What Is Sizing Like at CFCL?

CFCL runs true to size BUT it uses Japanese numeric sizing — 0, 1, 2, 3 and occasionally up to 5 — rather than the UK 8–18 scale you’re used to, and because almost everything is 3D-knitted with a generous amount of stretch, the brand fits true to size or even a touch forgiving. So if you’ve been staring at a “size 1” on a product page wondering whether you’re about to order something built for a doll, relax. You’re not. Let me walk you through exactly how it works, because CFCL is one of those labels where the number on the tag tells you very little until someone explains the logic behind it.

First, a quick word on why CFCL sizing feels different

CFCL stands for Clothing For Contemporary Life, founded in 2020 by Yusuke Takahashi, who cut his teeth at Issey Miyake. That heritage matters enormously for fit. Nearly every piece is made on 3D computer-knitting machines, often with no seams at all, which means the fabric stretches and recovers around your body rather than being cut to a fixed pattern. The signature POTTERY dresses are the perfect example — a slim ribbed bodice that hugs, then a voluminous pleated skirt that swings. The knit does the fitting work, so the sizing is far more relaxed than the architectural look suggests.

I learned this the slightly embarrassing way. The first CFCL piece I ever ordered for a client was a POTTERY dress in a “1”, and when the parcel arrived I genuinely thought the studio had sent the wrong thing — it looked tiny folded in the box. On the body? It skimmed beautifully over a UK 10 with room to spare. That stretch is the whole point, and it’s why CFCL flatters such a wide range of shapes.

So what do the numbers actually mean?

Here’s the simplest way to translate it without drowning you in charts:

The scale climbs in roughly one-UK-dress-size steps. A size 1 sits around a typical small, a 2 around a medium, a 3 nudging into medium-large, and so on. Think of it like the old continental 1/2/3 system rather than UK numbers.
A “1” is not a UK size 1. This trips everyone up. It’s the brand’s own scale, so ignore the instinct that says “that’s far too small for me.”
Stretch covers a multitude. Most knitted pieces comfortably span two body sizes, so if you’re between numbers you usually have genuine choice rather than a hard decision.
Go by the garment measurements, not the model. CFCL models are often 5’8”–5’10” in a size 1, which can make pieces look longer and leaner than they’ll be on a shorter frame.

How to choose your size with confidence

Want it body-skimming? Take your usual number. The ribbed knits are designed to sit close without clinging unflatteringly.
Prefer a softer, more relaxed drape? Size up one. On the looser tops and the cardigans this reads as deliberately oversized rather than ill-fitting.
Petite (5’3” and under)? The midi and maxi POTTERY skirts can read as full-length on you, which is often gorgeous — but check the back length before committing.
Fuller bust or hips? This is where CFCL quietly shines. The stretch recovery means a fitted bodice expands where it needs to without gaping, so you rarely have to size up purely to accommodate one area.

One honest caveat from years of dressing people in it: the polyester knit is warm and has a definite weight to it. It’s not a floaty summer fabric, so if you run hot, factor that in rather than assuming “knit dress” means breezy.

Where to shop if you love the CFCL look

CFCL sits firmly in elevated, sculptural, sustainable territory, so if you’re building a wardrobe around that aesthetic — or want the vibe at a friendlier price — here’s where I’d send you.

High street

COS — the closest high-street match for CFCL’s architectural minimalism; their knit dresses and sculptural separates share the same clean-line DNA.
Uniqlo — Japanese, technical and brilliant on 3D-knit basics; their seamless knitwear is the smartest-value way to test the silhouette.
Massimo Dutti — refined, structured knits with that quiet-luxury finish and a grown-up colour palette.
Whistles — reliably good on modern, fuss-free knit dresses that work for the office and beyond.
Jigsaw — consistently strong yarn quality and considered cuts; an underrated knitwear destination.
Me&Em — clever, body-aware tailoring and knits designed to flatter a real range of shapes.
Mint Velvet — soft, relaxed-luxe knitwear with the easy drape CFCL fans gravitate towards.

Premium

Toteme — Scandi minimalism at its sharpest; the natural step up for someone who lives in pared-back, sculptural pieces.
By Malene Birger — artful, textural knitwear with a bit more drama, ideal if you want CFCL’s creativity in a softer palette.
Joseph — the gold standard for fine-gauge knit and clean tailoring that lasts.

Luxury / designer

Issey Miyake (Pleats Please) — the obvious lineage; the pleating-meets-technology approach is exactly where CFCL’s founder learned his craft.
The Row — the ultimate in understated, beautifully proportioned knitwear if budget is no object.

Two independents worth knowing

Lauren Manoogian — a New York-based independent making genuinely sculptural, hand-finished knitwear in natural fibres; very CFCL in spirit, quietly under the radar.
Paloma Wool — a Barcelona indie producing artful, slightly off-kilter knits and dresses for people who want something nobody else in the room is wearing.

The bottom line on CFCL sizing

Don’t let the unfamiliar numbers put you off. Take your usual size as a starting point, lean on the stretch, and check the garment length if you’re petite or very tall. CFCL is one of the more forgiving designer labels out there precisely because the knit does so much of the work — which is exactly why it’s become a quiet staple for clients who want impact without a fitting-room ordeal.

Never Guess Your Size Again

Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s leading sizing tool — your body matched exactly to 1,500+ brands instantly, so you never have to squint at a size guide again.

Measure once using your bust, waist, hip or your existing size in a brand you already own.
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size in any brand — COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket and more.
Always free, no downloads, works straight in your browser.

And there’s the Tellar Fashion Hub — a library stacked with free posts from our top stylists. Honest, unbiased, independent and always free: style advice, top picks and the best brands, all in one place.

Find your fit at tellar.co.uk →

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Ella Blake — Senior Fashion Stylist & Founder, Tellar