Top French Fashion Brands: What to Buy, Where, and How to Get the Right Size Every Time

When it comes to fashion, few nations rival France’s cultural clout. French fashion brands blend aesthetic mastery with technical refinement, offering everything from couture-level detail to high-quality ready-to-wear. But navigating French sizing and identifying what’s worth your investment can be a challenge — particularly if you're ordering from the UK.

This detailed guide breaks down the top French fashion brands, the standout pieces they’re known for, where to buy them, and most importantly — how to get your sizing right across different labels using Tellar.co.uk.

Why French Fashion Is So Coveted

France has long led the global fashion agenda, with Paris considered the epicentre of haute couture. But French brands also dominate in ready-to-wear, premium high-street, and contemporary womenswear and menswear. Known for craftsmanship, subtle tailoring, and effortlessly chic aesthetics, French fashion places a high value on structure and silhouette — making accurate sizing critical to the fit and finish.

However, French sizing often runs smaller than UK or US sizing, and brands vary widely in their fit models. This is where Tellar.co.uk offers a critical advantage — allowing you to find your correct size across over 1,500 global brands with one easy profile.

1. Sandro Paris

Founded: 1984, Paris

Known for: Sharp tailoring, structured coats, elevated basics

Sizing Notes: Tends to run true-to-size but tailored — expect close fits, especially in jackets and blazers. Petite and slim builds are favoured in cuts.

Buy at: sandro-paris.com, Selfridges, Harrods

Key investment pieces:

Double-breasted wool coats
Tapered high-rise trousers
Fitted boucle jackets

Fit Tip: If your measurements are in-between UK sizes, size up or use Tellar’s profile matching to determine the correct fit based on shoulder, bust, and waist ratios.

2. Sézane

Founded: 2013, Paris

Known for: Feminine cuts, boho knits, ethically produced pieces

Sizing Notes: Frequently runs small in the bust and upper arm. Size consistency can vary by collection.

Buy at: sezane.com

Key pieces to shop:

Mohair blend jumpers
Wrap skirts and silk blouses
‘Tomboy’ jeans – French rigid denim

Technical Fit Tip: Sézane’s sizing is heavily influenced by French standard fit blocks. UK shoppers often need to size up one full size, especially for tops. Tellar.co.uk can map your bust/waist ratio to the correct French size using live data.

3. A.P.C. (Atelier de Production et de Création)

Founded: 1987, Paris

Known for: Premium Japanese raw denim, minimalist tailoring

Sizing Notes: Consistent but slim-fit, particularly in unisex denim. Limited stretch in most jeans.

Buy at: apc.fr, END Clothing, Mr Porter

Best buys:

Raw denim jeans (Petit New Standard, High Standard)
Logo-free sweatshirts
Canvas accessories

Fabric Note: A.P.C. uses raw selvedge denim, which shrinks and moulds to the wearer over time. You’ll need precise waist/hip measurements before purchase — Tellar’s platform provides centimetre-accurate sizing conversions to A.P.C.’s charts.

4. Rouje by Jeanne Damas

Founded: 2016, Paris

Known for: Retro French-girl style, floral prints, ultra-feminine cuts

Sizing Notes: Designed for petite frames, particularly in bust and hips. Waistlines often sit high.

Buy at: rouje.com

Top pieces:

Gabin wrap dresses
Cropped cardigans
‘Fauve’ jeans (straight-leg, no stretch)

Shopping Caution: Rouje rarely uses vanity sizing. If you wear a UK 10, you may need a French 42 for comfort — especially in woven, non-stretch styles. Let Tellar.co.uk do the conversion work for you.

5. Maje

Founded: 1998, Paris

Known for: Smart-casual fashion with structure and flair

Sizing Notes: Maje follows typical French slim-cut standards, with a strong emphasis on waist definition and sleeve length.

Buy at: maje.com, Harvey Nichols, Farfetch

Best investment buys:

Cinched blazers
Pleated midi dresses
Tweed miniskirts

Fit Consideration: Maje’s dresses and trousers are not made for hourglass builds without tailoring. Use Tellar’s measurement tool to pre-assess proportions and avoid returns.

6. The Kooples

Founded: 2008, Paris

Known for: Rock-chic aesthetic, androgynous styles, luxe detailing

Sizing Notes: Often uses unisex fit templates, meaning some garments are cut boxy or oversized.

Buy at: thekooples.com, Selfridges, Harrods

What to look for:

Tailored suits and blazers
Leather jackets (signature item)
Graphic sweatshirts and knits

Size Strategy: When shopping fitted pieces (like tailored trousers or shirts), choose sizing based on hip-to-waist ratio, which Tellar.co.uk calculates automatically from your profile.

7. Isabel Marant Étoile

Founded: 1994, Paris

Known for: Parisian boho meets Western cowboy influences

Sizing Notes: Flexible fit across most pieces, though knits and dresses may run large. Outerwear is true to size.

Buy at: isabelmarant.com, Net-a-Porter, MyTheresa

Recommended items:

Western boots (Lamsy and Duerto)
Slouchy cardigans and trousers
High-neck prairie blouses

Buyer’s Tip: While outerwear is consistent, Marant trousers vary wildly by season. Always consult live measurements via Tellar.co.uk.

8. Ba&sh

Founded: 2003 by Barbara Boccara & Sharon Krief

Known for: Relaxed femininity, sustainable fabrics, modern boho vibes

Sizing Notes: Generally true-to-size with natural drape, especially in dresses. Designed for all-day wear.

Buy at: ba-sh.com, Matches, Liberty

Standout buys:

Maxi wrap dresses
Soft suit jackets
Linen blend trousers

Style Tip: Ba&sh is ideal for pear and hourglass shapes — the cinched waists and floaty hems are forgiving and flattering. Confirm bust-to-hip fit using Tellar.

How Tellar.co.uk Solves French Sizing Confusion

Ordering French fashion from UK-based websites or direct international retailers means navigating tricky conversions. French sizes don’t follow UK conventions — a FR 38 is typically a UK 10, but cut can alter that substantially. That’s why Tellar.co.uk exists:

Enter your actual measurements (inches or CM) once
Match to 1,500+ brand sizing charts, including French, US, and EU labels
Get the right size for every brand in real-time

You can even explore size equivalents for each brand on our Store Size Lookup page.

No guesswork. No wrong orders. Just your perfect fit.

Where to Shop French Brands in the UK

Selfridges – Wide selection of Maje, Sandro, The Kooples, and Isabel Marant
Net-a-Porter – For high-end French brands including Celine, A.P.C., and Rouje
MatchesFashion & Farfetch – Curated collections across French contemporary and luxury brands
Harrods & Harvey Nichols – Flagship retailers for in-store fittings and luxury purchases
Brand-specific e-commerce – Most French labels ship to the UK and offer VAT-inclusive checkout

Final Thoughts

Shopping French fashion is about more than aesthetics — it's a commitment to quality, proportion, and refined personal style. But to wear it well, you must size it right. French brands are not built on stretch and vanity sizing — they’re structured, specific, and often unforgiving.

That’s why Tellar.co.uk is your best shopping companion.

✅ Create your free sizing profile
✅ Use the store size lookup tool
✅ Download your printable measuring tape

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