What Is Sizing Like at Halfpenny London?

Halfpenny London runs true to standard UK dress sizing. Every piece is made to order in a UK size from 6 to 22, then tailored to your exact measurements during your fittings — so rather than buying a fixed garment off the rail, you’re starting from your real UK size and having it shaped to you. That makes Halfpenny far kinder than the “bridal sizing” brides usually brace themselves for, where samples run a size or two small and leave you in a changing-room spiral. Here, the number is just a starting point, not a verdict.

So how does the sizing actually work?

Founded by celebrity stylist Kate Halfpenny, this is a British label handmade in London, known for romantic silhouettes, interchangeable separates and beautifully structured gowns. Because everything is made to order, the process is genuinely different from buying a dress in a shop:

You’re measured at a fitting and your gown is cut to a standard UK base size closest to your bust, waist and hip.
The seamstress team then tailors the garment to your body in the weeks before your wedding — alterations typically begin six to eight weeks out.
Sizing spans UK 6 to 22, and there’s a fully bespoke service if you want something built entirely around you.

The one thing I’d flag: there’s no single standardised chart that runs identically across every collection, and sample sizes in boutiques vary. So don’t take the number you tried on at a trunk show as gospel — your made-to-order size is calculated from your own measurements, not the sample.

Why the fabric matters more than the label

Halfpenny leans heavily on silk mikado, duchess satin and organza — gorgeous, weighty, sculptural fabrics that hold a shape brilliantly. The catch? They have almost no stretch. A jersey dress forgives a big lunch; structured satin absolutely does not. I once had a bride who’d nailed her measurements perfectly at her measure appointment, then changed her routine in the run-up and dropped half a size — the bodice gaped at the back in every photo from the front. Lovely problem to have, expensive problem to fix at the last minute.

My honest take from years of fittings: with rigid fabrics, the brand recommends keeping your measurements stable after that first fitting for a reason. Significant changes either way mean extra alterations and extra cost.

My styling advice for getting your size right

Lead with separates if you’re between sizes. Halfpenny’s interchangeable tops and skirts are a gift for anyone whose top and bottom halves don’t agree — you can take a corset top in one size and the skirt in another. No compromise.
Measure in your actual bridal underwear. A structured corset top sits completely differently over the right bra. I’ve seen half a size appear and disappear on lingerie alone.
Don’t size up “just in case.” With made-to-order, taking in is straightforward; building out a too-small structured bodice is far harder. Start from your true size.
Budget for the alterations from the start. Fittings sit on top of the dress price, so factor them in early rather than as a nasty surprise.

Where else to look for that Halfpenny feeling

Halfpenny is a serious investment, with complete looks starting around £4,000. If you love the structured-yet-romantic mood but want options at different price points — or you’re a wedding guest after that same elevated feel — here’s where I’d send you.

On the high street and premium high street:

Whistles — their occasion and bridal range nails clean, modern silhouettes with proper structure, and the sizing is reliably true to UK.
Reiss — sharp tailoring and beautifully cut occasion dresses; ideal if you want that sculptural Halfpenny line in a slimmer, contemporary fit.
Coast — the go-to for affordable bridal separates and structured occasion gowns, with a generous size range.
Phase Eight — genuinely strong on bridesmaid and bridal-adjacent dresses in flattering, forgiving cuts that suit curvier shapes.
Monsoon — underrated for embellished, romantic occasionwear at a gentle price, with a dedicated bridal line.
LK Bennett — polished, grown-up occasion dressing in luxe fabrics; the fit skews neat and ladylike.
Hobbs — classic, well-constructed occasionwear and a quietly lovely bridal edit; trustworthy sizing.
Anthropologie (and its BHLDN bridal line) — the closest high-street match for Halfpenny’s bohemian-romantic spirit.

Premium & designer:

Jenny Packham — British bridal royalty for embellished, glamorous gowns with that red-carpet drama.
Temperley London — intricate lacework and ethereal detailing for the romantic, fashion-forward bride.
Galvan London — the queen of the modern slip and bias-cut satin; perfect if you love Halfpenny’s slinky side.

Two independents worth knowing:

Kate Beaumont — a Sheffield-based, made-to-measure label producing characterful, vintage-inspired gowns and separates with real craftsmanship and ethical credentials.
Andrea Hawkes — a London atelier specialising in modern, beautifully tailored separates and clean architectural gowns, all made to order — very much in Halfpenny’s spirit at a slightly gentler price.

How to know your size before you walk in

Bridal appointments are precious, and walking in already knowing your true measurements changes everything. That’s exactly why I built Tellar.co.uk — the UK’s leading sizing tool. Measure once using your bust, waist and hip (or just an existing brand size you trust), and we instantly match your body to 1,500+ brands. No more squinting at size charts.

Use our Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size in any brand — COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket and hundreds more. It’s always free, works straight in your browser, and there’s nothing to download.

And beyond the tool, the Tellar Fashion Hub is a library stacked with free posts from our top stylists — honest, unbiased, independent and always free. Style advice, top picks and the best brands for every body and every budget.

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