What Is Sizing Like at Damson Madder?

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

Damson Madder uses standard UK sizing, but runs deliberately and noticeably oversized across most of its range — which means your usual size will often feel much bigger than expected, and in the case of jeans, significantly smaller. It's a brand I adore, but one that requires a little insider knowledge before you hit "add to basket."

I still remember the first Damson Madder piece I ordered — a gorgeous printed midi dress during the height of lockdown. When it arrived, I genuinely thought there'd been a dispatch error. It was enormous. I very nearly packaged it back up before a friend talked me into keeping it. She was right — once I understood the brand's intention, I fell completely in love with the aesthetic. But it's fair to say: Damson Madder sizing is its own language, and I'm here to translate it for you.

The Brand in Brief

Founded in 2020 by Emma Hill, Damson Madder is a London-based label that's become a genuine cult favourite — and rightly so. Think vintage-inspired prints, puff sleeves, playful co-ords, butter-soft fabrics, and a commitment to sustainability that genuinely runs through the business. It's the kind of brand that attracts a loyal following precisely because it feels considered, creative, and a little bit different from the high street.

The aesthetic sits somewhere between a vintage market find and a beautifully curated wardrobe. It's romantic without being fussy, and that relaxed, lived-in sensibility is very much baked into the way the clothes are cut. This is key to understanding how they fit.

General Sizing: What You Need to Know

Damson Madder sizes run from XS through to XL (approximately UK 8–18), and they use standard UK sizing as their base. The crucial thing to understand is that intentional oversizing is central to their design DNA. This isn't a factory error — it's a creative choice. The silhouettes are relaxed, the shapes are generous, and the brand leans into that deliberately.

For most garments, my advice is:

If you love the oversized, slouchy look the brand is known for — stick to your regular size.
If you prefer something that feels more fitted or tailored — size down.
If you're between sizes, go smaller rather than larger.
If you're petite (under 5'4"), sizing down in most categories will give you a much more proportionate result.

Garment-by-Garment Breakdown

Dresses: This is where Damson Madder is most reliable. I'd say stick to your true UK size for dresses in most cases. The cuts are generous through the waist and hips but can be fitted across the bust, so if you're fuller on top, consider sizing up one. Their midi and maxi dresses in particular drape beautifully at your regular size — I've had zero complaints from clients on these.

Tops & T-Shirts: Their boyfriend tees are seriously roomy — we're talking properly boxy, wide-shouldered, drop-hem big. You can absolutely size down here if your usual size isn't available or if you want something that still looks relaxed but doesn't swamp you. Baby tees are the exception — these run true to size or even slightly small, so don't size down on those.

Jeans: Right, this is the curveball. DM jeans run really, really small. I've had clients return multiple pairs before finding their fit, and it's consistently the same story. You may technically be able to fasten your normal size, but you will not want to sit down in them. The waistbands are firm and the denim is designed to mould to your body over time — very authentic, very vintage. But go up at least one size, possibly two if you're curvier through the hips and thighs. Don't skip this advice.

Jackets & Coats: Oversized is the name of the game here too. Their padded jackets, reversible styles, and outerwear pieces all lean large. I'd say get your usual size if you love that voluminous, statement look. But if you're petite or simply don't want to be swallowed whole, go a size down.

Dungarees & Boilersuits: These are intentionally very roomy, with adjustable straps and wide legs. Stick to your regular size — the adjustability gives you more flexibility. If you're very petite or narrow through the shoulders, sizing down will give a slightly more structured result.

Trousers & Shorts: Generally high-waisted and cut loose through the leg. The waistbands can vary in firmness by style, so check individual product descriptions. As a rule, your regular size works well here — just be aware the leg cut is intentionally wide.

High Street Alternatives Worth Knowing

Love the Damson Madder aesthetic but want to shop around? These brands nail a similar vibe and are worth having in your rotation:

Anthropologie — Romantic, print-led pieces with a similar vintage-inspired energy. Their dresses in particular are gorgeous and tend to be more consistent in sizing than DM.
Monsoon — Beautiful prints, feminine silhouettes, and they're reasonably true to size with a bit of room for curves. A great accessible alternative.
White Stuff — Relaxed, sustainably-minded and authentically British. Lovely for easy-wearing printed tops and casual dresses.
Oliver Bonas — Playful prints, accessible price point, and more consistent sizing. A brilliant middle ground.
Urban Outfitters — If you love the vintage, retro aesthetic, UO does some genuinely great pieces with a similar relaxed, oversized energy.
Fat Face — For the more relaxed, countryside-inspired end of the Damson Madder look, Fat Face delivers really wearable everyday pieces.
Phase Eight — Beautiful printed dresses and feminine cuts that are considerably more consistent in sizing. Perfect when you want the polish without the guesswork.
Boden — Another brilliant print-forward British brand with strong quality and generally reliable sizing. Particularly good for dresses and tops.

Independent & Niche Picks

Two smaller brands I always recommend to clients who love the Damson Madder world:

Rixo — A gorgeous British label specialising in vintage-inspired prints and feminine silhouettes. Their size guides are considerably clearer than DM's, and the quality is exceptional. If you love DM dresses but want less sizing uncertainty, Rixo is your answer.
Kitri — A London-based independent with playful, feminine pieces that feel considered and original. Proper small-brand energy with a clear aesthetic and much more reliable sizing.

Premium & Luxury Alternatives

If you want to invest a little more in that romantic, print-led aesthetic:

Sézane (premium) — The French label that DM fans consistently love as an alternative. Beautiful fabrics, vintage charm, and better sizing consistency. Worth every penny.
& Other Stories (premium) — Understated, considered, and very well-made. A slightly more minimal take on the feminine silhouette but with excellent quality.
Ganni (luxury) — The Scandi label that shares DM's playful, print-forward energy but with elevated materials and more precise sizing. An absolute treat if the budget stretches.
Zimmermann (luxury) — If you want the ultimate in romantic, vintage-inspired dressing, Zimmermann is it. Exquisite quality and craftsmanship, though be aware their sizing runs small — a different kind of sizing challenge altogether.

Never Guess Your Damson Madder Size Again

Damson Madder's sizing quirks are exactly why Tellar.co.uk exists. It's the UK's leading free clothing sizing tool — your measurements matched instantly to 1,500+ brands, so you always know your exact size before you order.

Measure once — bust, waist, hip, or use an existing brand size.
Use the Store Size Lookup tool for your precise size in Damson Madder, COS, Reiss, Arket & over 1,500 more brands.
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Plus, explore the Tellar Fashion Hub — a free library of honest, unbiased style advice from our team of stylists. No sponsored fluff, ever.

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