Walter Baker Sizing: Does It Run True to Size — And How Do You Find Your UK Fit?

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

Walter Baker generally runs true to size, but because it's a US-sized brand with a body-conscious, tailored cut throughout much of its range, getting the conversion right before you buy is genuinely important — especially for UK shoppers who aren't used to shopping American sizing. Get it right and you've got a brilliantly polished, wearable wardrobe; get it wrong and even a beautiful dress can feel like a completely different garment.

I first came across Walter Baker through a client who'd picked up a blazer on a trip to New York and couldn't stop wearing it. The cut was sharp but not stiff, the fabric had real weight to it, and it sat perfectly on the shoulder. She had no idea what size she'd bought — just grabbed what looked right in the store. When she tried to reorder online back in the UK, that's when the confusion started. Sound familiar? That's exactly what this post is here to fix.

About Walter Baker

Walter Baker is a New York City-based contemporary womenswear label that launched in the 1990s and has since built a loyal following for its polished, feminine aesthetic. Think sharp blazers, figure-skimming cocktail dresses, silk-blend camisoles, statement tops, and tailored trousers — all cut for a woman who wants to look put-together without trying too hard. The brand has been stocked at Anthropologie, Nordstrom, and a raft of US department stores, and it's also picked up a celebrity following — reportedly worn by the likes of Taylor Swift and Blake Lively. Prices sit in the premium contemporary bracket, typically between £80 and £350, which makes understanding sizing before you click "buy" very much worth the effort.

Walter Baker Size Conversion Table

Walter Baker uses US numeric sizing (0–12) as well as XS–XL labels. Here's how that converts to UK, EU, and metric body measurements:

Always go by your body measurements rather than your usual UK size number. US brands often size slightly differently to UK high street, and Walter Baker's tailored cuts mean a centimetre or two can make a real difference to how a piece sits.

Does Walter Baker Run True to Size?

Broadly, yes — Walter Baker runs true to size across most of its range. This is a brand that cuts for a fairly defined silhouette: not ultra-slim, but definitely body-conscious. If you're used to buying relaxed or generously cut pieces elsewhere, Walter Baker might feel a touch more fitted than you expect at your usual size, particularly across the chest and waist.

The key thing to know is that Walter Baker doesn't do much vanity sizing. The measurements are reasonably honest, which is actually a good sign — it means the size chart above is genuinely useful, and checking your measurements against it will give you a reliable steer rather than a pleasant fiction.

Sizing by Garment Type

Dresses

Cocktail and bodycon styles run true to size or occasionally sit on the snug side — particularly in stretch fabrics. If you're between sizes, size up for comfort.
Wrap and midi dresses tend to be slightly more forgiving in the waist, but the bust can be the limiting factor — always check your bust measurement first.
Slip and cami-style dresses are cut close to the body. If you have a fuller bust, consider sizing up one and using a tailor to adjust elsewhere if needed.

Tops and Blouses

Most tops run true to size. The brand's signature silky, drape-fabric tops in particular are cut to sit just right at the standard size — not overly roomy, not restrictive.
Structured blouses with button fastenings can run slightly slim across the bust and shoulders. If you're broad-shouldered or a fuller cup, go up one size and belt or tuck as needed.
Knit tops tend to have a little more stretch so are more forgiving — true to size is generally the safe call here.

Blazers and Jackets

Blazers are where Walter Baker really shines, and they're cut to sit precisely at size. Unlike some US brands, these aren't boxy — they have a defined waist and a proper shoulder line.
True to size for most body types. If you plan to layer underneath, size up by one. The shoulder seam placement is everything with a blazer — check that first above all else.
Leather and faux-leather jackets run slightly slim; sizing up is a sensible move if you want to wear a chunky knit underneath.

Trousers and Skirts

Trousers are typically true to size in the waist, but the leg length skews to US proportions — if you're under 5'5", expect to hem. Worth noting before you order.
Fitted pencil skirts run true to size; flared and A-line styles have a little more room and are generally forgiving across the hips.
Always go by your waist measurement for bottoms, not your hip measurement — Walter Baker's trouser waistbands are fairly structured and don't have much give.

My Honest Fit Verdict

Walter Baker is a brilliant brand for women who know their measurements and shop methodically — the sizing is consistent, the quality is solid, and when a piece fits, it fits properly. The brand's sweet spot is dresses, blazers, and tops with a polished, cocktail-ready feel. It's not the place to come for relaxed, oversized dressing — everything here is cut with intent, and that means precision sizing pays off.

My one watch-out: if you're buying online from the US site and you're a UK size 12 or above, check the individual garment measurements carefully. The range extends to US 12 (UK 16) on most pieces, but some styles max out at US 10 (UK 14) — particularly in bodycon cuts. A quick check before ordering will save a frustrating return.

Similar Brands — Alternatives at Every Budget

Walter Baker sits firmly in the premium contemporary bracket. Here are my picks if you love the aesthetic but want to explore alternatives at different price points:

High Street

Reiss — The closest UK equivalent to Walter Baker in terms of polish and cut. Sharp tailoring, body-conscious silhouettes, and excellent blazers that sit at a very similar price point. A genuinely strong alternative.
Phase Eight — Particularly brilliant for Walter Baker-style cocktail dresses and occasion wear. The fabric quality is consistently good and the sizing is reliable.
Hobbs — For the tailored, workwear-adjacent side of Walter Baker. Excellent structured blazers and trousers with a proper fit ethos.
Ted Baker — Shares Walter Baker's love of feminine, polished occasion dressing. Watch the Ted Baker sizing though — it runs small, which is the opposite of the brand we're discussing here.
LK Bennett — Especially strong on dressed-up tops, midi dresses, and tailored separates in a similar sophistication bracket. Very popular for events and smart occasions.
French Connection — A solid mid-market pick for body-conscious dresses and sharp tops. Less refined than Walter Baker but great value for the aesthetic.
Whistles — Particularly relevant for the blazer and structured top side of Walter Baker's range. Thoughtful cuts, quality fabrics, and a grown-up aesthetic.

Premium

Veronica Beard — An American contemporary label with a very similar DNA to Walter Baker: polished, tailored, and pitched at the same smart-casual sweet spot.
ba&sh — The French answer to Walter Baker's NYC energy. Feminine, body-skimming, and excellent quality for the price. Strong on tops and dresses particularly.

Luxury / Designer

Diane von Furstenberg — The spiritual grandmother of everything Walter Baker does. If you love WB's wrap dresses and polished femininity taken up a notch, DVF is the obvious step up.
Roland Mouret — For the most dressed-up, body-conscious end of Walter Baker's range, Roland Mouret offers extraordinary construction and the kind of fit that makes cocktail dressing genuinely exciting.

Independent Picks

Kitri — A London-based independent label with a brilliant eye for colour-saturated, sharply cut dresses and blouses that feel like a UK cousin to Walter Baker's NYC vibe. Excellent sizing, brilliant returns policy, and deeply underrated.
Never Fully Dressed — Another London label, a bit more playful and print-led than Walter Baker but shares that same body-confident, feminine energy. Their wrap dresses in particular are a consistent sell-out and frankly superb.

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