Toga Archives Sizing: Does It Run Small — and What Size Should You Order?

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

Yes — Toga Archives runs small, particularly in structured pieces like jackets, tailored dresses and fitted tops. As a Japanese label, sizes are labelled in EU and JP sizing, and the cuts are noticeably narrower than equivalent UK or European high street brands. My rule of thumb? Go up at least one size, sometimes two if you’re curvier or have a broader shoulder.

I’ll be honest, I discovered this the hard way. I spotted a Toga Archives asymmetric blazer on Net-a-Porter a few years back — sculptural lapel, slightly oversized silhouette, total masterpiece. Ordered my usual EU 38. It arrived, I couldn’t get it past my shoulders, and I spent the next ten minutes convincing myself it would “stretch”. It did not. Toga teaches you very quickly that its pieces are precision-cut, and getting the size right is everything when it comes to avant-garde tailoring.

A Bit About Toga Archives

Founded in Tokyo in 1997 by designer Yasuko Furuta — who trained in both Japan and Paris at the prestigious ESMOD — Toga Archives is the kind of label that genuinely doesn’t look like anything else on the market. Furuta draws on the English Teddy Boy aesthetic, mixing it with Japanese conceptualism to create pieces that are sculptural, slightly rebellious, and completely distinctive. Asymmetric hems, hardware detailing, deconstructed suiting, hybrid silhouettes — this is fashion for women who aren’t interested in blending in.

Toga splits into two main lines: Toga Archives (the womenswear line, focused on conceptual ready-to-wear) and Toga Pulla (footwear, beloved for its metal-detailed loafers and boots). Both are stocked at Selfridges, Browns, SSENSE and END Clothing, among others. The brand has a cult following — and for good reason. But those design details that make Toga pieces so extraordinary also make sizing genuinely tricky to navigate.

The Key Sizing Issue: EU & JP Labels vs UK Sizing

Toga’s clothes are sized using EU and JP sizing — so you won’t see a UK 10 or UK 12 on the label. Instead, you’ll see EU 36, EU 38, EU 40 and so on. The fit is also cut slightly narrower than most European brands at equivalent sizes, reflecting Japanese sizing conventions. Here’s a straightforward conversion guide to get you started:

EU SizeJP SizeUK SizeUS SizeBust (cm)Waist (cm)Hips (cm)34162786084362848264883831068668924041289072964251410947610044616129880104

Important note: these are general conversion guidelines. Individual Toga garments — especially asymmetric and multi-panel styles — can vary significantly from one piece to the next. Always check the specific product’s measurements before ordering.

How Sizing Breaks Down by Garment Type

Not all Toga pieces fit the same way, and it’s worth knowing where the brand runs tightest so you can adjust accordingly:

Jackets & Blazers: These run the smallest. Toga’s tailoring is narrow through the shoulder and sleeve — if you have broader shoulders or a fuller bust, size up by one to two sizes. The structured cut means there’s little give, and these silhouettes need breathing room to hang correctly.
Dresses: Most Toga dresses run small in the upper body. The wrap and pleated styles tend to be slightly more forgiving at the waist, but fitted and layered styles are cut close. I’d size up if you’re between sizes — always.
Tops & Shirts: Narrow in the sleeve and across the shoulder. Expect a close fit at the chest even if the body of the garment appears oversized at first glance. Some of Toga’s more deconstructed cropped styles are deliberately asymmetric — these are intended to fit more loosely.
Skirts & Trousers: Generally truer to the EU size guide at the waist, but styles with non-stretch fabric can feel snug. Multi-panel designs are more structured and leave less room for adjustment. Pleated skirts tend to be the most forgiving style in the range.
Knitwear: More relaxed, and here you can often stay closer to your usual EU size. Still, go up if you prefer an easy, draped fit rather than anything body-conscious.

Toga Pulla Footwear Sizing

Toga Pulla’s shoes — the hardware loafers, buckled boots and eyelet sabots — are sized in EU and tend to be true to length but quite narrow in the foot and ankle entry. If you have wide feet or narrow ankles, this is worth factoring in. Many reviewers suggest going half a size up if you’re between sizes; the leather does soften with wear but the initial fit can feel quite tight across the instep. The buckle fastenings do help with adjustment, which is a bonus.

My Honest Styling Take on Toga Archives

Toga is one of those brands that rewards commitment. If you half-heartedly throw on a Toga Archives jacket with jeans and trainers and wonder why it looks a bit flat — that’s not the jacket’s fault, that’s the outfit. These pieces want to be the centrepiece. A single Toga blazer or dress is a whole look in itself.

I’ve seen Toga Archives worn brilliantly in two very distinct ways. The first is extremely restrained: one sculptural piece, minimal accessories, let the garment do all the talking. The second is maximalist layering — Toga over Toga, hardware jewellery, statement boots. Both work. What doesn’t work is trying to “tone it down” by pairing a Toga piece with something too safe or generic. Trust the design.

Where to Shop — High Street Alternatives with a Similar Spirit

If you love the avant-garde, slightly androgynous energy of Toga Archives but aren’t quite ready to commit to the price point, there are some brilliant alternatives on the high street that capture that sculptural, considered spirit. Based on style magazine reviews and customer feedback, here are my picks:

COS — Probably the closest high street equivalent for clean, architectural silhouettes. Structured blazers, asymmetric hems and minimalist tailoring at a fraction of the price. Sizing is generous and consistent.
Zara — Reliably fast to pick up on avant-garde tailoring trends each season. Look for the Studio collection and any volume shoulder or deconstructed suiting pieces.
All Saints — Shares Toga’s slightly darker, more androgynous edge. Good for leather-trimmed jackets and asymmetric knitwear.
Whistles — Thoughtful tailoring with a British restraint that pairs well with the Toga aesthetic. Particularly good for structured trousers and blazers.
Massimo Dutti — Premium fabrics and precise cuts. If you want something that feels genuinely expensive without crossing into designer territory, Massimo Dutti delivers consistently.
Anthropologie — For the more eclectic, embellished and layered side of Toga’s aesthetic. Great for unique texture and print play.
Reiss — Sharp British tailoring that sits comfortably in the same orbit as Toga’s more refined blazer and trouser combinations.
Urban Outfitters — For the more experimental, streetwear-adjacent styling that Toga’s downtown Tokyo roots nod towards.

Premium & Independent Alternatives Worth Knowing

For a more premium alternative with a similar design sensibility, Ganni offers playful, fashion-forward pieces with a Scandinavian edge — more accessible than Toga in both fit and price point. Rejina Pyo is a brilliant London-based independent designer whose sculptural tailoring and unexpected fabric combinations sit firmly in the same conversation as Toga Archives; her pieces are stocked at Selfridges and Browns, and the sizing is generally more UK-friendly. Well worth exploring.

For the full luxury and designer end, MM6 Maison Margiela occupies very similar territory — deconstructed, concept-driven, and deeply cool. Vivienne Westwood shares Toga’s Teddy Boy roots and rebellious tailoring language, and is well worth considering if the Toga aesthetic resonates with you.

On the more independent end, A.W.A.K.E Mode is a label I keep recommending to clients who want Toga’s sculptural drama at a slightly lower entry price. Founded by Natalia Alaverdian, the brand makes remarkable structured pieces — particularly jackets and dresses — with an architectural confidence that punches well above its price tag.

Not Sure What Size You Are in Toga Archives? Tellar Has You Covered.

Toga’s EU/JP sizing, narrow cuts and garment-by-garment variation make it genuinely one of the trickier brands to size for online. This is exactly why Tellar.co.uk exists.

Tellar is the UK’s leading clothing size tool — free, independent, and covering over 1,500 brands including Toga Archives. Enter your measurements once and get your precise size matched across every brand in their database. No guesswork. No expensive returns.

Measure once — bust, waist, hips, or use an existing brand size you know fits
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Visit Tellar.co.uk → Find Your Toga Size →

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