What Is Sizing Like at Kate Spade?

By Ella Blake – Fashion Stylist | Tellar Fashion Hub – Always Honest, Unbiased & Unsponsored

Kate Spade clothing runs true to size on the whole, but uses US sizing — which means UK shoppers need to size up by roughly two sizes as a starting point. It sounds straightforward, but in practice it trips people up constantly. I once ordered a Kate Spade shirtdress in what I thought was a safe conversion and stood looking at it for a good minute wondering why it was enormous on me. I'd gone the wrong way with the conversion. Don't be me. Read this first.

The Basics: US Sizing and What It Means for You

Kate Spade is an American brand, launched in New York in 1993, and their clothing is sized in US numerics. The general conversion rule is:

Kate Spade US SizeUK Size (Approx)EU Size (Approx)0432263448366103881240101442121644

So if you're a UK 12, you're looking at a US 8. A UK 10 equates to a US 6. It's logical once you're used to it, but ordering in a rush without double-checking is a classic mistake — and sizing errors with Kate Spade can be particularly frustrating given how long international returns sometimes take.

But Does Kate Spade Actually Fit True to Size?

Once you've cracked the US conversion, the good news is that Kate Spade's clothing is generally pretty consistent. Their sizing doesn't dramatically vanity-size the way some American brands do, and their garments are designed with a feminine but not overly body-con fit in mind. That said, there are a few specifics worth knowing:

• Dresses: These are Kate Spade's strongest category and tend to be the most consistent. Their fit-and-flare and shirt dress styles fit true to your converted US size. If you're fuller on the bust, consider sizing up — their bodices can be snug.

• Tops and blouses: Generally true to size, though their blouses can run a touch narrow across the shoulders. If you have broader shoulders, take your converted size and go one up.

• Trousers and skirts: These I've found to be the trickiest. The waist-to-hip ratio in their trousers assumes a fairly proportionate figure — if you have a significant difference between your waist and hips, you may find yourself sizing up for the hips and taking in the waist.

• Knitwear: Their knits are on the smaller side. I'd always recommend sizing up one from your converted US size here — their cardigans especially come up narrow in the body.

• Occasionwear and party dresses: Kate Spade often has a structured, sculpted fit in their occasion pieces. True to your US conversion, but measure yourself carefully and compare directly to their stated garment measurements before committing.

The Kate Spade Aesthetic — and Who It's Really For

Let's be honest about what Kate Spade does brilliantly: colour, pattern, and a very specific brand of joyful, playful femininity. Think bold stripes, polka dots, whimsical prints, feminine silhouettes. It's not minimalist, it's not understated, and I mean that as a compliment. Their dresses in particular have a charm that's hard to find elsewhere at their price point.

The brand is particularly loved for its bags — and rightly so — but their clothing and accessories follow the same design language: considered, fun, and distinctly New York with a slightly preppy edge. If you like colour and aren't afraid of a print, Kate Spade is an absolute joy to shop. If you prefer a quieter wardrobe, it might not be your natural home.

One thing I'll say as a stylist: Kate Spade dresses photograph beautifully. I've recommended them for weddings, garden parties, and summer work events more times than I can count. The quality for the price is solid, and the brand still carries real name recognition — which, shallow as it sounds, does matter sometimes.

Practical Tips for Shopping Kate Spade from the UK

• Always measure your bust, waist, and hips before ordering and compare to their specific product measurements — not just the size chart.

• Order from their UK site or a UK stockist like ASOS or Selfridges where possible — returns are considerably more straightforward than dealing with international shipments.

• If you're between sizes, size up. Their cuts are designed to look polished and fitted, but not tight — erring larger means you can always wear shapewear underneath or get minor alterations.

• Their sale pieces go quickly in the more unusual sizes, so if you find something you love in your size, don't sit on it.

Brands with a Similar Aesthetic — If You Love Kate Spade's Style

Whether you can't get your hands on Kate Spade in your size, want a more accessible price point, or are simply looking to build out a wardrobe that shares that same playful, feminine energy, here's where I'd shop:

High Street & Mid-Range Picks

• Anthropologie – The closest high-street match to Kate Spade's aesthetic in my view. Eclectic prints, feminine silhouettes, and that same "I dressed with intention today" energy. UK sizing and generally reliable fit. Brilliant for dresses.

• Ted Baker – Strong overlap with Kate Spade's occasion-dress territory. Ted Baker's floral and printed dresses have the same refined femininity, and their quality is genuinely good. Note their own numeric sizing (0–5) — check their guide before ordering.

• Boden – If you love Kate Spade's boldness with print and colour but want something that works more easily day-to-day, Boden is your answer. Brilliant Britishness, reliable sizing, excellent for summer dresses.

• Tommy Hilfiger – Shares that preppy American energy with Kate Spade, particularly in their striped and nautical pieces. Sizing is US-based too, but it's widely available in the UK and runs consistently.

• Banana Republic – Another American brand with a cleaner, more polished take on the same preppy-feminine territory. Quality is strong, sizing is US-based (same conversion rules apply), and their tailored dresses are particularly good.

• Oliver Bonas – A genuinely brilliant UK high-street option for Kate Spade lovers. Their prints are bold, the price point is accessible, and sizing is in straightforward UK numerics. Their midi dresses are consistently well-reviewed.

• Mint Velvet – Slightly softer and more relaxed than Kate Spade, but appeals to the same woman. Excellent quality for the price, reliable UK sizing, and particularly strong for occasion dressing and smart-casual.

• Claudie Pierlot – A French brand that shares Kate Spade's love of colour and feminine tailoring but with a more Parisian edge. Slightly pricier, but sizing is EU-based and consistent.

Two Independent Brands Worth Discovering

• Kitri – A London-based independent brand that has built a devoted following for exactly the kind of bold, beautifully cut dresses that Kate Spade fans will love. They're size-inclusive, the quality is excellent, and they do extended sizing thoughtfully. Genuinely one of my favourite independents right now.

• Lisou – A London label specialising in silk and silk-effect blouses and dresses covered in vivid, painterly prints. If Kate Spade's joyful colour philosophy appeals to you, Lisou is the independent equivalent — and arguably more special. Their pieces feel genuinely luxurious without the designer price tag.

Stop Guessing Your Kate Spade Size

US sizing conversions are confusing — and getting it wrong with Kate Spade means a slow international return. Save yourself the headache with Tellar.co.uk, the UK's leading free clothing sizing tool.

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Plus explore the Tellar Fashion Hub — hundreds of free, honest, unsponsored style guides from our team of stylists. No ads. No bias. Ever.

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