What is Sizing Like at Brave Soul?

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

Brave Soul runs slightly small, particularly in women's outerwear and fitted styles — so if you're on the fence between two sizes, my honest advice is to size up. That said, the brand isn't wildly inconsistent — once you know your Brave Soul size, the rest of your shopping becomes a lot easier.

I'll be straight with you: I've had my fair share of Brave Soul moments. A gorgeous quilted jacket that I ordered in my usual size 12 arrived looking more like a cosy straitjacket than the relaxed weekend layer I had in mind. Sized up to a 14? Perfect. Lesson learned. But I've also ordered their jersey dresses in my standard size and had them fit beautifully. Which is exactly why understanding how Brave Soul fits across different categories is so important — it genuinely varies.

So, Who Is Brave Soul?

If you're not already familiar, Brave Soul is a British fashion label founded in Manchester back in 1972. They sit firmly in the affordable, trend-led space — the kind of brand you find all over ASOS, Amazon, and their own site, offering fashion-forward pieces at genuinely accessible prices. Think puffer jackets, knit dresses, cargo trousers, co-ord sets, and summer swimwear that doesn't break the bank. They're not trying to be Reiss, and they're not pretending otherwise — that's part of why they have such a loyal following.

Is Brave Soul True to Size?

Here's the honest answer: it depends on what you're buying.

Outerwear (jackets, puffers, coats): These tend to run slightly small, especially across the shoulders and bust. The brand favours a slimmer, more fashion-forward silhouette in its structured styles, which means the extra bulk of layering underneath can catch you out. I'd always recommend sizing up by one if you're wearing a jumper or thick knit beneath.
Fitted tops & dresses: Again, Brave Soul leans toward a closer cut in its fitted styles. If you're between sizes or on the fuller side of your usual size, go up. Jersey dresses and relaxed smock styles tend to be more forgiving.
Knitwear & loungewear: These are generally more in line with standard UK high street sizing. Still worth checking the product-specific measurements, but you're less likely to have a nasty surprise here.
Swimwear & co-ords: Brave Soul's swimwear and matching sets are cute and affordable — but the sizing can be snug. If you're curvier on top, I'd recommend sizing up in bikini tops and one-pieces specifically.

Tips for Getting Your Brave Soul Size Right

From personal experience and plenty of client conversations, here's what actually helps:

Always read the product reviews — ASOS shoppers in particular leave brilliant, detailed fit notes. If half the reviews say "size up," believe them.
Pay attention to the category — outerwear and structured pieces need different consideration than jersey or woven separates.
Measure your bust — this is the single most useful measurement when shopping Brave Soul jackets and coats. Their shoulder seams and chest fit are where the sizing runs most noticeably fitted.
If you're tall — sleeves on Brave Soul jackets can run a little short. Worth bearing in mind if you're above 5'8".

High Street Alternatives to Brave Soul

If Brave Soul doesn't quite fit or you want to explore similar trend-led, affordable pieces with perhaps a more generous cut, here are some brilliant high street options worth considering:

River Island — a brilliant Brave Soul alternative for trend-led outerwear and co-ords. River Island's sizing tends to be slightly more generous across the bust, and their jacket range is seriously strong right now.
New Look — one of the best for generous cuts across all categories. Their puffers and quilted jackets regularly get brilliant reviews, and sizing here is notably more comfortable than Brave Soul's structured fits.
Topshop (via ASOS) — still one of the most referenced brands in fashion editorial for a reason. Trend-forward, great dresses and knitwear, and their sizing is consistently reliable.
H&M — H&M actually runs slightly larger than Brave Soul on the whole, which is worth knowing if you're used to Brave Soul's snugger fits. Great for layering basics and affordable outerwear.
Next — underrated for stylish, well-cut pieces at sensible prices. Their sizing is generous and consistent, and their delivery and returns are faultless — ideal if you're unsure.
Urban Outfitters — if you love Brave Soul's youthful, relaxed aesthetic, Urban Outfitters is your next port of call. Their co-ords and oversized knitwear are particularly strong, and sizing tends to be relaxed rather than fitted.
Hollister — a solid choice for casualwear and loungewear if Brave Soul's basics don't quite land for you. Their sizing is quite standard and their fleeces and hoodies are consistently well-reviewed.
Phase Eight — if you're looking for a step up in quality with a similar British aesthetic, Phase Eight delivers beautifully cut dresses and occasion wear that punch well above their price point.

Independent & Niche Brands Worth Knowing

And here are my two left-field picks this month — brands that fly slightly under the radar but absolutely deserve more attention:

Lucy & Yak — a brilliant independent British brand known for colourful dungarees, jumpsuits, and sustainable casual wear. Their sizing is inclusive and well-considered, with detailed fit notes for every style. If Brave Soul's casual side appeals to you, Lucy & Yak will make your heart sing.
Damson Madder — a small independent UK womenswear label doing really beautiful, easy-to-wear pieces. Think relaxed linen trousers, softly tailored blazers, and earthy-toned knitwear. Sizing is genuinely true to standard UK sizes, and the quality is miles above the price point.

Premium & Luxury Alternatives

If you're ready to invest a little more — perhaps for a key piece that'll work harder in your wardrobe — here's where I'd look:

Ted Baker — for elevated outerwear and occasion-ready dresses. Ted Baker sizing tends to run true to size and the quality leap over Brave Soul is immediately noticeable in the fabric and finishing.
Reiss — impeccable tailoring and a range of outerwear that's genuinely worth the investment. Their sizing is consistent and well-documented, and a Reiss coat will outlast five Brave Soul jackets.
Max Mara — at the luxury end, Max Mara is the gold standard for outerwear. Their camel coats are iconic for a reason, and sizing is consistently measured and generous. A genuine wardrobe investment.

Never Guess Your Size in Brave Soul Again

Brave Soul's sizing quirks are exactly what Tellar.co.uk was built for. Tellar is the UK's leading clothing size tool — you measure once, and it instantly matches your body to the right size across 1,500+ brands. No more returns. No more guessing.

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