What Is Sizing Like at Indulgence?

Indulgence runs largely true to size, but the catch is that it sells in grouped bands — S/M and M/L rather than single sizes — so each size you order actually spans two standard dress sizes. That means a piece fits generously if you sit at the lower end of a band and pulls snug if you're at the top of it. Once you understand that one quirk, the whole brand becomes much easier to shop, and you stop second-guessing every order.

I've styled enough boutique occasionwear over the years to know that Indulgence is a brand people either swear by or get burned by once — and the difference is almost always down to that banded sizing. So let me talk you through how it actually fits on the body, who it suits, and where to look if it isn't quite playing ball.

How Indulgence Sizing Actually Fits

Indulgence is a London-rooted boutique label known for going-out dresses, floaty florals, sequinned occasion numbers, bodycon midis and kimono-style tops. It's affordable, print-led and built for events rather than everyday basics — and the fit reflects that.

The banded sizing is the headline. Most pieces come as S/M or M/L. If you're a true UK 8–10, the S/M will feel relaxed and forgiving. If you're a 12, that same S/M will sit closer to the body — fine for a draped style, tight for anything structured.
Jersey and bodycon styles are stretch-friendly. The pull-on midi dresses and ruched bodycons have real give, so they flatter a wider range than the label on the tag suggests. These are the safest bet if you're between sizes.
Woven and embellished pieces are less forgiving. Anything with a sequin panel, a fixed waist or a non-stretch weave will hold you to the band, so size up if you're at the top of one.
Length runs short-to-mid. "Midi" on Indulgence often lands closer to a long-knee on anyone 5'7" and over. If you're tall, check the model height before you commit.
Necklines run low. Plenty of scoop and wrap fronts — gorgeous, but worth knowing before a work or wedding-guest occasion.

My honest win and fail

The fail first, because it's the more useful one: I once ordered an Indulgence S/M wrap dress for a client fitting, assuming "S/M" meant a roomy medium. It arrived cut for the lower half of that band and she couldn't get the wrap to sit flat — a classic banded-sizing trap. The win? On a different shoot I sized up to M/L in a ruched jersey midi for a size-12 model, and it skimmed beautifully, gave us movement on camera, and photographed like something twice the price. Same brand, two completely different outcomes — purely down to reading the band correctly.

My Styling Verdict

Indulgence is best treated as occasion-and-events wear, not a wardrobe backbone. Lean into the stretchy, draped, jersey styles where the banded sizing works for you, and be cautious with anything stiff or embellished. When in doubt, size to the top of your band — a touch of ease always photographs and wears better than a strained seam.

Where to Shop if Indulgence Isn't Quite Right

If the banded sizing isn't for you, or you want occasionwear with a more predictable fit, here's where I'd send clients — picked specifically for event dresses, going-out pieces and reliable sizing.

High Street

Coast — the high street's occasionwear specialist; structured event dresses with consistent, true-to-size cuts that I trust for weddings and parties.
Phase Eight — brilliant for occasion and mother-of-the-bride dressing, with grown-up tailoring and dependable fit across a real size range.
Monsoon — the go-to for embellished and floral occasion pieces if you love what Indulgence does but want a softer, more forgiving cut.
Oliver Bonas — quirky, print-led midi dresses with personality; sizing is steady and the prints rival anything in the boutique world.
Whistles — modern, beautifully cut occasionwear for anyone who wants clean lines over sequins; true to size with a slightly slim leaning.
Hobbs — classic, polished event dressing that fits exactly as you'd expect, ideal if you've been burned by banded sizing before.
Ted Baker — bold prints and statement occasion dresses; runs a little snug, so size up, but the impact is worth it.
Nobody's Child — sustainable florals and occasion midis at a friendly price, with single-size cuts that take the guesswork out.

Premium

Reiss — elevated event dressing with sharp tailoring and a consistent, slightly fitted cut; the step up when you want occasionwear to last.
Mint Velvet — relaxed, contemporary pieces with a softer fit and lovely fabrics, perfect if you find boutique labels too body-conscious.

Luxury & Designer

Max Mara — investment-grade tailoring and occasion pieces with impeccable, true-to-size construction that holds its shape for years.
Toteme — pared-back Scandinavian luxury for anyone who wants quiet, beautifully-cut elegance over sparkle; runs clean and generous.

Two Independents Worth Knowing

Dancing Leopard — a genuinely fun independent British label doing bold prints, kimono tops and floaty dresses in the exact Indulgence wheelhouse, but with a cult following and a slightly cooler edge.
Olivia Rubin — the independent designer to know for joyful sequins and rainbow-stripe occasionwear; a true left-field pick when you want something nobody else at the party will be wearing.

Never Guess Your Indulgence Size Again

Banded sizing is exactly the sort of thing Tellar was built to solve. Tellar is the UK's leading sizing tool — your body measurements matched precisely to 1,500+ brands instantly, so you never squint at a size guide again.

Measure once using your bust, waist, hip — or just your existing size in a brand you already own.
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