What Is Sizing Like at Double Second? A Stylist's Honest Guide

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

Double Second generally runs true to size against standard UK sizing, which is a genuine relief when you're ordering online for a wedding or big occasion and have absolutely no desire to be wrestling with returns in the week before the event. This small, independent London brand — born in Shoreditch and built around the kind of occasion dressing that actually makes you feel good — takes fit seriously, and it shows in the way their pieces are constructed. That said, there are a few nuances worth knowing before you click buy, and I'll walk you through all of them here.

Who Is Double Second?

If you haven't come across Double Second yet, it's one of those lovely independent London labels that hasn't quite hit the mainstream radar but absolutely deserves to. Founded in Shoreditch and now based in Greenwich, the brand specialises in occasion wear — think wrap dresses in lace and chiffon, floral midi dresses with frill hems, elegant jumpsuits, and the kind of pieces that work equally well for a summer wedding, a race day, or a long-overdue dinner out when you want to feel properly dressed up. Prices sit mostly between £42 and £86, which for the quality on offer is genuinely good value. They're also ethically produced using audited factories, which for an independent label is commendable.

I first stumbled across them when I was looking for wedding guest options that weren't the same Phase Eight midi everyone else would be wearing, and I've been quietly recommending them since. The lace wrap dress range in particular is exceptional for the price.

The Sizing: True to Size, but Check Your Measurements

Double Second uses standard UK sizing from 8 to 16, and the measurements align well with what most UK women would expect. There's no dramatic vanity sizing at play here, which is refreshing — what they say is a 12 actually measures like a 12. Here's their official size guide so you can cross-reference your measurements before ordering:

UK SizeBust (cm)Waist (cm)Hips (cm)Bust (in)Waist (in)Hips (in)883639132.5"25"36"1088689534.5"26"37.5"12937310136.5"29"40"14987810638.5"31"42"161058511341"33.5"44.5"

The measurements are honest and accurate, which I appreciate enormously. There's nothing worse than a size guide that bears no relation to what you actually receive.

Wrap Dresses: The Best Thing About Shopping Double Second

Here's where Double Second really comes into its own from a sizing perspective. The majority of their bestselling pieces are wrap dresses — and wraps are genuinely one of the most forgiving silhouettes you can buy for precisely that reason. The self-tie construction means there's a degree of natural adjustability built in, which makes getting the perfect fit across different body shapes much more achievable than with, say, a fitted bodycon or a structured blazer dress.

If you're between sizes — say, a 12 on the bust but a 14 on the hips — size up. The wrap will accommodate a larger bust easily (you simply adjust the tie), but you can't add fabric where there isn't any, and a wrap that pulls across the hips looks uncomfortable even if it technically does up. For anything with a wrap element, I always recommend sizing for your widest measurement and adjusting the rest.

Fitted and Structured Pieces: Stick to Your Measurements

For the more structured pieces — fitted jumpsuits, tailored trousers, bodycon dresses — the sizing is accurate but less forgiving than the wraps. Here, I'd recommend checking the measurement table above carefully before ordering rather than just going off your usual size label. In my experience, the waist measurement is particularly well-calibrated, so if you're a standard UK 12 on bust and hips but have a smaller waist, the wrap style will serve you much better than anything with a rigid waist band.

Jumpsuits: size for your hips and adjust the tie at the waist — don't be tempted to size down thinking you can cinch it in
Fitted dresses: measure your hips and cross-reference the table — this is where you're most likely to feel a squeeze if you order too small
Floral and frill-hem dresses: these tend to have more ease built in and are generally very true to size
Lace styles: lace has very little natural stretch, so be precise with your measurements — don't round down

Petite and Taller Frames: What to Know

Double Second does offer some petite options within their range, which is thoughtful for a small independent brand. Their standard dresses tend to fall as a midi on most average-height frames (roughly 5'4"–5'7"), which is a very wearable length for most occasions. If you're petite (under 5'3"), check the petite section specifically — standard lengths will likely swamp you and the proportions of the skirt will read differently than intended. If you're taller, the midi may hit more at the knee than the calf, which can still look lovely but is worth being aware of for occasion dressing where length matters.

My Stylist Tip: When to Size Up

Generally I'd say go true to size with Double Second, but there are a few circumstances where I'd nudge you a size up:

You're between sizes — always go up, not down, especially with lace or structured pieces
You're a fuller bust — the wrap necklines are adjustable but extra fabric gives you more to work with
You're buying for a high-stakes occasion (wedding, important event) and don't want the stress of a tight fit — size up and belt it or adjust the tie
You find lace or chiffon fabrics tend to cling on you — size up for comfort and drape

Similar Brands for the Double Second Aesthetic

Double Second occupies a brilliant middle ground — more interesting and special-feeling than the big department store occasion brands, but much more affordable than designer. If you're building out an occasion wardrobe around these kinds of pieces, here's where else I'd be shopping:

Phase Eight — the gold standard for UK occasion dressing. Midi dresses, lace detail pieces, and wedding guest outfits that consistently deliver. Sizing runs fairly true and the quality is reliable.
Coast — a proper go-to for special occasion dressing. Their lace and embellished dresses are excellent, and the cuts tend to be flattering across a range of body shapes.
Monsoon — brilliant for floral and printed occasion dresses, particularly for summer events. The brand has a real warmth to its aesthetic and their wrap styles are consistently good.
Ted Baker — a step up in price but consistently beautiful for occasion wear. Their wrap dresses in particular are something of a signature and fit brilliantly across different shapes.
Anthropologie — underrated for occasion dressing in the UK. The dress edit is genuinely stunning — lots of floral prints, interesting cuts, and fabrics you won't see elsewhere on the high street.
River Island — brilliant for party and evening dressing at accessible prices. The occasionwear edit has improved enormously in recent seasons and there are some genuinely striking lace and satin pieces.
Mango — consistently good for elevated occasion pieces with a European sensibility. Their midi dresses in satin and lace are well-cut and photograph beautifully.
Warehouse — often overlooked but genuinely strong for occasion dressing, particularly for those who want something a bit more directional and less safe than the usual suspects.

Two Independent Labels You Should Know

Shona Joy — an Australian label with a cult following for good reason. Their occasion dresses — draped, ruched, elegant — are extraordinarily well-cut and the sizing is honest and generous. If you want something that feels luxurious but isn't priced at designer level, Shona Joy is worth every penny.
Yolke — an independent London label specialising in exquisite printed silks and occasion-ready separates. The aesthetic is painterly and utterly distinctive. If you're bored of seeing the same dresses at every event, Yolke is the answer. Small drops sell fast, so bookmark them and set alerts.

Find Your Perfect Double Second Size Instantly — Try Tellar

Getting occasion wear right the first time matters — especially when you're buying for a wedding, a race day, or any event where there's no time for a return. Tellar is the UK's leading free sizing tool, matching your exact measurements to 1,500+ brands instantly. No guesswork, no stress, no returns.

Measure once — bust, waist, hip, or your existing brand size
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size across brands — from Double Second to Phase Eight, Ted Baker to Coast and beyond
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And if you love honest fashion advice, the Tellar Fashion Hub is packed with free, unsponsored posts from our in-house stylists — covering everything from the best wedding guest dresses to how to dress for your body shape. No ads. No paid-for picks. Just real advice.

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