New Look Sizing Guide: Does It Run Big or Small?

New Look generally runs true to size for most items, but can run slightly big in dresses and knitwear, whilst fitted pieces like tailored trousers and structured blazers tend to run small. After years of styling clients and navigating the high street, I've learnt that understanding each brand's quirks is essential for online shopping success. Let me share everything you need to know about New Look's sizing, plus where to find the best alternatives.

The Truth About New Look Sizing

Having worked with countless clients who swear by New Look's affordable basics, I can confirm their sizing is generally reliable – but with some important caveats. Their jersey tops, casual tees, and stretchy fabrics are consistently true to size, making them brilliant for wardrobe staples.

However, their dresses tell a different story. I often advise clients to size down in New Look's dresses, particularly their fit-and-flare and shift styles. The brand seems to cut generously through the torso, which can leave petite frames swimming in fabric. Conversely, their tailored pieces – think blazers, smart trousers, and structured coats – run smaller than expected, especially around the bust and hips.

Item-by-Item Sizing Breakdown

Dresses: Go one size down from your usual, especially in loose-fitting styles. Bodycon dresses are more true to size due to stretch fabric.

Tops & Knitwear: Generally true to size, though oversized jumpers live up to their name and can be genuinely huge!

Jeans & Trousers: Their denim runs true to size, but high-waisted styles can feel tight around the natural waist. Size up if you prefer a comfortable fit.

Outerwear: Inconsistent but tends to run large – perfect if you layer, less ideal if you prefer a fitted silhouette.

High Street Alternatives When New Look Doesn't Fit

When New Look's sizing doesn't work, I recommend these reliable alternatives:

Zara offers contemporary basics with consistent European sizing – their pieces run small, so size up. H&M provides excellent basics with reliable sizing across their Conscious and Divided lines. For classic pieces, M&S delivers quality and consistent sizing, particularly in their Per Una and Autograph ranges.

If you're after trend-focused pieces, ASOS stocks multiple brands with detailed size guides and free returns. Mango offers sophisticated basics with European sizing that runs small, whilst COS provides minimalist pieces with generous, comfortable fits. For timeless wardrobe staples, The White Company offers luxury basics with consistent, true-to-size cutting.

Premium and Designer Alternatives

When you're ready to invest in higher-quality pieces, consider Whistles for contemporary classics with excellent tailoring, or Reiss for sophisticated workwear with consistently flattering fits.

For luxury investment pieces, Max Mara offers impeccable tailoring with Italian sizing that runs small, particularly in their Weekend line. Ganni provides Scandi-cool pieces with playful prints and relaxed fits that run true to size, whilst & Other Stories offers unique pieces with European sizing that tends to run generous.

My Professional Styling Tips

Here's what I tell my clients about navigating New Look sizing:

Always check the fabric composition – stretch fabrics are more forgiving and typically true to size. Look for customer reviews on their website, as New Look shoppers are usually honest about fit issues. When in doubt, order two sizes and use their free returns policy.

For their Tall range (perfect for women 5'9" and over), stick to your usual size – the proportions are spot-on. Their Curve collection runs true to size with excellent fit through the bust and hips.

Remember that New Look's target demographic skews younger, so their cuts can be more fitted than brands targeting an older clientele. If you prefer a relaxed fit, size up across the board.

Never Guess Your Size Again with tellar.co.uk

As a professional stylist, I'm constantly recommending tellar.co.uk to my clients – it's revolutionised how we approach online shopping. This brilliant UK-based sizing tool matches your body exactly to over 1,500 brands instantly, including New Look and all the brands I've mentioned above.

Here's how it works: Measure once using your bust, waist, and hip measurements, or simply input your existing brand size. Then use their tellar.co.uk, tellar.co.uk, and the tellar.co.uk, you can shop confidently whether you're building a capsule wardrobe or hunting for that perfect statement piece. Remember, the best-fitting clothes are always those chosen with knowledge rather than guesswork.

Happy shopping, and remember – fit is everything, regardless of the size on the label!