the floor. Don't pull it tight — you want a relaxed measurement. This is your key number for wrap dress sizing.

Then take your waist measurement (at the narrowest point) and your hip measurement (around the fullest part of your bottom). You probably won't need all three, but having them handy means you can cross-reference if a brand's size chart covers multiple points.

Step Two: Know What Type of Wrap Dress You're Buying

Not all wrap dresses behave the same way, and the construction affects how you size:

True wrap dresses — fully open at the front, fastened only by a tie. Size purely by bust. These offer the most flexibility but also the most risk of gaping if undersized.
Faux wrap dresses — look like a wrap but are actually sewn into place, often with a fixed bodice. These size more like a standard dress; use your bust and waist together.
Wrap-effect jersey dresses — made in stretchy fabric (usually viscose or jersey). These are the most forgiving. You can often stay within your usual size range, but go by bust first.
Woven wrap dresses (silk, satin, crepe) — zero stretch, so precise fit matters more. Always measure and compare against the brand's size chart.

The Bust-to-Hip Problem (and How to Solve It)

This is genuinely the most common wrap dress frustration I hear from clients: "It fits my bust but there's not enough fabric over the hip," or conversely, "It fits my hips but gapes across the chest." Welcome to the classic proportional fit challenge.

If you're fuller in the bust relative to your hips — size for your bust and tie the wrap more loosely at the waist for a softer silhouette. If you're fuller in the hip — size for your hips and pin the wrap discreetly at the bust with a small hook-and-eye or fashion tape. It's a five-minute fix that makes a huge difference.

If the gap is significant — say, more than two sizes between your bust and hip — look for brands that offer wrap dresses in separate bodice and skirt sizing, or consider a faux wrap style which gives you more control over the fit.

High Street Brands — How Their Wrap Dresses Size Up

I've pulled together the most useful sizing notes for the brands that do wrap dresses well:

Whistles — their wrap dresses are beautifully cut in quality woven fabrics. Sizing runs true, but they cut slightly slim through the bust. If you're a D cup or above, go up one size.
Reiss — excellent quality and very consistent sizing. Their wrap styles are more structured and tend to suit a medium to full bust well. Size as per your bust measurement.
Phase Eight — one of the best high street brands for wrap dresses, full stop. They cater brilliantly for curvier figures and their sizing is generous and consistent. True to size across bust and hip.
Hobbs — classic, well-made wrap dresses that run true to size. Their jersey wrap styles are particularly good for everyday wear and size predictably.
Mint Velvet — their wrap and wrap-effect dresses are a reliable choice. They run true to size and often have beautiful drape. Good for fuller busts as the wrap gives more coverage than many alternatives.
Me&Em — premium high street with excellent construction. Their wraps tend to run slightly generous; if you're between sizes, go down. Brilliant for petite to average heights.
Anthropologie — huge range of wrap styles, mostly in floaty woven fabrics. Sizing can vary significantly by brand; always check individual product measurements rather than relying on your usual Anthropologie size.
Boden — reliable, honest sizing and their wrap dresses are a perennial favourite. They cut well for a range of bust sizes and clearly label fit notes on each product. True to size.

Premium and Designer Options: What Changes at a Higher Price Point

Premium wrap dresses are typically cut in higher-quality fabrics with more precise tailoring — which actually makes sizing easier because the construction is more consistent.

Diane von Furstenberg — the original wrap dress brand, and still one of the best. Their sizing runs slightly small through the bust; go up one size if you're between measurements. Worth using their detailed size chart as they provide actual garment measurements.
Reformation — a favourite for wrap styles in sustainable fabrics. They run small, particularly through the bust and hip. Size up at least one, sometimes two if you're curvier. Their size guide is very detailed — use it.
LK Bennett — elegant, occasion-ready wrap dresses with excellent cut. They size true to UK sizing and are particularly well-cut for those who want a more polished, structured result.

Two Independent Brands Worth Knowing

Alongside the big names, these two smaller brands do exceptional wrap dresses and are well worth your attention:

Ghost London (ghost.co.uk) — an iconic British brand that has been making bias-cut and wrap-style dresses in their signature satin-touch fabric for decades. Their sizing is consistent and they provide a good size guide. They run true to size and the fabric's natural drape is incredibly flattering on almost every body shape.
Kitri Studio (kitristudio.com) — an independent London-based brand with beautifully designed wrap dresses in limited runs. They use UK standard sizing and run true, but their bodices tend to be cut for a B–C cup. If you're fuller in the bust, contact them before ordering — their customer service is genuinely brilliant and will advise you honestly.

Quick-Fire Wrap Dress Sizing Rules

Always size by bust first in a true wrap dress — it's the anchor point for the whole fit.
In jersey or stretch fabrics, you can stay true to your usual size or size down — stretch does a lot of the work.
In woven or non-stretch fabrics, measure and compare against the brand's size guide every single time.
If you're between sizes, go up — a slightly generous wrap looks intentional and elegant; a too-tight one will gap at the bust.
Fashion tape is a wrap dress essential — buy some and keep it in your bag. It'll save you from the accidental flash moment every time.
Check the length as well as the fit — wrap dresses can look very different depending on where they hit your leg, especially if you're petite or tall.

Stop Guessing Your Size — Let Tellar Do the Work

If wrap dress sizing has ever defeated you — and honestly, it defeats most people at least once — Tellar.co.uk is the answer. It's the UK's leading free sizing tool, matching your exact measurements to 1,500+ brands instantly. No downloads, no subscriptions, no size lottery.

Measure once — bust, waist, hip or your existing brand size
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size in any brand — Phase Eight, Whistles, Reiss, Hobbs, LK Bennett and hundreds more
Always free — works in-browser, no account needed

And if you're looking for more style guidance, the Tellar Fashion Hub is packed with free, honest, unbiased posts from our in-house stylists. No ads, no sponsorship — just straight-talking fashion advice.