What Is Sizing Like at Kika Vargas?

Kika Vargas runs true to size to slightly large, with the most generosity in the hips and waist thanks to all those flared, tiered cuts — so most people can take their usual size, while anyone petite or between sizes is often better sizing down. That's the short answer. But Kika Vargas is one of those labels where the silhouette does so much of the talking that fit deserves a proper look, so let me walk you through it as I would with a client standing in my fitting room.

First, why fit is trickier here than most

If you've not come across her yet, Kika Vargas is the Bogotá-born, Milan-trained designer (she cut her teeth at Missoni before launching in 2011) behind some of the most romantic, architectural pieces in contemporary fashion — think exaggerated puff sleeves, sculptural peplums, tiered ruffles, Peter Pan collars and hand-drawn prints. It's maximalism done beautifully.

The catch is that structured, voluminous design is far less forgiving than your average stretchy midi. There's almost no give in the fabrics, and the shape is the whole point — so a size out either way doesn't just feel snug, it changes the look entirely. I learned this the hard way styling a shoot a couple of years back: I'd sized a tiered poplin dress up "to be safe", and on camera it swamped the model and lost every bit of its lovely structure. We pinned it within an inch of its life. Lesson firmly learned — with Vargas, you respect the cut.

The honest fit verdict

True to size, leaning slightly large — the flared and tiered shapes add room through the lower half, so there's breathing space in the waist and hips.
Petite or between sizes? Size down. The volume can overwhelm a smaller frame, and dropping a size keeps the architecture sharp rather than drowning you.
Fuller bust? Try before you commit. The bodices are cut neat, so the bust is the one place a piece can feel tight while the rest sits roomy.

Garment by garment

Dresses: Generously cut through the hips and waist. The signature tiered styles (the Pepa being the classic) are the ones to size down in if you're hovering between two.
Blouses & tops: Shoulder fit is everything. Those gorgeous puff sleeves can pull tight at the armhole, so if you've got broader shoulders, go by your upper-arm comfort rather than your usual top size.
Trousers: Rarer, but properly tailored when they appear — check the waist and rise carefully, as there's little stretch to fall back on.

A word on the fabrics

So much of the fit story here is really a fabric story. Vargas favours crisp cotton poplin, structured taffeta and silk — beautiful, sculptural and almost completely non-stretch. That's exactly what gives the pieces their stand-away shape, but it also means there's no wiggle room if you guess wrong. My rule with any rigid, statement fabric: nail the size first, tailor the length second. A hem is an easy fix; a too-tight bodice in taffeta is not.

What I'd actually buy

If you're investing, buy the pieces that announce themselves — a tiered ruffle dress, a bold peplum top, a puff-sleeve blouse with a high neck. These are wardrobe heroes you'll pull out for years, not basics. Keep the rest of your outfit quiet (sleek heels, a simple bag, hair back) and let the Vargas piece be the entire conversation.

Where else to shop the Kika Vargas look

Not ready for the designer price tag? The romantic, voluminous, print-led mood is having a real moment, so you can build a very similar look at every level.

High street

Ghost — floaty, romantic and built around the kind of soft volume and ruffle detail Vargas does at the top end.
Nobody's Child — puff sleeves, painterly prints and tiered shapes, all at a very kind price.
Anthropologie — the closest high-street match for that whimsical, sculptural, print-heavy feel.
Monsoon — reliably feminine occasionwear with the drama dialled up.
Coast — structured occasion dresses with a peplum-and-ruffle sensibility.
Hush — relaxed, prettily printed pieces for the everyday end of the look.
Whistles — modern, clean-lined femininity when you want the romance pared back a notch.

Premium

Sézane — Parisian romance with the ruffles, prints and puff sleeves done with real polish.
Ganni — playful volume and statement prints with a cooler, more contemporary edge.

Luxury / designer

Cecilie Bahnsen — arguably Vargas's closest spiritual sibling: sculptural, dreamy, all volume and texture.
Saloni — bold prints and beautifully cut occasion dresses with the same celebratory energy.

Two left-field independents worth knowing

Batsheva — the New York label turning prairie-romantic volume into something genuinely architectural; if you love the Vargas drama, you'll love this.
Sister Jane — a London independent quietly nailing ruffles, puff sleeves and rich textures, often at a fraction of designer prices.

Stop guessing your size — let Tellar do it

Here's the thing about a brand like Kika Vargas: with non-stretch fabrics and sculptural cuts, getting your size right first time genuinely matters — and that's exactly why I built Tellar. It's the UK's leading sizing tool, matching your body to over 1,500 brands instantly, so you never have to squint at another confusing size guide.

Measure once — using your bust, waist and hip, or simply a brand size you already own.
Use the Store Size Lookup to get your precise size in any brand — COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket and hundreds more.
Always free, no downloads, works straight in your browser.

Find your exact size in 1,500+ brands — instantly, and for free.

Visit Tellar.co.uk | Try the Store Size Lookup tool

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Buy the statement piece, respect the cut, and check your size before you fall in love with it. Do that, and a Kika Vargas dress will turn heads for years.

— Ella Blake, Senior Stylist, Tellar