What Is Sizing Like at AFRM? A Stylist's Honest Take

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

AFRM runs slightly small, so I'd strongly recommend sizing up one — especially if you're between sizes or carry any volume in the bust or hips. It's one of those brands where the cut is immaculate when it fits, and a complete mystery when it doesn't.

I discovered AFRM during a late-night scroll (we've all been there) and was immediately drawn in by the aesthetic — structured, minimal, quietly confident. The kind of clothes that don't shout but absolutely do the work. I ordered my usual size, a UK 12, and spent a genuinely anxious few days waiting. When it arrived, the top was technically on — but only just. Lesson learned. Sizing up to a 14 the second time around? Completely different story. Perfection.

Who Is AFRM?

AFRM (pronounced "affirm") is a Los Angeles-based contemporary womenswear brand that launched around 2018. They pitch themselves somewhere between minimalist basics and elevated everyday dressing — think fluid trousers, structured blazers, sleek midi dresses, and the sort of tops that just look expensive without trying too hard. Their aesthetic sits firmly in the modern, polished space that a lot of us are moving towards: fewer pieces, better quality, more considered.

Sizing runs in US sizes, which already adds a layer of confusion for UK shoppers. Their range typically goes from XS through to XL, with some styles offering extended sizing. The US to UK conversion is broadly one to two sizes up — so a US Small is roughly a UK 8–10, a US Medium a UK 10–12, and so on.

How Does AFRM Sizing Actually Work?

Here's what I've found — both personally and from a fairly extensive read of customer reviews across their site and stockists:

Size up as a starting point. This is the single most consistent piece of advice across hundreds of reviews. The brand runs small, particularly through the bust and waist.
Tops and bodysuits are the trickiest category. The cuts are often close-fitting and the stretch is limited. If you're a D cup or above, I'd go up two sizes without hesitation.
Trousers and wide-leg styles tend to be more generous — several reviewers note these fit true to size or even run slightly large in the waist.
Dresses vary wildly depending on the silhouette. Wrap-style and bias-cut dresses are more forgiving; anything with a defined bodice should be sized up.
Blazers and outerwear are generally the most straightforward — true to size, and the structured cut means they sit beautifully even with a little extra room.

The Fabric Factor

AFRM uses a lot of woven fabrics — crepe, satin-back crepe, ponte — which have minimal stretch and zero forgiveness. This is part of why the brand looks so polished, but it's also why the sizing issue catches people out. If you're used to shopping stretch jersey or knit-heavy brands, AFRM will feel different on the body. Not unpleasant — in fact, the structure is quite lovely — just less forgiving. Factor that in before you order.

My Honest Verdict

AFRM is absolutely worth the investment, but go in with your eyes open on sizing. Use your measurements rather than guessing from your usual label, check whether the specific style is woven or knit, and when in doubt — size up. The clothes genuinely reward a proper fit. When they're right, they're really, really right.

High Street Alternatives Worth Knowing About

If you love the AFRM aesthetic but want a bit more certainty (or a lower price point), these brands nail a similar elevated-minimal vibe:

COS — The king of Scandi minimalism on the high street. Impeccable fabrics, clean lines, and sizing that's remarkably consistent.
Whistles — One of my genuine go-tos for that polished-but-not-trying-too-hard look. Excellent tailoring at a sensible price.
Massimo Dutti — The grown-up sibling of Zara, with the most beautifully considered separates and a colour palette that just makes sense.
Mango — Has had a genuine glow-up in recent years. Their tailored trousers and structured blazers are a legitimate AFRM alternative.
Reiss — For the investment-feel pieces. The cut and fabric quality here is genuinely premium for a high street price.
Anthropologie — A different flavour — more romantic and textural — but when they do minimal, they do it brilliantly. Their trousers especially.
Jigsaw — Understated, thoughtfully made, and reliably sized. Perfect for anyone who wants the AFRM polish without the transatlantic sizing gamble.
Me&Em — Possibly the most AFRM-adjacent British brand on the market right now. Structured, modern, genuinely good quality, and their sizing is thorough.

Premium & Independent Picks

If your budget stretches a little further, or you fancy something a bit more off-piste:

Aligne — A brilliant UK independent brand built on sustainable fabrics and really thoughtful minimalist design. Their tailored pieces are gorgeous and the sizing is generous and consistent. One I genuinely recommend to clients regularly.
Never Fully Dressed — The opposite end of the minimal spectrum, but hear me out — their tailoring is exceptional and their size range is genuinely inclusive. If you want AFRM structure but with a bit more personality, this is your brand.
Claudie Pierlot — For the premium tier. French, impeccably made, and they understand structured elegance in a way that feels aligned with what AFRM is reaching for.
Max Mara — The luxury answer. If AFRM is your starting point aesthetically, Max Mara is the destination. The fabrics and construction are in a different league entirely.

Never Get AFRM Sizing Wrong Again

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Plus, the Tellar Fashion Hub is packed with honest, unsponsored posts from our team of stylists — covering everything from brand reviews to body shape guides and trend edits. No ads. No affiliates influencing our opinions. Just genuinely useful fashion content, always free.

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