South Beach Sizing: What Size Should You Buy?

By Ella Blake — Fashion Stylist | Tellar Fashion Hub

South Beach is a UK-based womenswear brand specialising in curve and plus-size fashion, offering sizes from UK 8 to UK 26 across occasionwear, swimwear, co-ords and everyday essentials.

Right, let me be honest with you about South Beach. I discovered this brand a few summers ago when I was desperately hunting for a bikini that actually fit — you know that specific nightmare where the top swims and the bottoms cut in? I stumbled across South Beach and it genuinely changed my holiday packing. Since then I've tried enough of their pieces to give you a properly useful steer on how their sizing works.

The short version: South Beach runs true to size for most things, with a few exceptions worth knowing about. Let me walk you through it category by category so you can order with confidence.

South Beach Size Range

South Beach caters to a broad size range — typically UK 8 to UK 26, depending on the style. Their curve range is genuinely their heartland, and honestly the fit for sizes 14–22 is where they really nail it. If you're between sizes, I'd generally size up rather than down, especially in bodycon and bandage styles.

Dresses & Occasionwear

South Beach's bodycon dresses are the pieces I get asked about most, and for good reason — they do a brilliant job of them. Here's what I've found:

Bodycon styles: These come up quite small across the bust and hips. If you're larger in the chest or have a curvier hip-to-waist ratio, size up one. I usually wear a 12 but I went 14 in their wrap-style bandage dress and it was the right call.
Midi and maxi dresses: These are more forgiving. True to size on the whole, with good length — a rare treat if you're 5'7" or over like me.
Cut-out and ruched styles: These are designed to stretch and sculpt, so they can feel snug off the hanger. Don't panic — go true to size and trust the fabric to do its job.

Swimwear & Bikinis

This is South Beach's forte and honestly where I think they're one of the best on the high street for curve sizing. Their bikini tops have proper underwire support options, adjustable straps, and decent coverage if you want it.

Bikini tops: True to size, but if you're a fuller bust (D cup and above), I'd size up in the top while keeping your usual size in the bottoms — yes, you can mix and match sizes, which is a genuine godsend.
Swimsuits: These can come up slightly small in the torso length. Petite frames should be fine at true to size; if you're 5'6" and above, the fit through the body is usually comfortable.
Bikini bottoms: Generous cut — especially the high-waisted styles, which are wonderfully flattering. True to size or even size down if you prefer less coverage at the back.

Co-ords & Sets

Their co-ord sets are one of my favourite easy-outfit solutions — throw on a matching crop top and wide-leg trouser and you look effortlessly put together. Sizing tips:

Crop tops in sets: These are cropped short, which is the design, but the body is snug. True to size unless you're larger in the bust, in which case size up.
Trousers and skirts in sets: These run true to size on the waist but are generous through the hip and thigh — a welcome change from brands that forget people have actual bottoms.
Blazer-style sets: I'd go true to size. The cut is relaxed and accommodates a range of shapes well.

Tops, Bodysuits & Knitwear

Bodysuits: Size up if you're between sizes — these are fitted and a tight bodysuit is uncomfortable in a way that ruins the whole outfit.
Slinky tops and camisoles: True to size. They use stretchy fabrics that give good coverage without clinging awkwardly.
Knitwear: True to size or size up for a more relaxed, oversized look. Their knit co-ords in particular have been a hit and the quality is better than you'd expect at the price point.

Jeans & Trousers

Sizing in South Beach jeans follows a similar pattern to other curve-focused brands:

Jeans: True to size on waist, generous through hip and thigh. If you have a notable waist-to-hip differential, you may find the waist gaps — a belt sorts this instantly.
Wide-leg trousers: One of their strengths. True to size, with lengths that work well for average to tall heights.

My Honest Take

South Beach is a solid, dependable brand for curve dressing — particularly if you want something that looks genuinely glam without paying designer prices. The fit is designed with real bodies in mind, which sounds like a marketing line but in this case actually holds true. The fact that you can buy bikini tops and bottoms in different sizes alone makes them worth bookmarking.

That said, their bodycon occasionwear can come up small, and the quality varies between their basics range and their going-out pieces. Stick to their swimwear and occasion dresses and you'll rarely be disappointed.

Not sure what size you are at South Beach?

Use the free Tellar Store Size Lookup tool — enter your measurements once and find your size across 1,500+ brands instantly.

Visit Tellar Find My Size at South Beach

If South Beach Doesn't Work for You — Try These Instead

Not every brand works for every body, and that's completely fine. Here are my picks across the tiers:

High Street Alternatives

Simply Be — Brilliant curve sizing, excellent for jeans and occasionwear in sizes 8–32. One of my go-tos for clients who struggle to find well-cut trousers.
ASOS Curve — Enormous range, fast turnover of trend-led pieces, and very reliable sizing with helpful customer reviews to guide you.
Yours Clothing — Sizes 16–40, with a strong eveningwear section that doesn't compromise on style for larger sizes.
New Look Curves — Great for everyday basics and occasion pieces in a slightly more mainstream aesthetic. Runs very true to size.
boohoo Plus — Very affordable with a huge selection. Quality is variable but you'll find gems, especially in their formalwear drops.
PrettyLittleThing Curve — Trend-forward, affordable, good for going-out pieces and co-ords similar in feel to South Beach.
Marks & Spencer — For a more polished, everyday wardrobe. Their curve range is understated but the fit and fabric quality are genuinely excellent.
Next — Reliable, well-cut, true-to-size across most categories. Their occasionwear has improved enormously in recent years.

Premium Alternatives

Sosandar — Beautiful occasionwear and smart-casual pieces. The quality step-up from high street is immediately obvious and they size thoughtfully for real proportions.
Ghost — Floaty, romantic occasionwear with a really distinctive aesthetic. Their jersey dresses are particularly kind to curves.
Reiss — Sharp, investment-worthy pieces. More limited in extended sizing but excellent quality for sizes 6–18.

Luxury & Designer Alternatives

Marina Rinaldi — The gold standard for luxury curve dressing. Italian craftsmanship, stunning fabrics, and sizing done with genuine care from size 12 to 24.
Dolce & Gabbana — For special occasions when you want to go all out. Their bodycon dresses are structured and supremely flattering; size up and expect tailoring perfection.

Independent & Niche Brands Worth Knowing

Neon Rose — A really exciting independent label doing bold print occasionwear with a genuine eye for curve-flattering silhouettes. Not many people know them and I feel personally responsible for introducing you.
Ayra London — A small UK-based brand doing modest-friendly occasion and evening dressing in extended sizes. The quality is exceptional for the price and the aesthetic is genuinely stylish rather than an afterthought.

You might also find these helpful:

→ How to Find Your Size in Dresses

→ The Tellar Swimwear Size Guide

→ Best Curve Fashion Brands in the UK

→ How to Find Your Perfect Jean Size