Tommy Bahama Sizing UK: Does It Run True to Size?

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

Tommy Bahama runs true to size for most garments, but with a noticeably relaxed, roomy cut — so if you prefer a more fitted silhouette, sizing down one is often the right move. As a UK shopper, the key thing to know is that Tommy Bahama uses US sizing, which means you'll need to go two sizes up from your US size to land on your UK equivalent. A US 6 is roughly a UK 10, a US 8 is a UK 12 — and so on.

I'll be honest: I came to Tommy Bahama later than most. It wasn't until a friend wore the most gorgeous linen shirt dress to a garden party — easy, effortless, and clearly expensive — that I thought, right, I need to pay attention to this brand. What surprised me was how structured the sizing actually is once you understand the system. It's not chaotic; it's just American — and that one realisation saves a lot of returns.

UK to US Size Conversion — Tommy Bahama Women's

UK SizeUS SizeEU SizeBust (cm)Waist (cm)Hips (cm)8436836591106388870961284093751011410429880106161244103851111814461089011620164811395121

Note: Tommy Bahama also offers a Plus range (1X–3X) and Petite sizing. If you're between sizes, size down for dresses and tops, and stick to your usual for trousers and swimwear where the fit is more structured.

How Tommy Bahama Fits Across Different Garments

Not all Tommy Bahama pieces fit the same way — and knowing this by category genuinely makes the difference between a holiday wardrobe win and an expensive parcel heading back across the Atlantic.

Dresses and Maxi Dresses: These tend to be generous through the body with a deliberately relaxed drape. If you're petite or slimmer through the hips, sizing down one will give you a much more flattering line without losing the breezy silhouette the brand is known for. The fabrics — a lot of silk-blends, rayon, and silk twill — have a lovely weight that skims rather than clings, which is genuinely brilliant for holiday dressing.
Tops and Blouses: The brand's signature floral blouses and linen shirts run true to size but with a relaxed, untucked fit intended. If you like a more tailored look, size down. If you're wearing over swimwear or want an airy feel (which, frankly, is the entire point), stick to your usual size.
Trousers and Shorts: These are the most consistently sized pieces in the range. Waistbands are comfortable and not overly rigid, so they work well across body shapes. The linen and cotton blends do relax slightly with wear, especially in warm weather — worth factoring in.
Swimwear: This is where I'd say be the most cautious. Tommy Bahama swimwear can run slightly small compared to the rest of the range, particularly through the bust. If you're a D cup or above, I'd always recommend sizing up one in swimsuits. The one-pieces are particularly good quality — worth the investment.
Knitwear and Cardigans: These run generously and are designed to be layered over resort outfits. Your true size works perfectly here; there's no need to size down unless you're very petite.
Jackets and Cover-Ups: The lightweight jackets and kimono-style cover-ups are very relaxed in cut. True to size or size down if you want a more refined, structured look.

What's the Quality Like — And Is It Worth It?

Tommy Bahama sits comfortably in the premium casual bracket — it's not cheap, but the quality is genuinely there. The prints are rich and don't fade, the fabrics are considered (lots of natural fibres — cotton, linen, silk blends), and the finishing is noticeably better than most high street resort ranges. Think of it as what you'd buy when you've graduated from Zara holiday pieces but aren't quite at full resort-luxury spend.

The aesthetic is unapologetically relaxed, tropical, and optimistic — which either completely chimes with you or doesn't. If you love bold prints, botanical motifs, and that effortless holiday-at-all-times energy, you'll adore it. It's one of those brands that has a genuine cult following among women who holiday well and dress accordingly.

If Tommy Bahama Isn't Quite Right — Try These Instead

Whether the sizing doesn't work for you, the shipping costs put you off, or you just want similar energy without the transatlantic order, here are my honest picks across the spectrum:

High Street

Seasalt Cornwall — hands down the best high street option for a similar coastal, natural-fabric ethos. The prints are beautiful, the sizing is generous and inclusive, and the linen pieces rival anything at twice the price.
Fat Face — relaxed, outdoorsy with a coastal soul. Their floral dresses and linen shirts have serious Tommy Bahama energy at a much friendlier price point.
Boden — if you love Tommy Bahama's optimistic colour palette and botanical prints, Boden does it brilliantly for the UK market. Sizing is consistent and reliable, and the quality is genuinely impressive for the price.
Anthropologie — for the boho-resort crossover. The dresses and blouses are often a direct style match, with a more eclectic, indie aesthetic layered in.
Mango — particularly good for the linen separates and floral midi dresses. It runs slightly small, so size up one, but the holiday-appropriate pieces are excellent value.
Joules — another great coastal option, especially for floral prints and easy-wear summer dresses. Sizing is very UK-consistent and straightforward.
White Stuff — relaxed, feminine and great for that effortless layered resort look. Their linen pieces and printed dresses are a genuine alternative for the Tommy Bahama customer.

Premium

Me&Em — polish meets relaxed ease. The resort separates are beautifully cut, the fabrics are considered, and sizing is consistent. A brilliant step up from high street with a more refined finish.
Mint Velvet — for the flowy maxi dresses and printed blouses, Mint Velvet is a strong premium match. The quality has improved significantly in recent seasons and it's consistently well-reviewed.
Jigsaw — understated, elegant, and beautifully made. If you love the linen and natural-fabric element of Tommy Bahama but want a more pared-back British aesthetic, Jigsaw is your answer.

Luxury & Designer

Zimmermann — the ultimate resort luxury option. Australian-born, globally beloved, and the spiritual big sister to Tommy Bahama's aesthetic. The prints, the quality, the silhouettes — it's a completely different price bracket but if you're going full holiday luxury, this is where to invest.
Max Mara — for the resort capsule that leans more into Italian elegance. Their linen tailoring and silk pieces are exceptional and have a timeless quality that Tommy Bahama's more tropical prints don't quite match.

Independent Picks

Aspiga — a brilliant UK-based independent brand with a genuinely similar resort DNA. Sustainable, beautifully printed, and made in small batches. The maxi dresses and kaftans are exceptional and the sizing is generous in the best possible way.
Bird & Knoll — an independent Australian resort label stocked by several UK boutiques. Their hand-painted prints and lightweight cotton pieces are extraordinary. A little known secret among stylists — and exactly the sort of find that makes you feel smug on holiday.

Never Guess Your Size in Tommy Bahama Again

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