What is Sizing Like at Farai London?

By Ella Blake — Fashion Stylist | Tellar Fashion Hub

Farai London is a British womenswear brand founded in 2014, specialising in form-fitting dresses, co-ords, and occasion wear available in sizes UK 6 to 22.

I'll be honest — Farai London was one of those brands I discovered at entirely the wrong moment. It was about two weeks before a friend's birthday dinner, I spotted one of their ruched midi dresses on Instagram, and before I'd even clocked the price I'd already ordered it in two sizes. That's the Farai effect. The brand has this magnetic pull, particularly if you love a silhouette that does the heavy lifting for you. But — and this is a proper but — getting the sizing right first time is genuinely worth thinking about before you click buy.

💡 Quick verdict: Farai London runs true to size in most styles, but their bodycon and ruched designs can feel snug across the hips and bust. If you're between sizes or have a curvier figure, sizing up is often the safer call.

What Kind of Brand is Farai London?

For the uninitiated, Farai London sits in that sweet spot between high street and contemporary designer. Founded by Farai Simoyi, the brand became known for celebrating curves — think figure-skimming silhouettes, plunging necklines, bold prints, and a colour palette that genuinely earns the word "vibrant". It's a go-to for weddings, birthday dinners, races, and any occasion where you want to look and feel like you've made an effort.

The brand has a strong inclusivity ethos, running a wider size range than many of its contemporaries, which is one of the reasons it's built such a loyal following. That said, the fit philosophy is undeniably close-to-the-body — this isn't a brand built around oversized or relaxed silhouettes.

How Does Farai London Sizing Generally Run?

The general consensus — and my own experience backs this up — is that Farai London runs true to size to slightly small, depending on the style and fabric. Here's what to expect:

Ruched and bandage-style dresses — these tend to be the most unforgiving. The stretch is generous but the construction is tight. Many shoppers, myself included, go up one size purely for comfort and ease of movement.
Wrap and midi styles — generally more forgiving around the waist and hips. Sizing to your usual UK size works well for most body types here.
Co-ordinate sets — sizing can vary between the top and bottom. If you're a different size on top versus bottom, you may need to buy the pieces separately, which Farai London does allow.
Structured occasions pieces — these have less stretch, so sizing up is wise if you sit between sizes or carry more weight on your hips and thighs.
Maxi and floor-length styles — generally easier to size. Your usual size tends to work, though taller women should check the length detail carefully.

Farai London Size Chart — What the Numbers Look Like

Farai London uses standard UK sizing. Their size guide maps roughly as follows:

UK 6: Bust 32", Waist 24", Hips 34"
UK 8: Bust 33", Waist 25", Hips 35"
UK 10: Bust 34", Waist 26.5", Hips 36.5"
UK 12: Bust 36", Waist 28", Hips 38"
UK 14: Bust 38", Waist 30", Hips 40"
UK 16: Bust 40", Waist 32", Hips 42"
UK 18: Bust 42", Waist 34.5", Hips 44.5"
UK 20: Bust 44", Waist 37", Hips 47"
UK 22: Bust 46", Waist 39", Hips 49"

Always cross-reference against your actual measurements before buying — especially for the ruched styles where even half an inch on the hip measurement can make a real difference to comfort.

My Honest Sizing Tips for Farai London

Measure yourself properly. I know it sounds obvious but I cannot tell you how many times I've guessed and regretted it. Measure bust, waist, and hips and compare against their current size guide (it does occasionally get updated).
Read the reviews. Farai's customers are brilliant about leaving detailed fit notes — pay attention to anything mentioning "runs small across the hips" on specific styles.
If in doubt, size up. The fabrics have good stretch so going one size up rarely means the garment looks baggy — it just means you can breathe and sit down at dinner without drama.
Check the fabric content. Styles with a higher elastane content will give more; styles with minimal stretch are far less forgiving.
Consider the occasion. For dancing, sitting, or a long event — size up. For a short photoshoot situation, true to size is probably fine.

Comparing Farai London to Similar Brands

If you're familiar with other occasion-wear brands, here's roughly where Farai London sits:

ASOS — Farai London tends to run slightly smaller than ASOS own-brand. If you're a UK 12 in ASOS, try a UK 12–14 in Farai.
Oh Polly — very comparable in terms of fit philosophy. Both brands lean bodycon and both tend to run slightly small in structured styles.
River Island — River Island sizing is slightly more generous. Your River Island size may work in Farai, but check the style first.
PrettyLittleThing — PLT cuts vary massively by style. Farai is generally more consistent in construction quality.
Missguided — historically ran small; Farai is broadly similar though the fabric quality at Farai is noticeably better.
Boohoo — Boohoo tends to be slightly more generous. You may find you're a size smaller in Boohoo than in Farai.
New Look — New Look fits broader across the hips. Farai assumes a more hourglass proportioned figure in its cut.

Shopping Similar Styles Across Price Points

If Farai London is sold out in your size, or you want to explore similar aesthetics at different price points, here are some alternatives worth considering:

HIGH STREET

ASOS — a brilliant alternative for occasion-ready bodycon and ruched midi dresses, with a huge size range.
River Island — particularly strong for bold prints and figure-hugging silhouettes at accessible prices.
PrettyLittleThing — worth checking for budget-friendly occasion dresses in similar silhouettes.
Boohoo — good for occasion wear basics; quality varies but there are gems if you search.
New Look — underrated for a night-out dress; their curve range is particularly well cut.
Missguided — bold, body-con styles that sit in the same aesthetic universe as Farai London.
Nasty Gal (via ASOS) — punchy prints and occasion-ready dresses; runs small so size up.

PREMIUM

Lavish Alice — elevated occasion wear with a similar love of ruching, wrap styles, and bold colour. Better fabric quality than high street alternatives.
Chi Chi London — beautifully made occasion dresses with a focus on flattering cuts. A step up in construction from Farai while staying at a reasonable price point.

LUXURY

Roland Mouret — the ultimate upgrade if you love a sculptural, body-conscious dress. Impeccable construction and a fit that feels like it was made for you.

Is Farai London Worth It?

Genuinely, yes — but only if you go in with the right expectations. This is not a "order it Thursday, wear it Saturday, hope for the best" brand. The silhouettes reward a bit of forward planning: measure yourself, read the style-specific reviews, and give yourself time to exchange if needed. When you get the sizing right, Farai London delivers that rare thing — an outfit you feel genuinely brilliant in. The cut, the colour, the way the fabric sits — it all comes together in a way that higher-priced brands don't always manage to pull off.

The fact that they've extended into a UK 22 range without compromising on the signature silhouette says a lot about how seriously they take their customer. For an occasion-wear brand in this price bracket, that inclusivity matters.

Find Your Perfect Size at Farai London

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