What Is Sizing Like at Gini London?

Gini London runs true to standard UK sizing (a 6 to a 16, labelled S to XXL), but it cuts on the slim, body-conscious side – so if you’re between sizes or have a fuller bust, broader shoulders or curvier hips, you’ll usually want to size up. There, I’ve answered it before you’ve even sat down with your tea. But because Gini is an independent brand that lives and dies by its dresses, the honest answer is a little more layered than a single number, and I’ve learned the hard way exactly where it pinches.

So, Does Gini London Come Up Small?

Not exactly small – snug. The labelling is genuinely UK standard, so your usual high-street number is the right starting point. But Gini’s whole signature is that close, feminine, “made for you” line, and that means very little ease built into the pattern. The first Gini dress I ever ordered was a ruched satin midi in my normal 12. It zipped – just – but I spent the whole evening holding my breath through the bust. The lesson stuck.

Here’s how I’d approach it by category:

Dresses (their hero product): Wrap and ruched jersey styles are forgiving and stretch with you – stick to your usual size. Zip-back, corset and structured satin styles have almost no give; size up if you’re a fuller bust or short-waisted.
Tailoring & blazers: Sharp, darted and deliberately fitted. Lovely if you’re straight up and down; size up if you have broad shoulders or just prefer to move your arms freely.
Tops & blouses: Cut for a slim fit, often with a bit of stretch. Generally true to size unless there’s a fixed cuff or a fitted waist.
Occasion & going-out pieces: Designed to skim and cling. Buy for the part of you that’s widest, not your “average” size – the rest can always be nipped in.

The Quality Question

This is where Gini quietly punches above its weight. The fabrics – satins, linen mixes, proper draped jerseys – feel a tier above the disposable end of the high street, and the prints are genuinely current rather than fast-fashion filler. It’s online-only, returns go back via Royal Mail, and the general consensus from shoppers is “better than expected.” My one gripe: because the cut is so close, there’s no fudging it. You either bought the right size or you’re posting it back. Which is precisely why getting the size right first time matters so much here.

My Stylist’s Trick for Nailing the Fit

Measure your bust, waist and hips once and write them down. Then, before you buy anything fitted from Gini, compare your bust measurement to their guide and size to that number, not your habitual one. Nine times out of ten with this brand, the bust is the deciding factor. For a structured satin or anything with a back zip, I always go up one. You can take a waist in with a half-hour tailoring tweak; you cannot magic extra room across the chest.

If Gini Isn’t Quite Right – Where Else to Shop

Gini occupies that lovely “occasion-led but affordable” lane. If the fit or the wait for delivery doesn’t suit you, here’s where I’d send clients for the same feminine, event-ready energy.

High Street

Coast – The high street’s occasionwear specialist; structured, flattering event dresses with proper internal support.
Phase Eight – Brilliant for fit-and-flare and wrap dresses that genuinely work on curves; very true to size.
Monsoon – Romantic prints and embellished pieces, with a slightly more generous, forgiving cut than Gini.
Oasis – Trend-led going-out dresses at a similar price point, often with more stretch in the body.
Warehouse – Modern, print-heavy occasion dresses; great if you like Gini’s aesthetic but want to try before you buy in store.
Whistles – Cleaner, more minimal draping for the woman who finds Gini a touch too body-con.
Mint Velvet – Relaxed, elevated dressing with a softer, roomier fit through the waist and hips.

Premium

Reiss – Sharper, grown-up tailoring and slip dresses; the natural step up if you love Gini’s precise lines but want better fabric.
Ted Baker – Feminine, detail-rich occasion pieces – just note their numeric “0–5” system runs small, so always check the guide.

Luxury / Designer

Self-Portrait – The benchmark for occasion dressing; lace, structure and a fit that’s engineered to flatter.
RIXO – Hand-painted prints and floaty, true-to-size silhouettes for when you want romance without the cling.

Two Independents Worth Knowing

Sister Jane – A London independent doing whimsical, vintage-inspired occasionwear; cut on the petite side, so size up.
Omnes – A quietly brilliant sustainable label with beautifully draped midi dresses and an honest, true-to-size fit.

Stop Guessing Your Size – Let Tellar Do It

Here’s the thing: with a slim-fit brand like Gini, one wrong guess means a return, a refund wait and a ruined event plan. Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s leading sizing tool – we match your body exactly to 1,500-plus brands instantly, so you never squint at a size guide again.

Measure once, using your bust, waist and hip – or just your existing size in a brand you already own.
Use our Store Size Lookup to get your precise size in any brand – COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket and more.
Always free, no downloads, works straight in your browser.

And once you’ve sorted your size, dive into the Tellar Fashion Hub – a library stacked with free posts from our top stylists. Honest, unbiased, independent and always free. Style advice, top picks and the best brands, with nothing sponsored and nobody paying for a good word.

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