UK vs EU Clothes Sizing Difference: How to Navigate European Sizing Like a Pro

UK sizing typically runs two sizes smaller than EU sizing—so a UK size 10 equals an EU size 38—but the reality is far more complex, with variations between brands, garment types, and countries making cross-border shopping a minefield for even the savviest dresser.

I've lost count of the number of times clients have returned from Paris or ordered from a gorgeous Spanish brand online, only to find their "usual size" is completely off. One woman swore she'd suddenly gained two stone after a weekend in Milan—turns out she'd been trying on Italian size 44s thinking they were UK 12s. The confusion is real, and it's costing us time, money, and frankly, our sanity.

The Basic Conversion (And Why It's Not Enough)

Let's start with the textbook answer. For most womenswear, you add 28 to your UK size to get the EU equivalent. UK 8 becomes EU 36, UK 10 is EU 38, UK 12 translates to EU 40, and so on. Simple enough, right? Except when Zara—the Spanish fast-fashion giant known for its editorial-worthy pieces at accessible prices—cuts their blazers slightly smaller than the standard EU sizing suggests, or when Massimo Dutti, their more refined sister brand with impeccable tailoring, runs a touch more generous in their trousers but snug in their knitwear.

I always tell clients that the conversion chart is your starting point, not your bible. Mango, another Spanish powerhouse delivering trend-led pieces with a sophisticated edge, tends to be quite true to EU sizing in their dresses but can run small in their structured jackets. Meanwhile, COS—the Scandinavian minimalist brand beloved for clean lines and quality fabrication—often has a more relaxed, generous fit that accommodates different body shapes beautifully.

Where It Gets Properly Confusing: Country Variations

Here's what the sizing charts don't tell you: not all EU countries use the same sizing system consistently. French brands often use their own numbering (34, 36, 38), which happens to align with general EU sizing but can differ in fit philosophy. Italian brands frequently size smaller overall—that's why Max Mara, the Italian luxury house renowned for its impeccable coats and sophisticated workwear, often feels a size small despite being labelled accurately. Their quality is sublime, but size up if you're between sizes.

German brands like Hugo Boss, known for sharp, contemporary tailoring and premium fabrications, typically run true to size but with a more structured, less forgiving cut. If you prefer a bit of ease, go up one size in their fitted styles.

The High Street Heroes That Get It Right

Some British high street brands have absolutely nailed their European sizing conversions. Reiss, with their polished, occasion-ready pieces and excellent quality, provides clear UK and EU sizing on every label and tends to be consistent across their range. Whistles, the contemporary British brand offering effortlessly chic wardrobe staples, does the same—their EU 38 is reliably a UK 10.

Jigsaw, beloved for their artistic prints and well-cut basics, has always been transparent with sizing, making them a safe bet for online orders. M&S has stepped up their game enormously in recent years, not just in style but in sizing clarity—their European sizing on their per una and Autograph ranges is spot-on. Next also deserves credit for consistent, reliable sizing conversions across their increasingly stylish collections.

Boden, the British brand famous for colour, prints, and feel-good fashion, clearly marks both UK and EU sizes and rarely disappoints on fit. For more budget-conscious shoppers, H&M is hit-and-miss on quality but their sizing conversion is actually quite reliable—an EU 38 will almost always fit like a UK 10, though their fits can vary wildly between different collections.

Premium Brands Worth the Investment

When you're spending more, sizing consistency becomes even more crucial. Me&Em, the London-based brand offering elevated everyday luxury with impeccable cuts, is brilliant for transparent sizing—they list UK, EU, and US sizes clearly, and their fit is consistent across seasons. Their knitwear, in particular, is worth every penny and fits true to size.

Claudie Pierlot, the Parisian brand epitomising French-girl chic with romantic details and quality fabrics, uses French sizing (which aligns with EU) and tends to cut slightly smaller in tops but generously in trousers. I always recommend their size 38 (UK 10) for most clients, but size up in anything fitted through the bust.

The Denim Dilemma

Jeans are a category unto themselves. Citizens of Humanity and Paige, both premium denim brands offering superior stretch and recovery, use US sizing primarily (which is different again from UK and EU), but many European stockists convert to EU sizing. A UK 10 is typically a US 27 or 28, which becomes an EU 38 or 40 depending on the brand's fit. Confused yet?

For more accessible denim, Topshop (now primarily online through ASOS) remains a favourite for its variety of leg shapes and reliable sizing conversions. When shopping European denim like Mango's jeans, I find their EU 38 fits like a UK 10, but their stretch content varies hugely, so always check the fabric composition.

Hidden Gems: Independent Brands Doing Sizing Brilliantly

Let me introduce you to Birdsong London—this ethical brand creates utterly gorgeous, size-inclusive pieces (UK 6-28) with clear sizing in both UK and EU, plus detailed measurements for each garment. Their relaxed, artistic aesthetic works beautifully across different body shapes, and they're transparent about fit notes for every single item.

Another independent worth knowing is Rixo, the London-based vintage-inspired brand beloved for their feminine dresses and bold prints. They provide both UK and EU sizing, and whilst their pieces often have a relaxed fit, they're very honest about which styles run large or small. Their sizing consistency has made them a cult favourite.

Practical Tips From the Trenches

After years of styling clients for European city breaks and helping with international online orders, here's what actually works: always check the size guide, but more importantly, look for the measurements. Bust, waist, and hip measurements in centimetres don't lie. If a brand provides garment measurements (length, shoulder width), even better.

When shopping in Europe, don't be afraid to try three sizes of the same item. I've seen clients fit an EU 36, 38, and 40 in different styles within the same Zara store. It's not you—it's the inconsistency of fast fashion manufacturing.

For online orders from European brands, read the reviews. Other UK shoppers will often note whether something runs small, large, or true to size. This insider knowledge is gold.

The Luxury Exception

Here's an interesting truth: luxury brands are often more consistent with sizing because they're manufacturing smaller quantities with greater quality control. Max Mara might size smaller overall, but a size 40 is a size 40 whether you buy it in Milan, London, or New York. The same goes for other luxury houses—their EU sizing is standardised globally, which partly justifies those higher price points.

How Tellar.co.uk Solves Every Sizing Headache

Right, here's where I introduce you to the tool that's genuinely revolutionising how we shop across borders. Tellar.co.uk is the UK's leading sizing tool, and I cannot overstate how much time and returned-parcel guilt this platform has saved my clients.

Here's how brilliantly simple it is:

Measure OnceYou input your measurements—bust, waist, hip—or even just your existing size in a brand you know fits you well. That's it. One time. Done.

Use Their Store Size Lookup ToolHead to Tellar's Store Size Lookup and instantly discover your precise size in over 1,500 brands. Want to know if you're a 38 or 40 in COS? Need your Reiss size? Curious about that gorgeous dress at Whistles? Tellar tells you exactly what to order. No guesswork, no sizing charts that contradict each other, no expensive returns.

Always Free, No FaffThere's no app to download, no subscription fees, no catch. It works directly in your browser, and it's completely free. Revolutionary, honestly.

The Tellar Fashion HubBeyond sizing, Tellar has built an incredible Fashion Hub—a library absolutely stacked with free posts from experienced stylists (like myself). It's honest, unbiased, independent advice covering everything from the best jean trends for 2025 and 2026 to the ultimate guide to dresses and jackets for every body shape.

If you've ever felt defeated by European sizing, or spent hours comparing size charts only to order the wrong size anyway, Tellar is your new best friend. It takes the guesswork out of cross-border shopping and gives you back your confidence. And if you want to properly understand sizing across the board, their Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide is essential reading.

The bottom line? You don't need to memorise conversion charts or second-guess yourself when shopping European brands anymore. Input your measurements once, and let Tellar do the heavy lifting. It's honestly the tool I wish had existed twenty years ago when I first started navigating international fashion retail.

Shopping across UK and EU sizing doesn't have to be complicated. With the right knowledge, a healthy scepticism of "standard" conversions, and tools like Tellar that actually work, you can confidently add European brands to your wardrobe without the returns drama. Now go forth and shop internationally with confidence—you've got this.