What Is Sizing Like at 16 Arlington? Your Complete Guide Before You Buy

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

16 Arlington runs true to size in UK sizing for most styles, but structured, close-fitting pieces — particularly their famous feather-trim crepe dresses — have a tendency to come up snug, and sizing up by one is often the smarter move. I say this from experience: I was convinced I was a UK 10 in everything until a particular strapless midi dress from this brand politely disagreed. That internal boning is no joke. Here's everything you need to know before you click buy.

Who Is 16 Arlington?

If you've spotted someone at a wedding, gala, or red carpet looking like they walked straight off a film set — feathers trailing behind them, sequins catching every light in the room — there's a reasonable chance they were wearing 16 Arlington. Founded in London by Marco Capaldo and the late Federica Cavenati (whose loss the fashion world still feels deeply), the brand has built a devoted following for its maximalist, fiercely glamorous eveningwear. Think bodycon crepe midis trimmed with marabou feathers, sequin gowns with a cool-girl edge, and tailored separates that manage to feel both architectural and sensual at once.

Amal Clooney is a fan. So are a significant number of women who've realised that "occasion wear" doesn't have to mean playing it safe. At prices ranging from around £350 for separates up to £2,000-plus for gowns, this is an investment — so getting the size right really, truly matters.

16 Arlington Size Guide: UK, US, IT & FR Conversions

The brand uses UK sizing across all its ready-to-wear. Here's how it maps internationally:

UK SizeUS SizeIT SizeFR SizeUK 4US 0IT 36FR 32UK 6US 2IT 38FR 34UK 8US 4IT 40FR 36UK 10US 6IT 42FR 38UK 12US 8IT 44FR 40UK 14US 10IT 46FR 42UK 16US 12IT 48FR 44

Does 16 Arlington Run True to Size?

This is where it gets nuanced — and it genuinely depends on the garment category:

Structured dresses with boning (e.g. Minelli, Adelaide strapless styles): These are flagged as running large to size on stockists like Net-a-Porter. That said, they're fitted through the bodice with internal structure — if you're between sizes, go for the larger. The boning means there's very little give.
Crepe bodycon styles (e.g. Vesper, Tilde): These hug every curve. For most women, true to size works well — but if you're fuller in the hips relative to your waist, sizing up gives a far more comfortable (and elegant) result.
Jersey and viscose dresses (e.g. Leander): These are the most forgiving pieces in the range. True to size is generally the right call here; the fabric has natural stretch and recovery.
Tailored separates (trousers, blazers, leather pieces): Tend to be cut close to a standard UK fit. True to size for most, though the brand's trousers can feel narrow through the hip — again, go up a size if in doubt.
Tops and blouses: Some styles are designed with an intentionally oversized fit (their textured shirts, for example), so check the product notes before assuming standard sizing applies.

My Honest Sizing Tip

When it comes to the signature feather-trim pieces — the ones you're actually buying from 16 Arlington for — my advice is this: if you are in any way between sizes, or you know your bust or hips sit towards the top of a size range, go up. The last thing you want is to be tugging at the hem of a £900 dress all evening. I have made that mistake with similar brands (a certain Magda Butrym comes to mind — devastating at the time, very funny in retrospect) and I will not be doing it again.

If you're shopping via a third-party stockist like Selfridges, Net-a-Porter, or Matches, always check the individual product's "Size & Fit" notes — retailers frequently flag whether a specific style runs large or small, and for a brand at this price point, that note is worth reading twice.

High Street Alternatives With a Similar Glamour Factor

Not quite ready to commit to four figures? Honestly, fair enough. Here are the brands I'd point you towards if you want that 16 Arlington energy at a more accessible price point:

Phase Eight — Brilliant for feather-trim occasion dresses. Their sizing is consistent and runs true to size; a genuinely underrated brand for event dressing.
Coast — A go-to for UK occasion wear. Great embellished and satin midi styles with wide sizing. True to size throughout.
Reiss — For the tailored, sharper side of 16 Arlington's aesthetic. Superb quality at the premium high street tier. Sizes run true.
Ted Baker — Excellent for embellished occasion pieces and feather-detail separates. Ted Baker sizes small, so go up one — this one I've had to learn the hard way personally.
LK Bennett — Think classic, polished occasion dressing. Their satin and crepe pieces are excellent quality. Sizes consistently true to size.
Whistles — For the more understated, architectural side of evening dressing. Great quality fabrics and very consistent sizing.
All Saints — For leather skirts and the edgier separates that echo 16 Arlington's cool-girl tailoring. True to size, occasionally slightly long in the body for petite frames.

Two Independent Brands Worth Knowing

Nadine Merabi — A Manchester-based luxury occasionwear brand that seriously delivers on the feather and sequin front. A fraction of the 16 Arlington price point with real quality. Sizes are UK-standard and run true.
Rat & Boa — A London-founded indie label adored by stylists for their slinky, draped occasion pieces. Beautiful fabrics, genuine cool factor, and great sizing consistency. One to bookmark.

Premium & Luxury Alternatives

Self-Portrait (Premium) — The closest alternative in terms of aesthetic and occasion-dressing credentials. Very similar sizing approach to 16 Arlington.
Magda Butrym (Luxury) — Equally body-conscious cuts, equally feather-forward. Runs small — always size up.
Valentino (Luxury) — For the full maximalist evening look. Italian sizing; use the brand's own conversion chart.

Never Guess Your Size Again — Tellar Has You Covered

The whole point of Tellar is to take the guesswork out of exactly this kind of situation. With 16 Arlington, as with so many brands, the difference between a flattering fit and a £900 return is often just one size — and knowing which way to go in advance makes all the difference.

Here's how Tellar works:

Measure once — just your bust, waist, and hips (or use an existing brand size you trust)
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size across 1,500+ brands instantly — including luxury labels, high street staples, and everything in between
Always free — no app download, no paywall, no sponsored results. Just honest sizing data.

Visit tellar.co.uk — the UK's leading free sizing tool, built for real women who are done with guessing.

Plus, the Tellar Fashion Hub is a free library of honest, unbiased style guides written by stylists — covering everything from brand sizing breakdowns to body-shape advice, trend edits, and best buys. No sponsorship. No ads. Just straight-talking fashion content.