What Is Sizing Like at Frame? Your Complete Fit Guide

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

Frame runs largely true to size — but with one important caveat: the brand uses US numeric waist sizing for most of its denim, and certain styles (particularly skinny cuts and darker washes) can fit noticeably snugger than you'd expect. If you're new to the brand, it genuinely pays to know your waist measurement in inches before you shop.

I'll be honest — the first time I ordered Frame, I was completely thrown. I picked up a pair of Le High Straight jeans in my usual UK 10, and they arrived as a US 26... which technically is a UK 10, but sat so differently on my body compared to my M&S or Reiss trousers that I spent a good ten minutes convinced they'd sent me the wrong size. The denim quality, though? Absolutely worth the learning curve. There's a reason these jeans have such a cult following.

How Frame Sizes Their Clothes

Frame is a Los Angeles-born brand, so pretty much everything works on American sizing conventions. Here's what that means in practice:

• Denim (jeans, skirts, shorts): Sized in US waist inches — 23 through to 34. Not XS/S/M/L, not UK 6/8/10/12. Actual inch measurements.

• Ready-to-wear (tops, dresses, blazers): Sized in US numeric dress sizes — 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 — which translate to UK 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14.

• Some hybrid styles (e.g. the Jetset range): Come in XS–M pull-on sizing — these are the most forgiving and easiest to buy online without overthinking.

Frame Size Conversion Table

For the denim — which is most of what people are buying — here's how the US sizing converts to UK dress sizes:

Frame US SizeUK Dress SizeApprox. Waist23UK 458 cm / 23"24UK 661 cm / 24"25UK 863 cm / 25"26UK 1066 cm / 26"27UK 10–1269 cm / 27"28UK 1271 cm / 28"29UK 1474 cm / 29"30UK 14–1676 cm / 30"31UK 1679 cm / 31"32UK 1881 cm / 32"

Tip: Always measure your actual waist (in inches) before ordering Frame. Don't guess based on your usual dress size — there's enough variation between styles to make that a risky strategy.

Does Frame Run True to Size?

Mostly yes, but there are some style-specific quirks worth knowing:

• Le High Straight & Le Palazzo: Generally true to size — these relaxed, wide-leg styles are the most straightforward to buy.

• Le Skinny & Le Original: Can feel slightly generous — some customers prefer to size down one. The stretch fabric means they do give with wear, so if in doubt, go true to size.

• Le Crop Mini Boot: Tends to run a touch small — if you're between sizes, go up.

• Dark washes & black denim: Consistently reported to fit snugger than lighter washes in the same style. The dyeing process tightens the fibres slightly. A size up isn't a bad idea here.

• Stretch denim (Le One range): Very forgiving — these feel almost jegging-like and adapt to your body over the course of a day's wear.

Fit by Garment Type

Frame has gradually expanded well beyond its denim roots, so here's the quick breakdown across the full range:

• Jeans: Measure your waist in inches and go with that number. If you're between sizes, think about the style — skinny or fitted cut? Size up. Relaxed or wide leg? Go true to size.

• Silk shirts & blouses: These come in US numeric sizing and tend to be cut slim. If you have a broader shoulder or fuller bust, consider going up one. The silk fabrics are unforgiving on the shoulders — once it pulls there, there's no recovering it.

• Blazers & jackets: True to size in general. Frame cuts quite tailored through the body, so if you prefer a more relaxed jacket fit, size up.

• Dresses & jumpsuits: I'd always recommend checking the specific product measurements on these. Frame dresses can vary quite a bit in terms of how fitted through the waist and hip they are. The gathered styles tend to be more forgiving; the shift silhouettes less so.

• Knitwear: Tends to run slightly small — Frame knits are often cropped and close-fitting. Sizing up will give you a more relaxed, Parisian-off-duty vibe (which is no bad thing).

My Honest Frame Verdict

Frame is one of those brands that rewards the effort of getting your sizing right. Once you know your number, you can shop it with confidence — and the quality of the denim really does justify the price. These are jeans that will be in your wardrobe in ten years' time. The LA-meets-Paris aesthetic is genuinely timeless, and the cuts are flattering across a range of body types if you're in the right size.

The one frustration? The sizing system puts off a lot of British shoppers who aren't used to inch-based denim sizing. Don't let it. Grab a tape measure, find your waist measurement in inches, and use that as your starting point. Job done.

High Street Alternatives to Frame

Frame sits at the premium end of the market — jeans typically start around £200. If you love the elevated, effortless aesthetic but want more wallet-friendly options, these brands deliver a similar vibe:

• COS — Minimal, quality-led denim with a very similar Scandi-cool aesthetic. Their straight-leg and wide-leg styles are consistently excellent and size generously.

• Whistles — Brilliant for elevated basics. Their high-rise straight jeans sit beautifully and the quality-to-price ratio is hard to beat.

• Mango — Nails the French-girl denim look at a fraction of the price. Their wide-leg and flared styles in particular are strong season after season.

• Me+Em — A seriously underrated British brand for premium-feeling denim. The fit is impeccable and they size consistently.

• Reiss — For sleek straight-leg and tailored denim that works as hard at the office as it does at the weekend. Great sizing consistency.

• Massimo Dutti — Beautifully made European denim and trousers that match Frame's elevated-casual feel. Sizing is generally true to size in UK/EU sizing.

• AllSaints — For that slightly edgier, LA-influenced denim look. Their skinny and slim-cut styles are particularly good and the quality is solid.

• Anthropologie — A genuine cult favourite for wide-leg and flared denim with bohemian detailing. Their collaborations with premium denim brands make it worth bookmarking.

Two Independent Brands Worth Knowing

• Nudie Jeans — A Swedish brand that takes denim as seriously as Frame does. They size in waist/length (like Frame's numeric system), the quality is exceptional, and their repair programme means your jeans last indefinitely. A brilliant premium alternative with serious denim credibility.

• Wakee Denim — An independent British brand making considered, quality denim with a sustainable ethos. Sizes in UK sizing which takes all the guesswork out, and their wide-leg styles in particular are quietly brilliant.

Premium & Luxury Alternatives

• AG Jeans — Frame's closest premium rival. Very similar California heritage, excellent stretch denim, and US numeric sizing. If you know your Frame size, you'll be in the same ballpark at AG.

• Paige — Another LA premium denim brand with a strong UK following. Known for incredibly flattering cuts and a slightly more stretch-forward feel than Frame.

• Citizens of Humanity — Elevated, sustainably made denim that sits in a very similar price bracket to Frame. Their wide-leg and barrel-leg silhouettes are particularly sought after right now.

• Totême — For the ultimate in restrained, Scandi-luxe denim. Not cheap, but the quality and cut are extraordinary. Sizes in EU/UK sizing which is a relief.

• Brunello Cucinelli — At the very top of the premium denim ladder. Impeccable craftsmanship, a slightly more relaxed fit than Frame, and the kind of quality that makes the price feel almost justified.

Never Get Your Size Wrong Again — Tellar.co.uk

Struggling with Frame's US numeric sizing — or any other brand that sizes differently to what you're used to? Tellar.co.uk is the UK's leading free sizing tool. It matches your exact measurements to over 1,500 brands instantly — no downloading, no subscriptions, no faff.

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Plus, the Tellar Fashion Hub is a library of free, honest, unsponsored style posts from our top stylists. No ads. No brand deals. Just genuinely useful fashion advice.

👉 tellar.co.uk — find your size in any brand, instantly.

More from the Tellar Fashion Hub:

The Ultimate Clothing Sizing GuideThe Best Jean Trends for 2025 & 2026The Ultimate Guide to Dresses — Styles, Body Shapes & Where to ShopThe Ultimate Guide to Jackets — Styles, Body Shape Matching & Best Buys