What Is Sizing Like at Kori?

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

Kori runs large — and it does so intentionally. This is a brand built around flowing, relaxed silhouettes inspired by the Greek islands, so if you're ordering for the first time and go by your usual size label, there's a very good chance you'll be swimming in fabric. The golden rule with Kori is simple: size down by one, sometimes two if you prefer a neater fit. I learned this the hard way when a beautiful embroidered tunic arrived looking more like a kaftan tent than the elegant beach cover-up I'd had in mind. Gorgeous fabric, just spectacularly roomy. Once I sized down it was perfect.

Who Is Kori?

If you haven't discovered Greek Archaic Kori yet, you're in for a treat. Founded in 2017 by Stavroula Giannoulatou in Athens, it's a premium resortwear brand rooted in Mediterranean craftsmanship — think intricate gold embroidery on crisp linen, flowing tunics with bell sleeves, and maxi dresses that look like they belong on a whitewashed terrace in Santorini. The brand takes its name from the ancient Greek "Kores" — female statues from the Archaic period — and that sense of timeless, classical femininity runs through everything they make.

It's stocked at Liberty London, Wolf & Badger, and a range of independent boutiques including Pasha Living and Bleue in Marylebone. It sits in the premium resortwear category — not cheap, but genuinely well-made from natural fabrics (linen, cotton, silk), and the kind of thing you'll still be wearing in five years.

The Sizing: What You Actually Need to Know

The short version: size down, always. The longer version is a bit more nuanced depending on what you're buying.

Kori uses a mix of standard S/M/L sizing and dual sizing (S/M, M/L) across their range — which I find slightly maddening if you fall exactly between the two, but it is what it is. Here's how the main categories break down:

Embroidered tunics & kaftans: These are the brand's hero pieces and they run the largest. Deliberately oversized through the bust, sleeves, and hips — this is the intended aesthetic, but if you want shape rather than volume, size down one. A UK 12 should go for a Small or S/M.
Shirt dresses & maxi dresses: Relaxed fit overall, but check the shoulder width if you're broad-shouldered — the cut is quite wide here and can look a little shapeless on certain frames. Again, size down by one for a more defined silhouette.
Linen trousers & wide-leg styles: True to size at the waist if they have an elasticated waistband, but very generous through the hips and thighs. If you're going for a sleeker, more tailored look, size down.
Blouses & tops: Smock-style cuts run large (a UK 10 model wears a Small, per Pasha Living's own sizing notes). More fitted camisole styles can run closer to true to size — check the individual product notes.
Skirts & shorts: The elasticated-waist styles are the most forgiving and generally run closest to true to size. Still worth checking measurements, but you have more room for error here.

💛 My stylist tip: Kori's dual sizing (S/M, M/L) can trip you up if you're a UK 14 — you might find yourself caught between M/L and L/XL. In that situation, always go for the smaller of the two options if you want any kind of shape. The fabric is designed to drape, not cling, so a smaller size will still feel comfortable and won't restrict.

Kori Size Guide: UK Equivalent Reference

Kori LabelUK Size EquivalentBust (cm)Waist (cm)Hips (cm)XS / S/MUK 6–1084–90 cm64–70 cm90–96 cmS / S/MUK 8–1288–94 cm68–74 cm94–100 cmM / M/LUK 12–1494–100 cm74–80 cm100–106 cmL / M/LUK 14–16100–108 cm80–88 cm106–114 cmXLUK 18108–116 cm88–96 cm114–122 cm

Always cross-reference with Kori's own size chart for the specific piece you're buying — dual sizing varies across styles and collections.

How Kori Fits Different Body Shapes

This is genuinely one of my favourite things about the brand — the relaxed, flowing cuts are surprisingly versatile across body shapes. Here's my honest take:

Pear shape: The generous hip and thigh ease in their trousers and maxi skirts works beautifully here. The volume is intentional and flattering. Opt for a fitted camisole underneath a kaftan to give definition at the top.
Hourglass: The embroidered tunics tend to skim over your waist unless you belt them. I'd strongly recommend using a thin leather or rope belt to pull in the waist — it transforms the look completely and shows off your shape.
Apple / fuller bust: The V-neck styles are your best friend here. The relaxed torso fit means you won't feel squeezed, and the linen drapes beautifully over the middle.
Petite: The maxi lengths can overwhelm a smaller frame, so go for their midi or tunic styles first. The mini dresses are also brilliant if you want something that doesn't swamp you.
Tall: Honestly, Kori was made for tall women. The maxi dresses hit the right length, the wide sleeves are proportionate, and the voluminous cuts suit a longer frame perfectly.

What to Buy From Kori

If you're building a Kori wardrobe from scratch, here's where I'd start:

The embroidered linen tunic dress — the brand's iconic piece. Wear it as a dress over a swimsuit at the beach, or with white jeans and sandals in the evening. Utterly versatile.
Wide-leg embroidered linen trousers — paired with a simple white vest, these are genuinely one of the most effortless warm-weather outfits I can think of.
A co-ord set — their matching embroidered blouse and shorts or trouser sets are worth the investment and photograph brilliantly.

Brilliant Alternatives to Kori

Love the aesthetic but want more options — or need something at a different price point? Here are my picks across high street, premium, and designer:

High Street & Accessible:

Zara – Every season Zara produces embroidered linen pieces that directly echo the Kori aesthetic. Quality isn't quite there, but for a fraction of the price, the vibe is spot on. Sizing runs true to size.
Mango – Reliably produces beautiful linen dresses and wide-leg trousers each summer. Very Mediterranean in palette and silhouette. Their sizing runs slightly small, so size up.
Anthropologie – A brilliant source of embroidered boho pieces, especially their linen dresses and blouses. Sizing can vary by brand within the site, so always check the individual size guide.
Monsoon – One of the best high street options for embroidered, bohemian holiday dressing. Their sizing is generally generous and consistent.
Oliver Bonas – Don't overlook OB for summer linen pieces and embroidered accessories. Smaller range than some, but quality has improved significantly and their sizing is true to UK standard.

Premium:

Jigsaw – Consistently excellent linen separates and relaxed summer dresses in a premium range. Very similar wearability to Kori but with a more tailored British sensibility. Sizing is true to UK.
Phase Eight – For the occasion-ready end of the boho spectrum. Their embroidered and embellished dresses are wedding guest and garden party gold. Sizing is true to size UK and their extended range is good.
Cos – If you love the relaxed linen volumes of Kori but want a more minimal, architectural take, COS is the answer. Their sizing runs slightly oversized intentionally — stick to your usual size.

And two brilliant independent picks:

Devotion Twins – Another Greek brand and one of my absolute favourites. Where Kori leans into embroidery and linen, Devotion Twins plays with vibrant prints, textured cottons, and co-ord sets. Similar relaxed-large fit, similar artisan ethos. Genuinely stunning pieces and far too little known outside fashion circles.
Dôen – A California-based independent brand that's become quietly legendary among lovers of floaty, feminine, artisan-inspired dressing. Think smocked cotton dresses, intricate embroidery, and vintage-meets-boho silhouettes. Sizing runs true to US sizing — size up one from your UK size. Worth every penny for special pieces.

Stop Guessing With Kori's Sizing — Use Tellar

Kori's dual sizing (S/M, M/L) combined with their deliberately oversized cuts makes ordering online genuinely tricky — especially when you're spending this much on a piece. That's exactly the problem Tellar.co.uk was built to solve.

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