What Is Sizing Like at Camilla? An Honest Stylist's Fit Guide

Camilla generally runs true to its own size chart and fits on the generous side rather than small – but the real catch is that the fit changes dramatically depending on the style. A floaty kaftan, a tailored trouser and a swimsuit can all be labelled the same size and fit completely differently. So before you spend £400–£800 on one of those glorious printed pieces, it pays to know exactly what you're dealing with.

I've styled clients into Camilla for weddings in Marrakech, milestone-birthday holidays and more than one "I just want to feel incredible on the beach" moment. It's a brand I genuinely adore – but it's also one I've watched people get wrong, so let me save you the heartache (and the return-postage drama).

Why Camilla sizing isn't as simple as "one size fits all"

Camilla is built on drape, movement and those hand-embellished prints – not on snug, body-con tailoring. The brand itself says its sizing offers a soft, comfortable fit and typically doesn't run small. In my experience that's broadly true, but with some important caveats:

Grading isn't consistent across categories. An "M" kaftan is cut for airflow and a forgiving silhouette; an "M" tailored trouser or structured dress is engineered to skim. They are not the same fit.
One-size pieces are genuinely generous. The signature kaftans and T-shape styles comfortably cover roughly a UK 8 to a UK 16, and the belts, ties and knots let you cinch them to your shape.
Structured and swim pieces run closer to the body. Swimwear, bias-cut gowns and anything with internal boning or lining tend to feel a full size smaller than you'd expect from a UK high street brand.
It's true to its own chart, but cut leaner than standard sizing. Don't assume your usual number – check the flat-lay measurements on each product page.

A fit fail I still think about

Years ago a client bought a stunning Camilla evening dress online in her "usual" size for a black-tie do, without checking the specifics. It pulled across the upper back and nipped at the shoulder seam the second she raised her arms – classic sign the structured cut was simply too small, even though the number matched. We had no time to exchange. Lesson learned the hard way: with Camilla, the silhouette type matters far more than the size label. The kaftan she wore the following summer, by contrast, fit like a dream in the exact same size – because it was designed to drape, not to grip.

How to actually nail your Camilla size

Measure your best-fitting dress flat – bust, waist and hip – then compare against Camilla's flat-lay specs on the product page (double the flat measurement to get the full circumference).
Match the silhouette to your goal: go for a one-size or kaftan style if you want forgiving, breezy comfort; size up only on unstructured pieces if you're between sizes.
For tailored, evening or swim, treat it as running small and check the bust and hip numbers closely – this is where most fit disappointments happen.
Mind the 14-day returns window. Camilla's return policy is tight, so getting the size right first time genuinely matters.

Where else to shop for that boho-luxe, print-led look

If you love the Camilla aesthetic – bold prints, drapey resort silhouettes and occasion-ready glamour – here's where I'd send clients across every budget. I've chosen these specifically for how well they echo Camilla's vibe, not just to fill a list.

High street

Monsoon – the original UK home of embellished, print-heavy occasion and holiday pieces; the closest spiritual cousin to a Camilla kaftan on the high street.
Mango – brilliant for affordable printed maxi dresses and resort separates with a more elevated feel than the price suggests.
Boden – joyful prints and easy summer dresses with a flattering, generous cut and reliable sizing.
Seasalt Cornwall – relaxed, print-led pieces with a coastal softness that suits the resort mood beautifully.
Phase Eight – dependable for occasion and event dressing when you want drape and a bit of drama.
Coast – go-to for glamorous evening and wedding-guest pieces at an accessible price.
Anthropologie – print, texture and that artful, collected-it-on-my-travels feel Camilla fans adore.

Premium

Hush – effortless luxe-relaxed pieces and beautiful holiday kaftans that feel considered and grown-up.
Me&Em – elevated, clever cuts and statement prints designed to flatter a real body.
Whistles – modern, fashion-forward prints with a sharper, more contemporary edge.

Luxury / designer

Max Mara – for investment resort and occasion pieces with impeccable fabric and a timeless, sculptural silhouette.

Two independent labels worth discovering

And because the best style finds are the ones nobody else is wearing, here are two lesser-known independents that capture the Camilla spirit gorgeously:

Pink City Prints – a British independent doing hand-block-printed, romantic boho dresses with the kind of soulful detail Camilla collectors love.
Hayley Menzies – bold, painterly prints across silk and knitwear, with a jet-set, maximalist energy that feels right at home next to Camilla.

The quickest way to get your size right, every time

Honestly, the smartest thing you can do before buying any Camilla piece is stop guessing. That's exactly why I built Tellar.

Tellar – the UK's leading sizing tool

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