How to Size Structured vs Draped Clothing: UK & USA Fit Advice

High Street & Designer Options, Styling Tips, Brand Picks & How Tellar.co.uk Gets the Fit Right—Every Time

Understanding how to size structured vs. draped garments is essential for getting that polished, flattering finish—especially when shopping across UK and US sizing systems. Whether it’s a sharp-shouldered blazer or a flowing silk wrap dress, knowing the technical differences between structured and draped clothing can mean the difference between a perfect fit and a fashion fail.

This guide explores how to size and style these two key garment categories, recommends high street and designer brands that excel in each, and shows how Tellar.co.uk helps you get it right the first time with their free body-matching sizing tool for over 1,500 brands.

🧵 1. What’s the Difference Between Structured and Draped Clothing?

✅ Structured Clothing

Structured garments are built with tailoring, reinforcement, and shape-retaining fabrics. They include blazers, tailored coats, pencil skirts, boxy tops, and suits.

Common Features:

Shoulder pads or interfacing
Sharp seams and darts
Thick or stiffer materials (wool, poplin, crepe)
Requires precise fit around bust, waist, hips, and shoulders

Best for:

Creating a clean silhouette
Formal, business, and polished looks
Accentuating body lines (especially waist and shoulders)

✅ Draped Clothing

Draped garments use soft, fluid fabrics that fall naturally around the body. Think wrap dresses, silk blouses, oversized knits, wide-leg trousers, or waterfall coats.

Common Features:

No rigid shaping
Flowy materials (jersey, silk, viscose, chiffon)
Often designed with movement and ease in mind
Can skim or contour depending on styling

Best for:

Creating softness, ease, or elongation
Casual, romantic, or eveningwear
Versatility across body shapes

📐 2. How to Size Structured vs. Draped Garments

🔸 Structured Clothing Sizing Tips

Size precisely: There’s less margin for error—if the bust or hips are even slightly off, the garment will pull or distort
Pay close attention to shoulder seams and darts: They should sit flat and match your body line
Consider tailoring: Structured pieces are often worth altering to get an ideal fit

📌 Use Tellar’s measurement-matching system to avoid guesswork: Create your free Tellar profile

🔸 Draped Clothing Sizing Tips

Prioritise fabric flow and movement
Go for your larger measurement if between sizes (to maintain fluidity)
You may size down if you want less volume, especially in oversized pieces
Flexibility is higher, but proportion still matters—especially if belting

📌 Use the Store Size Lookup tool to compare sizing by brand: Try it here

👚 3. Styling Structured vs. Draped Garments

👔 Structured Styling Advice:

Pair structured tops (blazers, button-downs) with softer trousers or skirts for balance
For hourglass or curvy shapes, structure enhances natural shape
Petite women benefit from structured pieces with clean, cropped lines

👉 Explore layering structured pieces in:

Smart Casual Blazers Guide

Women’s Tuxedo Suits Guide

🌬 Draped Styling Advice:

Use a belt or tie to define the waist in wrap or oversized styles
Mix draped tops with skinny trousers or structured skirts for contrast
Draped pieces flatter apple, straight, and athletic shapes well

👉 See how layering impacts silhouette in:

Best Winter Style Layers That Flatter

Flattering Jeans for Every Body Shape

🛍️ 4. Best High Street & Designer Brands for Each

💼 Structured-Focused Brands:

High Street (UK/USA):

Reiss – renowned for tailoring and office-ready styles
Massimo Dutti – refined cuts and natural fabrics
COS – modern minimalist structure

Designer:

The Fold London – tailored womenswear for professional wardrobes
ME+EM – British brand mastering structure and elegance
Alexander McQueen – bold, sculpted pieces with drama

💃 Draped-Focused Brands:

High Street:

& Other Stories – romantic, soft-flowing shapes
Zara – trendy draped tops, satin midi dresses
H&M Conscious Collection – soft knits and wrap styles

Designer:

Ganni – oversized ruffle dresses and wide-leg cuts
Self-Portrait – draped lace and chiffon creations
Reformation (USA) – flattering wrap dresses and blouses

👉 Browse petite-specific options in:

Jeans for Petite Women

The Best Coats for Petite Women

📏 5. How Tellar.co.uk Helps You Choose the Right Size

Whether you're buying a crisp COS blazer or a flowing Zara dress, sizing varies widely across brands and styles. That’s where Tellar.co.uk gives you the edge.

✅ How Tellar WorksInstruction on Posts

Measure once using your bust, waist, hip—or select your current size in any known brand
Use the Store Size Lookup Tool to get your exact size in COS, Reiss, Zara, Arket, Everlane, and more
Shop smarter with real-time, brand-specific sizing for over 1,500 UK and international labels
No downloads. No cost. Always free, always browser-based

🔗 Create your free profile

🔗 Use the Store Size Lookup Tool

🔗 Get your free printable measuring tape

📚 6. Explore the Tellar Free Fashion Hub

Thousands of honest, independent style and sizing posts—no bias, no paid promotions.

🧭 Universal Sizing Guides:

🧵 Fit-Focused Articles:

📲 Follow Tellar for Live Fashion Insights

For daily fashion advice, fit science, and styling strategies:

Instagram: @Tellarsizing
Twitter/X: @TellarSizing
Facebook: Tellar Sizing
Pinterest: TellarSizing

Final Thought

The secret to great style isn't just what you wear—but how it fits. Structured or draped, each garment requires a different sizing mindset. With Tellar.co.uk, you don’t have to guess. Whether you’re wearing COS tailoring or a Reformation wrap dress, Tellar’s tools ensure you get the right size, every time.

“Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.”

Start now at www.tellar.co.uk