James Lakeland Sizing Guide: Does It Run True to Size?

By Ella Blake – Fashion Stylist | Tellar Fashion Hub – Always honest, unbiased & unsponsored

James Lakeland runs slightly small compared to standard UK sizing, and because the brand uses Italian numeric sizes rather than the UK 8–20 scale, it catches a lot of shoppers off guard. If you’ve ever ordered what you thought was your usual size and found yourself staring at a coat that simply won’t close, you’re definitely not alone — I’ve been there too.

I first discovered James Lakeland at a concession in John Lewis about six years ago. I picked up a beautiful cobalt blue dress, ordered my usual size, and honestly? It was tight across the shoulders and unforgiving around the hips. The fabric was stunning — that gorgeous Italian craftsmanship they’re famous for — but the fit was off. I returned it, ordered one size up, and it was perfect. That experience changed how I shop the brand, and I’ve not had a fit issue since. Lesson learned.

Understanding James Lakeland’s Italian Sizing

This is the first thing to get your head around. James Lakeland uses Italian numeric sizing — think 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 — rather than the UK 8 through 20 that we’re used to. These numbers mean absolutely nothing on their own, so don’t try to guess. Always refer to the brand’s centimetre measurements and work from those. Here’s a rough conversion guide to get you started:

Italian SizeUK Size (approx.)Bust (cm)Waist (cm)Hip (cm)38 (XXS)UK 882649040 (XS)UK 1086689442 (S)UK 1290729844 (M)UK 14947610246 (L)UK 16988010648 (XL)UK 181028411050 (XXL)UK 2010688114

My strong advice: measure yourself properly in centimetres before you order. Bust, waist, hips. Keep those numbers on your phone. It takes two minutes and saves you the faff of returns.

Does James Lakeland Run True to Size?

It depends on the garment — which I know isn’t the clean answer you wanted, but it’s the truth. The brand is generally consistent for dresses and knitwear, but structured outerwear is where things get trickier. Coats and tailored jackets in particular have a reputation for coming up slightly smaller than the measurements suggest, especially across the chest and shoulders.

There’s also the fabric question. Many James Lakeland pieces are made using stretchy Italian Viyella — a fabric that’s wonderfully forgiving and comfortable to wear all day. If your chosen piece is made in Viyella or a stretch jersey, you’ll likely be absolutely fine in your true size. If it’s a non-stretch fabric — a woven linen, a structured brocade, or a stiff occasion fabric — size up. Trust me on this.

Sizing by Garment Type

Dresses: Generally true to size, especially stretch fabrics. If it’s a structured, non-stretch style with a fitted bodice, size up one.
Knitwear: True to size. The brand’s knits are beautifully made and the sizing is reliable. Stick to your measurements.
Coats & jackets: Size up. This is where the brand runs most inconsistently. Factor in layers underneath — if you plan to wear a chunky knit beneath a coat, definitely go up a size.
Tops & blouses: Check the fabric. Stretchy tops tend to be fine in your usual size; non-stretch woven tops can feel tight across the bust.
Trousers & skirts: Generally true to size with good cut, but always check the waist measurement in cm rather than relying on the size number.

My Top Tips for Shopping James Lakeland Online

Always measure yourself in centimetres — bust, waist and hip — before ordering. Don’t rely on your usual UK size alone.
If you’re between sizes, always go up, not down. The brand’s pieces are tailored with a fairly slim Italian silhouette.
Check the fabric content in the product description. Stretch = true to size. Non-stretch = size up.
For coats specifically, think about what you’ll be wearing underneath. A fitted blazer or chunky knit changes things considerably.
The sale section is brilliant for value, but note that sale items can’t always be returned. Be even more careful to check measurements before buying.

Who Is James Lakeland For?

James Lakeland is the brand you go to when you want something genuinely special — an outfit that earns compliments, holds its shape, and lasts for years. It’s not fast fashion. Every piece is made in Italy using premium fabrics, and that quality really does come through when you wear it. The aesthetic is sophisticated, polished, and unapologetically grown-up in the best possible way. Think weddings, garden parties, smart lunches, or any occasion where you want to look effortlessly elegant without looking overdressed.

The designer himself has always been clear that he designs for real women of all shapes, and the silhouettes do reflect that — lots of A-line cuts, wrap-style dresses, and empire waists that are flattering across a wide range of bodies. It just requires a little sizing know-how to get right.

Alternatives to James Lakeland — Similar Styles at Different Price Points

If James Lakeland is a bit of a splurge for you right now (or you want to explore similar elegant, event-ready styling at different budgets), here are my go-to alternatives:

High Street & Mid-Range:

Phase Eight — The queen of occasion dressing on the high street. Beautiful prints, flattering cuts and consistently reliable sizing. A genuinely good alternative for dresses and occasionwear.
Hobbs — Smart, polished and built to last. Hobbs does tailoring and dresses particularly well, and the sizing is very consistent. Great for work and formal occasions alike.
Monsoon — Brilliant for occasion dresses with a slightly more eclectic, print-led sensibility. Worth checking for weddings and summer events particularly.
Whistles — Understated, elegant and well-made. Their dresses and separates have a similar grown-up sophistication to James Lakeland at a slightly more accessible price.
Ted Baker — Known for bold floral prints and occasion-ready dresses. Comparable glamour level, and widely available in concessions.
LK Bennett — Smart, structured and chic. The go-to for polish without ostentation. Their court shoes paired with their wrap dresses is a tried-and-true formula that never fails.
Me&Em — A brilliant British brand doing quality basics and polished pieces with outstanding fit. Their quality has improved enormously in recent years.
Reiss — Premium contemporary styling. Particularly good for tailoring and eveningwear if you want something sophisticated without the designer price tag.

Independent Picks:

Beulah London — A gorgeous British brand doing beautifully made, print-led occasionwear with an ethical ethos. If you love James Lakeland’s vibrant colours and considered design, Beulah will speak to you immediately. Their sizing is UK standard and very true to size.
Rixo — London-born independent label famous for stunning vintage-inspired prints and easy-to-wear silhouettes. Slightly younger in feel than James Lakeland but equally beautiful, and particularly good for weddings and summer occasions.

Never Get Sizing Wrong Again — Use Tellar’s Free Size Tool

James Lakeland’s Italian sizing is exactly the kind of thing that trips people up when shopping online. That’s precisely why Tellar.co.uk exists — the UK’s leading free sizing platform, matching your measurements to 1,500+ brands instantly.

Measure once — your bust, waist and hip — and Tellar does the rest.
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size at James Lakeland and hundreds of other brands — from COS and Reiss to Arket and Everlane.
Completely free, no download needed, works in-browser.
No advertising. No sponsored content. No bias. Just honest, accurate sizing information.

And while you’re there, explore the Tellar Fashion Hub — a free library of honest, unbiased style advice from our team of stylists. From sizing guides to trend edits, it’s the fashion resource you’ll keep coming back to.

Find My Size at James Lakeland →