What Is My Size at Forever Unique?

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

Forever Unique follows standard UK sizing, but the brand runs one size smaller than average — if you're typically a UK 12, sizing up to a 14 will almost always give you a better, more comfortable fit, particularly across their signature bodycon silhouettes and structured occasion dresses.

I've been a Forever Unique fan for years, but I'll be honest — I've had my fair share of sizing disasters before I cracked the code. I once ordered a slinky midi dress in my usual size for a friend's birthday dinner and spent a very uncomfortable evening barely able to sit down. Lesson learnt. The brand is built for drama — sequins, bodycon cuts, plunging necklines — and that glamour comes with a very specific fit philosophy. Once you understand that, shopping here becomes genuinely exciting.

Who Is Forever Unique?

Forever Unique is a Manchester-born luxury occasionwear brand, founded in 2010 by Seema Malhotra (yes, the one from The Real Housewives of Cheshire). The brand is entirely unapologetic about its love of sequins, cutouts, and curves — and I mean that as a huge compliment. It occupies a sweet spot between accessible luxury and pure occasion wear, and it's become a go-to for anyone who wants to make a serious entrance at a wedding, black-tie event, or a very glamorous Saturday night out.

The label stocks UK sizes 6 through to 18 across most styles, and their fit is built around a defined, hourglass silhouette. That's important to understand before you buy — if you're more straight up-and-down in shape, some of their more structured pieces may gape at the waist or pull across the hips. It's not a brand that cuts for every body without thought; it's proudly designed for curves and it shows.

How Does Forever Unique Sizing Actually Run?

Here's what I tell anyone before they shop:

Bodycon dresses: Size up — always. These styles are cut close to the body and the stretch fabric has very little forgiveness. If you're between sizes, the larger one wins every time.
Structured midi and maxi dresses: These tend to be slightly more generous, but still err on the side of going up if you carry weight on your hips or thighs.
Embellished and sequin pieces: The boning and embellishment on some styles adds structure that can affect the fit — if the dress has boning at the bodice, it will run tighter than its label size suggests.
Jumpsuits and co-ords: Tricky if you're petite or have a longer torso — check the product descriptions carefully for any height guidance, and consider having a nip-and-tuck with a local tailor if the length is slightly off.

My honest advice? If you're ordering online, always check the returns policy before committing. The brand is fairly consistent, but sequin and embellished pieces in particular can vary style to style.

What Are the Best High Street Alternatives for Occasion Wear?

If Forever Unique feels like a stretch for the budget right now, or you just want to compare sizing before committing, these brands are brilliant alternatives — and all worth bookmarking for your next event:

Phase Eight — My absolute go-to for weddings. Beautiful fabrication, runs true to size, and their midis photograph brilliantly. A more forgiving fit than Forever Unique across the board.
Coast — Hugely underrated for occasion wear. Tends to run slightly generously, great for fuller busts, and the embellished pieces rival Forever Unique's aesthetic at a lower price point.
Ted Baker — Consistently flattering across body types. Ted uses their own sizing (0–5 scale), which trips people up, but once you know your number, it's a reliable buy every time.
Hobbs — More classic, but their sequin and lace occasion pieces are genuinely gorgeous. Runs true to size, slightly more forgiving at the hip than Forever Unique.
River Island — Don't sleep on River Island for occasion wear. Their going-out and occasion edit has improved enormously and they stock great bodycon options for a fraction of the price. True to size in most styles.
Monsoon — Brilliant for flowy occasion maxi dresses and anything embroidered or embellished. Runs true to size, occasionally generous. A lovely option if Forever Unique's bodycon silhouette isn't your thing.
Whistles — Understated glamour done properly. Not as sequin-heavy, but for a more refined occasion look, their silk-blend dresses are hard to beat. Runs true to size with slightly slim-cut shoulders.
Reiss — Polished, elevated occasion wear that photographs beautifully. Sizes run true to size with a slightly slim, tailored cut — worth sizing up if you're fuller at the bust or hip.

Two Left-Field Picks Worth Knowing About

If you want something a little more off-the-radar — the kind of dress that makes people ask "where on earth is that from?" — these two brands deserve a spot on your radar:

Goddiva — A brilliant, undersung UK brand that delivers serious Forever Unique energy at a friendlier price. Their sequin maxi dresses and cutout minis are genuinely stunning. Sizing runs small — go up at least one size and check measurements carefully.
Chi Chi London — Proper occasion-wear specialists with a huge range of embellished and structured dresses. Their sizing is more consistent than Forever Unique and they cater brilliantly to petite and plus-size ranges too. A hidden gem.

Premium & Designer Options

If you're planning to invest a little more, these are the brands I'd be pointing you towards for that true luxury occasion finish:

Needle & Thread — The most beautiful embellished and floral dresses on the market at the premium level. Sizing runs slightly small — use their size guide and measure carefully.
Self-Portrait — A perennial favourite for weddings and black-tie. Consistently true to size with incredibly flattering silhouettes. One of the best-fitting brands in the premium occasion category.
Jenny Packham — If budget allows, this is where occasion dressing becomes genuinely exceptional. The beading and embellishment is unparalleled. Sizes run to the standard UK scale; have an alterations budget in mind as the fit is best fully tailored.

Never Guess Your Size Again — Try Tellar

This is exactly the kind of brand-specific sizing nuance that Tellar was built for. If Forever Unique sizing has you second-guessing yourself (and honestly, it does that to everyone at first), Tellar.co.uk takes the stress out of it entirely.

Here's how it works:

Measure once — bust, waist, and hips — or simply enter a size you already know works in another brand
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your exact size matched across 1,500+ brands instantly — including Forever Unique
No downloads, no subscriptions, no faff — it's completely free and works directly in your browser

It's the UK's leading sizing tool, and honestly? Once you've used it, you'll wonder how you shopped without it. No more returning gorgeous dresses because you ordered the wrong size. No more playing guessing games with brand-specific sizing quirks.

The Tellar Fashion Hub is also packed with free, honest styling posts from our team of stylists — covering everything from the best jean trends to how to dress for your body shape. Always unbiased, always free, always written by real people who genuinely love fashion.

Find My Size at Tellar →