What is Sizing Like at Liberty London?

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

Liberty London stocks a wide mix of international brands alongside its own Liberty label, so sizing varies considerably — but as a general rule, you should expect many pieces to run one size smaller than a typical UK high street fit, particularly anything from European or Scandinavian labels.

I've been shopping at Liberty for years, and I still remember the first time I confidently grabbed my usual UK 10 off the rail in their womenswear room and couldn't get it past my hips. Mortifying — especially with the gorgeous wooden floors and hushed atmosphere making everything feel very observed. The lesson I learned that day: Liberty is not the place to assume your size. It is, however, one of the most beautiful and rewarding shops in the world if you come prepared.

Why Sizing at Liberty is Complicated

Liberty London is a department store, not a single brand. They curate pieces from dozens of labels — French, Italian, Scandinavian, Japanese, British — all of which have their own sizing conventions. A size 10 in one rail can feel like a 14 in the next. That said, there are some helpful patterns to understand before you shop.

Liberty's own label (famous for those iconic Tana Lawn prints) runs in standard UK sizing and is generally true to size — sometimes even slightly generous in the body.
European contemporary brands (think Baum und Pferdgarten, Stine Goya, Isabel Marant) often run small and narrow — size up at least one, sometimes two sizes.
Scandinavian labels tend to be slightly more generous through the waist and hip than French or Italian brands, but the fits still lean slimmer than UK high street norms.
Japanese brands stocked at Liberty can run very small — Free Size items in some Japanese labels fit a UK 8–10 at most.
American brands at Liberty generally align more closely to UK sizing, sometimes running slightly larger.

Ella's tip: If you're shopping Liberty in person, always ask a floor assistant which country a brand originates from. It's the quickest shortcut to knowing whether to size up. The staff there genuinely know their stock — use them.

Liberty London Size Conversion Guide

The table below applies to Liberty London's own-label pieces, which follow standard UK sizing. For third-party brands stocked in store, always check the individual brand's size guide.

UK SIZEEU SIZEUS SIZEIT SIZEBUST (CM)WAIST (CM)HIPS (CM)6342388062878364408466911038642887095124084492749914421046967810316441248100821071846145010486111

Sizing by Garment Type

Liberty Dresses & Blouses

Liberty's signature printed blouses and dresses — the ones in that unmistakable Tana Lawn fabric — are among the most reliable for fit. They're cut with a relaxed silhouette, and I'd say they run true to UK size for most body shapes. If you're larger in the bust, sizing up one is sensible as the fabric is quite delicate and doesn't have much stretch. The dresses tend to be generous through the hip, which I've always appreciated.

True-to-size for Liberty own label dresses and blouses
Bust-heavy? Go up one size — the fabric doesn't give
International brand dresses (e.g. Stine Goya, Rixo): size up one to two

Knitwear

Liberty's knitwear offering leans heavily into luxury and contemporary European labels. These tend to run narrow — particularly in the shoulders and arms. If you have broader shoulders or a larger bust, go up two sizes without hesitation. It's not you, it's the cut. Most of these pieces are designed with a very straight, lean silhouette in mind.

European knitwear: size up 1–2
British or American knitwear brands: usually true to size or slightly generous
If in doubt, measure your chest and compare directly to the brand's size guide

Trousers & Skirts

Trousers at Liberty are where the sizing inconsistency feels most noticeable. French brands like Isabel Marant are notoriously cut for a narrow hip — I've sized up three times in their trousers before. Scandinavian labels are a little more forgiving but still run slim. For Liberty's own printed skirts, sizing is more straightforward and tends to be true to UK sizing.

French/Italian brands: expect to size up significantly — try before you buy
Scandinavian brands: size up one as a minimum
Liberty own-label skirts: true to size, occasionally generous

Outerwear & Jackets

The outerwear at Liberty ranges from Japanese workwear-inspired pieces to European tailoring. Structured blazers in European sizing will almost certainly require sizing up — the shoulder line and sleeve length can be very slim. Japanese outerwear can be a wildcard, so always check the measurements in centimetres rather than relying on the label size alone.

Shopping Liberty Online

Liberty's website is beautiful but can feel like navigating a gorgeous maze. Each product listing should carry the brand's specific size guide — always click through to it rather than relying on your instinct. They do offer free returns on full-price items, so ordering two sizes is a perfectly sensible strategy if you can't get in store.

Ella's honest take: I've had some of my greatest fashion wins from Liberty — a silk printed shirt that I still get compliments on years later — and one truly catastrophic size 10 linen jumpsuit that I genuinely couldn't fasten. The store is worth navigating. Just come with measurements in hand and an open mind about the number on the label.

Where to Shop Instead — Alternatives to Liberty London

Liberty is special, but it's also expensive and the sizing complexity means it's not always practical. Whether you love the print-heavy aesthetic, the eclectic mix of styles, or just the general vibe of elevated womenswear, here are my top picks across every budget.

High Street Alternatives

Anthropologie — The closest high street equivalent to Liberty's aesthetic. Eclectic prints, bohemian silhouettes, and a genuinely broad sizing range. Sizing runs true to UK for most pieces.
Oliver Bonas — Brilliant for printed dresses and statement blouses with that independent boutique feel. Very accessible sizing, true to UK standard.
Mint Velvet — For grown-up, relaxed luxury pieces with a Liberty-ish colour palette. Sizing is generous and consistent — great for curvier figures.
Whistles — Understated, well-made pieces that have a lot in common with Liberty's more pared-back brands. Clean tailoring, true to UK size.
Me&Em — A brilliant British label for quality and fit. Sizes run true to UK, and they've got a brilliant range of prints and elevated basics.
Urban Outfitters — For the younger, more eclectic side of Liberty's offer. Great for bold prints and statement pieces; sizing varies by brand so check each listing.
Phase Eight — Particularly strong for Liberty-style occasion pieces and printed maxi dresses. Sizing is reliable and tends to be true to UK, occasionally generous.
Cos — If you love the more minimal, architectural brands Liberty stocks, COS is a natural alternative. Runs slightly slim; size up if you're between sizes.

Premium Alternatives

Massimo Dutti — Elevated, European quality with reliable sizing. A great landing point between high street and designer. Runs slightly slim, size up one if in doubt.
Reiss — Brilliant tailoring and occasion pieces at a fraction of Liberty prices. Sizing is consistent and generally true to UK.
Ted Baker — A natural premium alternative for Liberty's more feminine, print-led pieces. Runs true to size; great across a range of body shapes.

Luxury & Designer Alternatives

Max Mara — A beautifully cut luxury label for those who love Liberty's more refined, Italian-influenced offer. Sizing runs slim, particularly through the shoulder.
Claudie Pierlot — French label with gorgeous prints and a Liberty-adjacent aesthetic. Runs small — size up two from your usual UK size as a starting point.

Two Independent Finds Worth Knowing About

Lisou — A London-based independent label specialising in hand-painted printed silk blouses and dresses. Genuinely stunning pieces that scratch the Liberty itch at a slightly lower price point. Sizing is true to UK.
Cefinn — The quietly brilliant brand founded by Samantha Cameron. Beautifully considered womenswear with a strong colour and print story. Cuts very well for a range of figures and sizes run true to UK.

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