Wallis Size Guide: What Size Am I in Wallis?

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

Wallis sizing is on the generous side — most shoppers find the brand runs slightly larger than the label suggests, so if you're hovering between two sizes, sizing down is usually the smarter move. That said, it varies by garment type, and with Petite, Plus and Tall ranges all cut differently, it's worth knowing exactly what you're working with before you buy.

I've been shopping Wallis on and off for years — it's one of those brands that quietly delivers when you need a dress for a work event or a wedding guest outfit without breaking the bank. I once ordered a wrap dress in my usual 12 and found it absolutely swamped me. Went back, tried the 10, and it fitted beautifully. That experience stuck with me, and I've since heard the same story from countless women. So let's get into the detail.

About Wallis — Who Is It For?

Wallis is a heritage British high street brand, founded in 1923 and still going strong. It has a loyal following among women who want polished, feminine dressing that works for real life — think smart workwear, occasion dresses, elevated knitwear and well-cut trousers. The brand is particularly strong on occasionwear and has a genuine commitment to inclusive sizing, with dedicated Petite (for heights 5'3" and under), Plus (UK 16–28) and Tall ranges — which is rarer than it should be at this price point.

Does Wallis Run Big or Small?

Wallis runs generously — consistently reported to come up larger than the labelled size, particularly in tops and dresses
Many regular shoppers size down one from their usual high street size, especially through the bust and waist
Fitted styles like bodycon dresses and tailored blazers are more true to size — size up if you're fuller in the chest
Wrap dresses, tie-waist styles and A-line cuts are the most forgiving and tend to accommodate a range of shapes well
Trousers are fairly true to size but can be generous through the hips; check the leg length as standard fits a 5'5"–5'8" frame
The Petite range is proportionally shorter throughout — not just cropped at the hem — making it genuinely useful for women 5'3" and under
The Plus range runs UK 16–28 and is well thought out; shapes are flattering rather than just scaled up

Wallis Size Conversion Table

Wallis uses standard UK sizing. Here's how it maps to EU, US and body measurements in centimetres:

UK SizeEU SizeUS SizeBust (cm)Waist (cm)Hips (cm)6342806287836483659010386876993124089173971442109577101164412998110518461410385109204816107891132250181119311724522011799123

These are body measurements, not garment measurements. Given Wallis runs generous, compare your measurements to the size below your usual label size before ordering online.

Fit by Garment Type

Dresses: This is where Wallis excels — and where the generous sizing is most noticeable. Wrap dresses, midi styles and empire-line cuts are beautifully proportioned and flattering across body shapes. Bodycon or structured shift dresses sit more true to size; if you're a fuller bust, you may need to size up in those styles specifically. I'd always suggest measuring your bust first and using that as your guide.

Tops & blouses: These tend to come up the most generous of all the categories. If you're a neat 12 elsewhere, a Wallis 10 in a blouse will likely serve you better. Anything with a button-through front is worth being particularly careful about through the bust — measure and compare rather than guessing.

Trousers & skirts: Generally more true to size than tops, though still on the comfortable side rather than slim-fitting. Wallis cuts well for curves — there's usually good allowance through the hips and thighs without the waist gaping. If you're petite, the Petite range trousers are worth choosing over standard, as the leg length and rise are proportioned differently, not just hemmed shorter.

Knitwear: Wallis knitwear is relaxed in fit by design, so expect a comfortable, slightly oversized look in your usual size. If you prefer a more fitted jumper, go down one size.

Occasionwear & jackets: These are more structured and tend to run true to size — particularly blazers and tailored coats. Size up if you plan to layer underneath.

My Honest Stylist Take

For what it is — an accessible, inclusive British high street brand — Wallis punches above its weight on occasion dressing in particular. The quality on their midi dresses and smart trousers is genuinely good, and I've styled clients in Wallis pieces that people assumed were far more expensive than they were. The key is knowing that the sizing runs large, going in with your measurements rather than your usual label, and being prepared to size down. Do that, and you'll rarely be disappointed.

Similar Brands Worth Knowing

If you love the Wallis aesthetic — polished, feminine, occasion-ready — here are the brands I'd point you towards, from high street through to designer:

High street picks:

Phase Eight — the closest comparison to Wallis in terms of occasionwear and smart-casual dressing; beautiful wrap and midi dresses with flattering, feminine cuts. Consistently well reviewed for quality at the price point.
Hobbs — impeccably cut workwear and occasion pieces with thorough size guides. A step up in price from Wallis but a natural next brand to explore for similar occasions.
Mint Velvet — slightly more relaxed in aesthetic but brilliant for elevated everyday dressing, with great occasion pieces and a very similar customer base. Sizing is more consistent than Wallis.
Coast — Wallis's closest rival for wedding guest and event dressing specifically. Beautiful fabrication on their formal dresses; sizing is true to size or slightly generous.
M&S — genuinely excellent for workwear basics, trousers and knitwear; their Per Una and Autograph lines overlap considerably with Wallis's offering at comparable prices. Strong Petite range.
Next — a solid alternative with an enormous size range (including Petite and Plus), detailed size guides online, and reliable cut through the hips and waist. Particularly good for trousers.
Boden — for a smarter, more print-led take on the same kind of wearable feminine dressing. Sizing runs true; their knitwear is a genuine step up in quality from Wallis.
Reiss — for the premium version of the Wallis shift dress or tailored trouser. Significantly more expensive but the construction and fabric quality reflects that. Sizing tends to be more precise — true to size or slightly small.

Independent brands worth discovering:

Ghost London — a British brand making beautifully draped dresses and tops in satin-feel fabrics that have a timeless, slightly vintage feel. A brilliant step up from Wallis for special occasions; sizing is true to size and their online size guide is detailed. Not nearly enough people know about them and they're genuinely worth a look.
Baukjen — a London-based sustainable brand with a beautifully edited range of smart, feminine pieces from dresses to tailored separates. Similar aesthetic to Wallis but with better fabric credentials and a very loyal following. Sizing runs true and the quality is excellent for the price.

Still Not Sure What Size You Are in Wallis?

This is exactly the problem Tellar.co.uk solves. Tellar is the UK's leading free sizing tool — matching your exact measurements to over 1,500 brands instantly, Wallis included.

Measure once — bust, waist and hips — and Tellar does the rest
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise recommended size in Wallis and every other brand you shop
No downloads, no subscriptions, no faff — completely free and works in-browser

And while you're there, explore the Tellar Fashion Hub — a library of free, honest, unsponsored style posts written by our team of stylists. No ads. No sponsored content. Just genuinely useful fashion advice.

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