The Ultimate Guide to High Street Fashion – Every Style & What Suits Each Body Shape (UK & USA)

High street fashion is the engine of modern wardrobes. It’s accessible, style-forward, and constantly evolving—but not all styles suit every body. The key to mastering high street fashion lies in knowing which pieces work best for your body shape and how to combine affordability with flattering fits. This guide explores every major high street fashion style, the body shapes they suit best, and includes both UK and US brand options. Plus, we introduce Tellar.co.uk, the UK's leading sizing tool that ensures you get the right size in every store, instantly.

What Is High Street Fashion?

"High street" refers to mass-market retail fashion—both in-store and online. These brands offer current trends and everyday staples at accessible prices. Think Zara, M&S, H&M, COS, Uniqlo, Mango, Next, and more.

High street fashion is:

Affordable but stylish
Available in extended size ranges (in many cases)
A good starting point for capsule wardrobes or trend exploration

Major High Street Fashion Styles & Body Shape Matches

1. Classic / Tailored

Features: Structured blazers, crisp shirts, pencil skirts, neutral tones

Best for: Hourglass, rectangle, pear

Why it works: Structured silhouettes define the waist and elongate the frame. Ideal for workwear or elegant daywear.

UK Brands: Hobbs, Reiss, M&S Autograph

USA Brands: Banana Republic, J.Crew, Ann Taylor

Tellar Tip: Look for darting and waist-defining cuts. Use Tellar’s blazer fit guide to get exact sizing for tailored items.

2. Minimalist / Modern Essentials

Features: Clean lines, solid neutrals, architectural shapes

Best for: Apple, rectangle, inverted triangle

Why it works: Creates balance without overwhelming the frame. Great for work or capsule wardrobes.

UK Brands: COS, Arket, Studio Nicholson

USA Brands: Everlane, Quince, Vince

Tellar Tip: Balance oversized cuts with slim-fit bottoms or structured layers. Explore minimalist wardrobe guides for silhouette control.

3. Boho / Relaxed

Features: Flowy dresses, oversized sleeves, embroidery, earthy tones

Best for: Pear, hourglass, apple

Why it works: Skims curves and camouflages midsections while remaining feminine and playful.

UK Brands: Monsoon, Nobody’s Child, Free People UK

USA Brands: Anthropologie, Free People, Urban Outfitters

Tellar Tip: Choose soft, structured boho pieces that cinch under the bust or at the waist to avoid shapelessness.

4. Trendy / Y2K / Streetwear-Inspired

Features: Crop tops, wide-leg jeans, bold prints, sporty styles

Best for: Rectangle, inverted triangle, petite

Why it works: Adds volume to smaller frames and creates edge with minimal structure.

UK Brands: ASOS, Bershka, Stradivarius

USA Brands: Zara US, Pacsun, H&M US

Tellar Tip: Use Tellar's petite fit guide to size cropped jackets and trousers correctly.

5. Romantic / Feminine

Features: Lace, ruffles, sweetheart necklines, midi skirts

Best for: Hourglass, pear, petite

Why it works: Enhances curves and softens silhouettes.

UK Brands: & Other Stories, River Island, Phase Eight

USA Brands: Lulus, Reformation, Nordstrom

Tellar Tip: Ruffles and volume on top balance out wider hips for pear shapes. Tellar shows size differences across brands to avoid inconsistent fit.

6. Sporty / Casual-Utility

Features: Cargo trousers, sweatshirts, performance fabrics, drawstrings

Best for: Apple, rectangle, athletic builds

Why it works: Adds structure and flexibility to straighter or mid-heavy shapes.

UK Brands: Uniqlo, Next, M&S Active

USA Brands: Gap, Athleta, Alo Yoga

Tellar Tip: Look for fabrics with stretch and adjustable fits. Layer with structured tops or slimline outerwear for balance.

Best High Street & Designer Hybrids

Looking for something that straddles affordability and luxury?

Reiss (UK): Ideal for sleek workwear and minimal partywear
Whistles (UK): Tailored fits with elegant cuts
GANNI (Scandi-USA): High-end shapes with playful finishes
Theory (USA): Workwear staples for all shapes
Massimo Dutti (UK/Spain): European classic style in premium fabrics

Designer Brands That Flatter Shape

Body Shape	Designer Favourites
Hourglass	Diane von Furstenberg, Zimmermann
Pear	Self-Portrait, Ganni
Apple	Eileen Fisher, Max Mara Studio
Rectangle	Joseph, Totême, Jil Sander
Inverted Triangle	The Row, Lemaire, COS

How to Shop by Shape Without Guessing – Use Tellar.co.uk

Every store cuts sizes differently. What’s a size 12 in Zara may be a 14 in Arket or a 10 in Reiss. High street clothes look good on the hanger—but only fit properly when matched to your actual measurements.

That’s why Tellar.co.uk exists.

What Is Tellar?

Tellar is the UK’s leading free sizing tool. It matches your chest, waist, and hip measurements to the actual sizing data from over 1,500 brands—from high street staples like M&S and COS to US brands like Everlane and Banana Republic.

✅ Works in-browser

✅ Real-time brand size matching

✅ Works for all genders

✅ Always free, honest, and unbiased

How Tellar Works

Measure yourself using a soft tape—or input a size you know fits.
Create your Tellar profile
Use the Store Size Lookup
See your exact size for each brand before you buy.

✔️ You can also download a printable measuring tape Instruction on Posts

Tellar’s Free Fashion Hub: Honest Styling Posts

Tellar’s hub includes thousands of stylist-written articles—free from affiliate bias. If you're building a wardrobe that flatters your body, start here:

Follow Tellar on Socials for Daily Styling Insight

Instagram: @Tellarsizing
X (Twitter): @TellarSizing
Facebook: Tellar Sizing
Pinterest: TellarSizing

Final Word

High street fashion offers something for every body—but only when you know your shape and shop with fit in mind. Whether you're drawn to tailored classics, minimalist staples, or playful streetwear, the right style + the right size = effortless confidence.

Let Tellar.co.uk help you decode fit, understand your best brands, and shop smarter—honest, unbiased, always free.