What Is Sizing Like at Holland & Cooper?

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

Holland & Cooper runs true to size overall, but cuts slim and structured — if you're sitting between sizes, the answer is always size up, not down. That's the single most important thing I can tell you before you spend anything here. This is precision British tailoring, not a forgiving high-street fit. Get it right and you'll look impeccable. Get it wrong and you'll spend the entire event pulling at your blazer.

Ask me how I know. The first time I ordered from Holland & Cooper — their Knightsbridge blazer in a deep bottle green, absolutely beautiful — I went in my usual size. It arrived looking like a dream on the hanger. Then I actually put it on. Tight across the back, pulling at the shoulders, no chance of doing up the buttons comfortably. Back it went. I sized up, it came back, and that blazer has since been on rotation for years. Consider my mistake your shortcut.

Understanding H&C's Fit System

Holland & Cooper uses a tiered fit system across the range — slim fit, regular fit, relaxed fit and loose fit — and it genuinely changes how a piece feels on the body. Before you order anything, check which category a style sits in. Here's what each means in practice:

Slim fit: Designed to sit close to the body. True to size on paper, but fitted at the chest, waist and sleeves. If you prefer any ease, or have a broader frame, size up.
Regular fit: True to size with a little more room at the waist than slim. Still tailored and flattering — not a relaxed cut by any stretch — just slightly less close-fitting.
Relaxed fit: More fabric through the body without being baggy. Common in knitwear and leisure pieces. Genuinely true to size with no dramas.
Loose fit: Found in base layers and some casuals. Comfortable and true to size. The most forgiving fit in the range.

Sizing by Category — What to Expect

Coats and outerwear: The brand's crowning glory — and where sizing trips most people up. Structured shoulders, contoured waist, very sleek silhouette. If you're broader across the shoulders, fuller-busted, or planning to layer a chunky knit underneath, size up. For a light layer, your usual size is generally fine. It's the combination of wider frame plus thick knitwear that needs the extra room.
Blazers and tailored separates: The signature pieces — Knightsbridge blazer, matching skirts, wool suits. Cut precisely. If you're between sizes, go up without hesitation. Fuller busts in particular may find button-front styles pull and gape in the usual size. One size up and it'll sit properly.
Jeans and trousers: True to size for most. Lighter wash denim has more stretch than darker or coated styles — coated jeans and raw denim can feel quite firm at first, but they do ease with wear. Important note: the High Waisted Flare Jeans and Amoria styles are cut specifically to be worn with a 3–4 inch heel. If you're wearing them with flats, order a leg length down.
Knitwear: The most straightforward category in the range. Relaxed, beautifully made, and true to size. No sizing strategy needed — just enjoy them.
Dresses and skirts: True to size but structured. If there's a button-front, tailored bodice, or you're fuller across the chest, size up for comfort. The 360 skirt in particular has a reputation for coming up small — worth checking customer reviews per style before ordering.
Tops and shirts: Slim-fit styles can feel tight across the upper arm and shoulder even in your normal size. Broader shoulders? Go up one. Relaxed and loose-fit tops are entirely hassle-free.

Who Is Holland & Cooper Actually For?

When the fit lands correctly, this brand flatters almost everyone. The structured tailoring is particularly brilliant for anyone with a defined waist — the clothes do the work for you. It's slightly less natural for very curvy or fuller-busted women in the tailored pieces, but sizing up and letting the waist fall in its proper place can look absolutely knockout on an hourglass shape.

The aesthetic is unmistakably, gloriously British. Heritage tweeds, equestrian details, gold buttons, that countryside-meets-city polish that transitions from the boardroom to the racecourse without a single outfit change. If any part of that appeals, even a little, you'll love it here.

My Honest Styling Tips for H&C

Invest in the coordinating sets. Buy the blazer and the matching skirt or trousers together. You instantly have a smart suit and two separate pieces for the rest of the week. It's one of the cleverest things about the brand.
The coats are the hero pieces. If you're going to spend on one thing here, make it a coat. The quality is exceptional and the silhouette is genuinely timeless — I've seen women in three-year-old H&C coats and they look as fresh as anything new this season.
Don't sleep on the jeans. The Jodhpur and Contour styles in particular look far more versatile than their names suggest. Worn with loafers and a cashmere jumper, they're brilliant. And yes, the Contour jeans do live up to the hype.
Petite women — the brand's proportions lean towards average to tall heights. Coat and jacket lengths can run long, so always check the measurements on the product page rather than assuming.

Where Else to Shop — by Price Point

HIGH STREET

Phase Eight — The closest match to H&C on the high street. Smart occasion tailoring, brilliant coats, and a customer who loves exactly the same events. Sizing runs true to size with slightly more generosity than H&C.
Hobbs — Quintessentially British, impeccably reliable. Their tailored separates and occasion pieces are excellent quality and suit exactly the same wardrobe sensibility. True to size throughout.
Reiss — Sharper and more city-polished, but the cut and quality in tailoring genuinely rivals H&C at a lower price point. Runs slightly small — size up if you're in any doubt.
LK Bennett — The occasion dressing institution. Tailored dresses, beautifully cut coats, and perfect for the same events and environments as H&C. Runs true to size and is notably more accommodating for fuller figures.
Ted Baker — More overtly feminine but in the same premium British space. Great for occasions when you want a touch more personality alongside the structure. True to size.
Barbour — Shares the countryside DNA with H&C more than almost any other brand. If it's the heritage outerwear and waxed jacket end of H&C's world you love, Barbour is the natural companion. Their outerwear runs large — size down one.
Mint Velvet — Relaxed luxury for the same woman on her off-duty days. Not as structured as H&C but that same elevated, seasonless sensibility. Runs true to size with a slightly more generous cut — brilliant if H&C's precision fit feels a touch unforgiving on your frame.

PREMIUM

Me&Em — A genuinely outstanding premium option and one I recommend constantly. Beautiful fabrics, intelligently designed pieces, and considerably better sizing for curvier and fuller-busted figures than H&C. True to size. Many of my clients wear both brands and they work beautifully together.
Anthropologie — A completely different aesthetic — more bohemian and eclectic — but the same quality level and considered approach to dressing. Worth knowing if you love H&C's investment-piece philosophy but sometimes want something with a bit more individuality. Sizing varies across the brands stocked, so always check individual pieces.
Hush — Relaxed, thoughtful British dressing at a premium level. If you love H&C's quality but need something you can actually sink into on the sofa, Hush fills that gap perfectly. True to size throughout.

LUXURY & DESIGNER

Max Mara — If Holland & Cooper's tailored coats make your heart sing, Max Mara is the ultimate destination. Their camel and wool coats are genuinely iconic wardrobe investments. Sizing runs slightly large.
Claudie Pierlot — The Parisian answer to H&C's British tailoring. Impeccable structure, refined detail, and a more Continental sensibility. Perfect if you love the sharp blazers and coordinating sets but want a Paris edge. Runs small — always size up.

Two Independent Brands the H&C Woman Will Love

I always make a point of flagging brilliant smaller labels that deserve more attention — and for the Holland & Cooper customer, these two are particularly well matched:

Wyse London — A lovely British independent label specialising in relaxed, beautifully crafted knitwear and jersey pieces. The aesthetic is warm, grown-up and effortless — very much the same woman who loves H&C, just in her off-duty mode. Their striped marinière tops and cashmere jumpers are exceptional quality. True to size with a relaxed fit.
Somerset by Alice Temperley — The more accessible line from British designer Alice Temperley. Romantic, artisan, and occasionally very countryside-garden in the best possible way. The embroidered and printed pieces are stunning. Perfect for the H&C customer who has all the tailoring she needs and is now looking for something with a bit more soul. True to size.

The Short Version

Between sizes? Size up — every time.
Fuller bust or broader shoulders? Size up in all tailoring, coats and structured tops.
Layering a chunky knit under a coat? Size up. Light layer only? Your usual size is fine.
Coated or dark denim? Expect firmness at first — it eases with wear.
Flare jeans worn with flats? Order one leg length shorter.
Always check the fit category per product (slim / regular / relaxed / loose). It changes everything.

Get Your Exact Holland & Cooper Size Right — with Tellar. It's Free.

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