What Is Sizing Like at Falke?

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

Falke sizing is broadly true to size, but because the brand spans tights, socks, base layers and sportswear — each sized differently — knowing which sizing system applies to what you're buying is the difference between getting it right first time and ending up with tights that wrinkle at the ankle or socks that cut into your calf. It sounds more complicated than it is, so let me break it down properly.

A Bit About Falke First

Falke is a German family-owned brand that's been going since 1895 — over 125 years of making hosiery, socks, base layers and sportswear. They're quietly one of the most respected names in the premium legwear world, even if they don't shout about it the way some brands do. You'll find their tights stocked at John Lewis and Selfridges; their sport socks are beloved by runners and skiers alike. The quality is genuinely exceptional — fine-gauge knitting, reinforced stress zones, anatomical shaping — and the price reflects that. But because Falke covers so much product territory, sizing can feel confusing if you don't know where to look.

I first discovered Falke through their merino wool socks about eight years ago — my feet have been very happy ever since. The tights came next, and I'll admit I initially ordered the wrong size because I just went with what I wear in clothing. Don't do that. Let me save you the bother.

Sizing for Falke Tights & Hosiery

Falke tights are sized by a combination of your height and weight, not by your clothing size. This is how all quality hosiery works, and honestly it's a far more sensible system — it's just unfamiliar to most people. The tights range runs from S to XL, and here's how to find your fit:

Falke SizeEU Dress Size (approx.)Height (cm)Weight (kg)UK Dress Size (approx.)Small (S)36–38155–17050–65UK 8–10Small–Medium (S–M)38–40160–17558–72UK 10–12Medium (M)40–42165–18065–80UK 12–14Medium–Large (M–L)42–44170–18575–90UK 14–16Large (L)44–46175–19085–100UK 16–18X-Large (XL)48–50180+95–115UK 20–22

If your height and weight put you at the border between two sizes, always size up. Tights that are too small will pull down throughout the day, lose their shape and are far more likely to ladder. A slightly larger size will sit comfortably, hold its shape, and actually last longer. This is particularly important for Falke's compression and energising tights, where the right fit isn't just about comfort — it's what makes the product work as intended.

Stylist's tip: If you're taller than average for your weight (or carry your weight in your hips and thighs), lean towards the larger size. Falke tights tend to have a narrower leg than some other brands, so petite but curvy women often find a size up works better for them even if the weight suggests otherwise.

Sizing for Falke Socks

This one is refreshingly simple: Falke socks are sized by your EU shoe size, which most UK packaging will also show as a UK shoe size equivalent. The range typically covers:

EU 35–38 (UK shoe size 2.5–5) — XS/S
EU 39–41 (UK shoe size 5.5–7.5) — S/M
EU 42–44 (UK shoe size 8–10) — M/L

Falke socks generally run true to size, and the fit tends to be pleasingly snug rather than baggy — they don't slip, bunch, or dig in, which is exactly what you want. If you're between shoe sizes, go up rather than down, especially for sport and compression styles where a tighter sock can be uncomfortable over a long session.

Sizing for Falke Base Layers & Sportswear

Falke's base layers — thermals, merino vests, running tights, ski underlayers — use a standard S/M/L/XL sizing based on your clothing measurements. These are designed with a close, second-skin fit by design, because that's how base layers are supposed to work. They're not meant to be roomy. That said, if you find performance fabrics feel restrictive or you prefer a slightly more relaxed feel even in your base layer, sizing up one works fine.

Their sport-specific lines — running socks, hiking socks, ski socks — are sized by shoe size as above, but pay attention to the calf measurement guidance on styles like ski and compression socks. Getting the calf circumference right on a compression sock is non-negotiable; too tight and it's genuinely uncomfortable, too loose and it doesn't function properly.

Which Falke Products Are Worth the Investment?

Since you're spending premium money, here's my honest take on what's worth it and what to know:

The Falke Family Tights — Their everyday opaque tights. Sustainable cotton blend, reinforced toes and heels, incredibly comfortable waistband that doesn't roll down. Worth every penny and they genuinely last.
Pure Matt 20 or 50 DEN — The smarter, sheerer tights for office and occasion wear. Beautifully even in tone, resistant to laddering at the leg (though not immune — no tights are), and extremely flattering. A wardrobe staple.
Merino Wool Socks — Temperature-regulating, incredibly soft, last for years if you treat them right. My eight-year-old pair is still going strong. Worth the price tag ten times over.
Energising Tights — Their compression hosiery. Brilliant for long days on your feet or travel. These are the ones where getting your size absolutely right really matters — they're a graduated compression product, and an incorrect size will undermine the whole point of them.
Sport Socks (RU Running / TK Trekking range) — Anatomically shaped left and right socks, cushioned exactly where you need it. If you run or hike regularly, these are genuinely transformative.

Where to Find Falke Alternatives at Every Price Point

Whether you love the Falke aesthetic but want more budget-friendly options, or you're exploring the whole world of quality legwear, here's where I'd look:

High Street:

M&S — Genuinely the best high street option for tights, hosiery and socks. Their cashmere socks and 40 DEN opaque tights are exceptionally good value. Consistent sizing, widely available, and great quality for the price. My first port of call for everyday hosiery.
The White Company — Their socks and bed socks especially are a real treat — soft, well-made and beautifully packaged. Great for gifting. Sizing runs true. They also do a nice range of everyday opaque tights.
Boden — Underrated for socks. Fun prints, good quality cotton and wool blends, and true-to-size EU shoe sizing. Their knee-high socks are a particular highlight.
Fat Face — Brilliant for chunky, cosy socks — especially their wool-blend options in winter. True to size, hardwearing, and a great price point for the quality.
Sweaty Betty — The go-to high street option for sport base layers, thermal leggings and performance socks. Their sizing is straightforward S/M/L, and the quality of their merino and technical fabrics rivals much pricier brands. Runs true to size.
Lululemon — Premium positioning but high street accessibility for sport base layers and running socks. Their Run Crew socks in particular are beautifully engineered. True to size, and they offer a technical level of performance that sits close to Falke's sport range.
Seasalt Cornwall — Fantastic for organic cotton and wool-blend socks with gorgeous Cornish-inspired prints. Sturdy, comfortable and true to size. A lovely brand with great sustainability credentials.

Premium:

Wolford — The luxury hosiery house. Their tights are extraordinary — almost ladder-proof in their core ranges, with an incredibly smooth, flattering finish. Priced above Falke but genuinely a cut above for special occasions.
Icebreaker — New Zealand merino specialists. If Falke's merino base layers are your thing, Icebreaker sits in the same premium performance tier with brilliant quality and consistent sizing.

Two Independent Labels Worth Discovering:

Pantherella — A British heritage sock brand based in Leicester, making fine-gauge socks since 1937. They're the kind of brand that quietly supplies some of the world's best-dressed people, and their women's socks — cashmere, merino, silk blends — are genuinely beautiful. True to UK shoe size. An absolute hidden gem if you've never come across them.
Thought Clothing — An ethical, sustainable brand with a brilliant range of bamboo, organic cotton and wool-blend socks in gorgeous prints and colourways. Sustainably made, true to size, and considerably more affordable than Falke while still being a real step up from fast fashion hosiery. If sustainability matters to you (and it should), start here.

Get Your Exact Falke Size in Seconds — Free on Tellar

Falke's multi-system sizing — height and weight for tights, shoe size for socks, clothing size for base layers — can be genuinely confusing, especially when you're shopping across different product categories at once. That's exactly what Tellar.co.uk is built for.

Enter your measurements once — bust, waist, hip — or use your existing size in a brand you know fits well.
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The Tellar Fashion Hub is also packed with free, honest, unsponsored guides from our in-house stylists — covering sizing, brand comparisons, style advice and the best buys at every price point. No adverts. No sponsored posts. Just straight-talking, independent fashion advice.

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