Ivy Oak Sizing: Does It Run True to Size?

By Ella Blake – Fashion Stylist | Tellar Fashion Hub – Always Honest, Unbiased & Unsponsored

Ivy Oak runs small to true to size, and if you're ordering from the UK, you'll almost certainly need to size up from your usual. I'll be straight with you: the first time I ordered from them I confidently went with my standard size 12 and was halfway through pulling a dress over my shoulders before I admitted defeat. Lesson learnt. The brand sizes in EU numerics, and their fits are designed with a slim, structured silhouette in mind — beautiful, but not especially generous. Know that going in and you'll be absolutely fine.

Who Is Ivy Oak?

Ivy Oak is a Berlin-based womenswear label that launched in 2014 and has quietly built a devoted following among women who want something a bit more considered than high street but without quite crossing into designer-territory prices. Think elevated occasion dressing — silk-like midi dresses, sharp tailored blazers, fluid blouses — with a quietly European aesthetic. Their pieces have a romantic, feminine edge without tipping into fussy, and the quality-to-price ratio is genuinely strong for the market they sit in.

They're particularly brilliant for weddings, smart-casual events, and those occasions where you want to look properly dressed without having raided your savings account. They're stocked on Zalando, ASOS, and their own website, which makes returns relatively straightforward — important if you're navigating their sizing for the first time.

Understanding Ivy Oak's Sizing System

Ivy Oak use EU sizing across the board. Their range typically runs from EU 34 to EU 44, which translates roughly as follows:

Ivy Oak EU SizeUK Size (Approx)US Size (Approx)346236843810640128421410441612

The key thing here is that this is a conversion guide, not a guarantee. In practice, Ivy Oak's actual garment measurements often run narrower than standard EU sizing would suggest — particularly across the bust and hips. Their dresses and blouses have a fairly close-cut European fit, so if you're between sizes or carry more volume on top, I'd consistently recommend sizing up.

Where Ivy Oak Sizing Gets Tricky

It depends enormously on the garment type:

Dresses: These are where most people come unstuck. Ivy Oak's wrap and midi dresses are cut with a slender silhouette. If you have a fuller bust or hips, size up confidently — there's no shame in it, their pieces look stunning in a larger size.
Blazers and tailored pieces: These tend to be more generous — you can usually take your standard UK size. That said, if you're broad-shouldered, check the shoulder measurements specifically.
Blouses and tops: Go up at least one size if you're anywhere above a C cup. Their shirts are cut slim across the chest.
Trousers: Generally consistent with the size conversion table above, though the leg cut is usually straight and European-narrow, which isn't for everyone.

My Honest Verdict on Ivy Oak Sizing

My honest advice: measure yourself properly before ordering (bust, waist, hips), and then compare directly to their product-specific measurements rather than relying solely on the EU-to-UK conversion. They do publish detailed measurements on their product pages, which is genuinely helpful — use them. If you're a UK 10, order an EU 38 as a starting point, but don't be alarmed if a 40 serves you better in structured or fitted styles.

The fact that they're widely available on Zalando — with its generous returns policy — means trying two sizes is perfectly practical. I've done it more than once and have zero regrets.

Similar Brands Worth Knowing About

If you love Ivy Oak's aesthetic but want a wider range of sizing options, better availability, or a slightly different price point, here's where I'd look:

High Street & Mid-Range

Whistles – Effortlessly similar in terms of aesthetic: elegant, slightly European, and well-cut. Sizing is generous and consistent, making it a more forgiving fit overall.
Jigsaw – Another brilliant alternative for grown-up, refined dressing. Their midi dresses and tailored pieces have the same polish as Ivy Oak with clearer UK sizing.
Me&Em – Excellent quality at a comparable price point. Known for generous, flattering cuts and brilliant for occasion dressing that doesn't look like it tried too hard.
Reiss – Sharp tailoring and occasion-ready pieces with very reliable UK sizing. A natural step sideways from Ivy Oak, particularly for workwear and smarter events.
Phase Eight – Particularly brilliant for occasion dresses. Their sizing is generally true to UK size, and they cater to a wider range of body shapes than Ivy Oak does.
Hobbs – Consistently polished, sizing is reliable, and their silk-blend dresses and tailored trousers have a similar quiet elegance. Regularly reviewed as one of the best for fit consistency.
LK Bennett – The go-to for occasion dressing in the UK. Reliable sizing, beautiful dresses, and the exact same smart-feminine energy as Ivy Oak.
Massimo Dutti – A strong alternative for the European tailored aesthetic specifically. Sizing runs European (so similar caveats apply), but the quality is exceptional for the price.
Ted Baker – Especially good for dresses and occasionwear. Sizing tends to run small (they use their own numeric scale), so check their guide carefully — but the styles overlap nicely with Ivy Oak's feminine, structured look.

Two Independent Picks Worth Discovering

Saloni – A London-based label beloved by stylists and fashion editors alike. Their printed silk dresses have an Ivy Oak-adjacent elegance but with more vivid print work and a slightly more generous cut. Size up one in their occasion pieces if you're fuller on top.
Shona Joy – An Australian brand that has quietly built a cult following in the UK. Their linen and silk-blend dresses are stunning, the sizing is more straightforward than Ivy Oak's, and they offer a similarly elevated aesthetic at a comparable price point. Worth bookmarking.

Never Guess Your Size in Ivy Oak Again

Ivy Oak's EU sizing can be genuinely confusing — especially when your size in one style doesn't match another. That's exactly why Tellar.co.uk exists.

Tellar is the UK's leading free sizing tool — matching your measurements to 1,500+ brands instantly, no downloads, no subscriptions, no guesswork.

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Plus, explore the Tellar Fashion Hub — a library of free, honest, unbiased style guides from our team of stylists. No ads. No sponsors. No bias.

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📖 The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide — everything you need to know about navigating fashion sizing in 2026

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👗 The Ultimate Guide to Dresses — styles, body shapes, and the best places to shop

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