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

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

Koral runs true to size across most of its range — so your usual UK size should serve you well. That said, there are a few fabric-specific quirks and fit nuances that are genuinely worth knowing before you invest, because Koral is not cheap, and the last thing you want is a £150 pair of leggings sitting unworn in your drawer.

Who Is Koral, and Why Does It Matter?

If you haven't encountered Koral yet, prepare yourself — it's one of those brands you see on someone at a yoga class and immediately think, "where is she wearing?" Founded by Brazilian designer Ilana Kugel and launched in 2014, Koral is an LA-based luxury activewear label that sits firmly in the designer athleisure space. Think high-gloss finishes, that signature liquid sheen, edgy silhouettes and genuinely technical fabrics. It's the kind of activewear that works just as hard in a Pilates reformer class as it does at brunch afterwards.

I'll be honest — I first spotted Koral on a client who walked into a fitting session wearing a pair of their Lustrous leggings. I actually thought she'd somehow poured herself into them. Completely obsessed. And that was before I'd even looked at the price tag.

The General Sizing Rule at Koral

The good news: Koral is largely true to size. Their sizing uses the standard XS–XL range, and here's how that translates to UK sizing:

Koral SizeUK SizeUS SizeXS6–80–2S8–104–6M10–126–8L14–1610–12XL16–1812–14

The compression level is described as medium — you'll notice it, it feels supportive and snug, but it's not the kind of vice-like squeeze that makes you waddle to your mat. Most reviewers describe it as a confident, flattering hold without being restrictive.

The One Exception: The Lustrous Leggings

If you're eyeing up the iconic Lustrous leggings (and really, who isn't), size down. This is the most consistent piece of sizing advice across the board, and it comes directly from stockists too. The Lustrous fabric — that gorgeous, liquid-shine material that Koral is most famous for — has slightly more give than their other ranges, so going one size down gives you that painted-on effect they're designed to deliver.

If you're between sizes in this style, always go smaller. Trust me on this one.

Fit Notes by Garment

Leggings (standard range): True to size. Medium compression, fully opaque — passes the squat test with flying colours. Inseam is approximately 28 inches, which hits around the ankle on an average 5'6" frame.
Lustrous Leggings: Size down one size. The fabric has more stretch and the fit will otherwise feel too loose to achieve the signature sleek look.
Capris & Bike Shorts: True to size. Capris sit around a 21-inch inseam — great for petite frames as the proportions work really well.
Sports Bras: True to size as a general rule, but the waistband can feel firm, particularly on shorter torsos. If you're between sizes, go up.
Tops & Hoodies: True to size. The Spry Hoodie (a cult favourite) is designed as an oversized fit, so your usual size will give you that relaxed, slightly dropped shape they intend.
Waistband: Worth noting — Koral's waistbands sit at medium rise, not super high. If you're used to a very high waistband (think Lululemon Align territory), it may feel slightly lower than expected. Some reviewers with shorter torsos mention this. If that's you, the Drive Legging range tends to sit higher.

The Fabric Technology (It's Actually Impressive)

Part of what makes Koral sizing feel different from your average high street activewear brand is the fabric engineering. They use three trademarked fabric blends:

Eternal — built for shape retention with LYCRA® Beauty. Excellent compression that holds its structure wash after wash.
Evanesce — a 4-way stretch compression fabric with moisture-wicking technology. This is the one to look for if you're doing high-intensity workouts.
Infinity — the shiny one. That unmistakable opaque, high-shine finish. This is the Lustrous range. Absolutely stunning on, and yes, it's 100% opaque. No see-through horror stories here.

All fabrics are anti-pilling and chlorine resistant, which is excellent news if you're a swimmer or just someone who accidentally ruins their activewear by chucking it in a hot wash (we've all been there).

How Does Koral Compare to Other Luxury Activewear?

If you're used to Lululemon, Koral sizing is very similar — you're likely to find your usual size works. The main difference is the waistband profile: Lululemon tends to sit higher, while Koral's medium rise takes some getting used to if you've become addicted to that ultra-high waistband.

If you're a Sweaty Betty regular, again, your size should translate well. Sweaty Betty also uses medium compression, so the feel is comparable, though Koral's aesthetic is considerably more editorial.

Where to Shop: From High Street to Designer

High Street & Mid-Range Alternatives (when the Koral budget isn't there right now):

Sweaty Betty — the UK's most respected activewear brand for a reason. The Power Legging is a genuine Koral alternative for the woman who wants quality without the premium price tag.
Lululemon — the Align legging is softer but less structural. If you love Koral's compression, try the Wunder Train instead.
Gymshark — great for budget-conscious shoppers who still want compression and a clean aesthetic. The Fit Seamless range is consistently good.
M&S — quietly excellent activewear that gets seriously overlooked. Their Go Move leggings have medium compression and are fully opaque. Solid everyday option.
ASOS — a surprisingly good source for glossy, Koral-esque leggings at a fraction of the price. The own-brand 4505 range has some great sheen options.
H&M — the Move collection is genuinely decent for the price point. Not Koral, clearly, but great for days when you just need an extra pair to rotate.
Zara — has been quietly upping its activewear game. Look for the high-shine leggings in the Sport range — very Koral-adjacent for the price.

Premium Options:

Alo Yoga — probably the closest competitor to Koral in terms of aesthetic and price. True to size with a similar fashion-forward sensibility.
Beyond Yoga — softer and less structured than Koral, but beautifully made. Great if you want luxury without quite as much compression.

Luxury / Designer:

Koral — this is the destination brand here. The Lustrous Legging and Drive Legging are the two hero pieces worth investing in.
Wolford — if you want the luxury sheen look in a more fashion-led direction, Wolford's activewear pieces are extraordinary.

Independent Picks (two brands you might not know yet):

Varley — a London-based luxury activewear brand that sits right in Koral territory. Genuinely beautiful quality, great sizing and a strong cult following among the London fitness crowd. True to size.
P.E Nation — an Australian brand with a bold, graphic aesthetic. Not shiny like Koral, but similarly fashion-forward and excellent quality. Sizing runs slightly generous — perfect if you're between sizes.

Not Sure What Size You Are in Koral? Tellar Has You Covered.

Here's the thing — knowing that Koral is "generally true to size" only gets you so far if you're not sure what your measurements actually mean in practice. That's exactly why Tellar.co.uk exists.

Tellar is the UK's leading free sizing tool — no downloads, no subscriptions, no faff. You put in your measurements once, and it instantly matches your body to 1,500+ brands, so you know your exact size before you buy.

Measure once — bust, waist, hips, or use an existing brand size you know fits
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size across brands like Koral, Sweaty Betty, Lululemon and hundreds more
Always free — works in-browser, no account needed

And when you want more style advice, the Tellar Fashion Hub is a library of honest, unbiased, unsponsored posts from our team of stylists. No ads, no brand deals, just straight-talking fashion advice.

👉 tellar.co.uk

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