What Is Sizing Like at Hanro? Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy

Hanro sizes generously — often quite noticeably larger than other brands — and if you buy without checking, there's a very real chance you'll end up swimming in something that should have been beautifully fitted. I learned this the slightly embarrassing way when a pair of knickers I ordered confidently in my usual size arrived looking like they'd been made for a considerably more substantial person. Lovely fabric. Wrong size. Here's the full picture so you don't make the same mistake.

Who Is Hanro?

Hanro is a Swiss luxury brand with a heritage stretching back to 1884, when founders Albert Handschin and Carl Ronus set up a knitwear factory in the Swiss city of Liestal. The name is essentially a portmanteau of those two family names — a charming origin story for a brand that has since become one of the most respected names in luxury underwear, sleepwear and loungewear in the world. Stocked by Selfridges, Net-a-Porter and boutique lingerie specialists, it sits at the premium end of the intimates market, and the quality absolutely justifies the price when you get the fit right.

The brand's signature is its fabric. Hanro uses long-staple Egyptian cotton that is mercerised for a silky, smooth finish — the kind of fabric that makes you want to stay in your pyjamas considerably longer than planned. If you've never worn Hanro, the closest analogy I can offer is putting on a T-shirt that feels like it's been made from the softest cloud in Switzerland. Which is, of course, exactly where it was.

Does Hanro Run True to Size?

No — and the direction of the problem is important. Unlike many European and Italian luxury brands that run small, Hanro cuts its pieces generously. Multiple retailers who stock the brand flag this openly. If you're between two sizes at Hanro, the advice is consistent: size down. Their M is frequently described as running larger than a standard UK 12–14 would suggest.

ELLA'S SIZING VERDICTAt Hanro, size down if you're between sizes — especially for underwear and fitted sleepwear. Their pieces are cut generously, and a size too large will look baggy and lose the elegant, close-to-the-skin drape that makes Hanro's fabric so special. The one exception is robes and loose loungewear, where sizing up or staying true gives you that gorgeous, enveloping feel.

Hanro's Size Chart: What the Numbers Mean in UK Terms

Hanro uses standard alpha sizing (XS through to XL) for most of their women's ranges, but the fit runs generous throughout. Here's a rough guide based on their official size charts, converted to UK sizing — though note that the fit can vary slightly between their underwear, daywear and sleepwear lines:

Hanro SizeUK Size EquivalentBust (inches)Waist (inches)XSUK 6–832–33"26–27"SUK 8–1034–35"28–29"MUK 10–1236–38"30–32"LUK 14–1640–42"34–36"XLUK 1844–46"38–40"

Notice how their L encompasses both UK 14 and 16 — that's a fairly wide span. If you're a standard UK 14, you may find that sizing down to M gives a cleaner, more flattering result, particularly in their underwear and close-fitting camisoles. Always measure yourself and cross-reference with their specific product charts before ordering, as the daywear and sleepwear ranges can differ slightly.

Which Hanro Pieces Are Worth Buying — And What to Watch For

Hanro's real strengths are their underwear, their nightgowns and their cotton pyjamas. The briefs and full briefs in their Cotton Seamless and Moments ranges are genuinely some of the most comfortable pieces I've worn — no elastic digging in, no synthetic chafing, and they last for years with proper care. The sleepwear is equally exceptional: their long-sleeved nightgowns and pyjama sets in mercerised cotton feel like an indulgence every single time.

Where Hanro can occasionally disappoint is when a generous cut meets a looser style. Their wider-cut lounge trousers and oversized sleep shirts are meant to be roomy, but if you've already sized up by mistake you'll end up looking shapeless rather than elegantly relaxed. The golden rule: for anything close-fitting or structured, size down. For robes, wide pyjama trousers or oversized bed jackets, trust the label or even size up for that deliberately enveloping feel.

Alternatives to Hanro at Every Price Point

Hanro sits firmly in the luxury bracket — you're typically looking at £40–£80 for underwear and £150+ for sleepwear sets. If that feels steep, or you'd like to explore before committing, here are the brands I'd genuinely recommend:

High street and accessible premium picks:

M&S — the obvious starting point for quality cotton underwear in the UK. Consistent sizing, excellent fabric choices and a range that runs XS to 5XL. The Body range in particular is genuinely impressive.
The White Company — probably the closest high street equivalent to Hanro for sleepwear. Their cotton pyjamas and nightgowns are beautifully made, excellent value and sized clearly. A perennial bestseller for a reason.
Hush — brilliant for loungewear and pyjama sets with a modern, relaxed feel. Good fabric quality, honest UK sizing and very wearable across a wide age range.
Boden — underrated for comfortable, well-cut everyday basics including nightwear. Clear UK sizing and their cotton quality has genuinely improved over the last few years.
Anthropologie — a lovely option for more decorative, tactile sleepwear and loungewear with an artistic sensibility. Sizing is generous here too, so worth double-checking.
Cos — for the more minimalist Hanro aesthetic: clean lines, understated palette, beautiful fabrics. Their cotton basics are excellent and sizing is consistent and reliable.
Phase Eight — a solid choice for elevated loungewear and dressing gowns if you want something a step up from the high street without the full luxury price tag.
Oliver Bonas — a surprisingly good shout for soft, printed pyjama sets and nightwear at a very accessible price point. The fabrics aren't Hanro-level, but for everyday wear they punch above their weight.

Two independent labels genuinely worth knowing:

Yolke — a London-based independent specialising in printed silk pyjamas and nightwear. Genuinely beautiful pieces with a strong design identity. Stocked at Liberty and their own site. Sizing runs true to size and is clearly labelled in UK sizes.
Desmond & Dempsey — another London independent with a loyal following for their printed cotton pyjamas in proper, heavyweight cotton. Worn by people who take their sleepwear seriously. Sizing is clear and consistent.

My Final Word on Hanro Sizing

If you take one thing from this post, let it be this: size down at Hanro, especially for underwear and fitted nightwear. Their fabric is extraordinary, their quality is genuinely hard to fault, and the pieces last for years if you care for them properly (cool machine wash, no tumble drying — treat the cotton kindly and it will repay you). But the sizing runs large, and a too-big Hanro piece loses exactly the quality that makes it worth spending the money on in the first place. Get the fit right and you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.

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This post has been written independently by Ella Blake for the Tellar Fashion Hub. It contains no sponsored content, no paid brand partnerships and no advertising. Some links may be affiliate links — this never influences our editorial recommendations. Tellar is the UK’s leading free sizing tool, always honest and always independent.