What Is Sizing Like at Lola May?

BY ELLA BLAKE — FASHION STYLIST | TELLAR FASHION HUB — ALWAYS HONEST, UNBIASED & UNSPONSORED

Lola May sizes inconsistently across styles — fitted dresses and co-ord sets tend to come up small in the bust, while wide-leg trousers and oversized pieces often run generous — so checking your measurements before ordering is genuinely worth doing. I've learned this the hard way: I ordered a satin slip dress in my usual size, and when it arrived the bust was so tight I could barely breathe. The trousers in the same set, meanwhile, were practically falling off me. Lola May is brilliant, but you do need to go in with your eyes open.

So, What Is Lola May as a Brand?

If you're not already familiar, Lola May is a London-based womenswear brand known for its bold, trend-forward in-house designs — think rich textures, statement co-ords, faux leather pieces and playful prints at high street prices. It has a huge presence on ASOS and its own website, and it's become something of a go-to for anyone who wants a look that feels a bit more considered than generic fast fashion. The brand runs from a size 6 to a 20, which is a solid range, and the clothes genuinely photograph beautifully. The quality for the price point is decent — especially the boucle jackets and structured blazers — but sizing is where things get complicated.

How Does Lola May Sizing Actually Run?

Here's the honest breakdown from real shopper feedback and what I've observed styling clients in Lola May pieces:

Fitted tops and dresses — these consistently come up small in the bust. If you're a 34D or above, size up by one. I've seen this catch people out time and again.
Co-ord sets — a classic Lola May mismatch situation. The top half often needs one size, the bottom half another. If you can only order one, prioritise your bust size and get the trousers altered if needed.
Wide-leg trousers and sets — these tend to run slightly large at the waist. A lot of customers report needing a belt or size down here.
Oversized blazers and boyfriend shirts — the fit is intentionally generous by design, but it's not always clearly labelled. Check the product description carefully.
Jumpsuits and matching sets — bust fit and waist gaping are the two most common complaints. Always match your bust measurement first.
Knitwear — generally comes up true to size or slightly relaxed. Less stressful to order.

My Lola May Styling Tips

I always tell clients: Lola May is for the woman who wants to look like she's made an effort without spending a fortune — and that's genuinely rare to find. But you need your measurements to hand before you shop, not after. A tape measure is your best friend here.

When styling Lola May pieces, I tend to anchor the outfit with something simple — clean trainers or block heels, a minimal bag. The brand's prints and textures do the talking, so you don't need to compete with accessories. Their faux leather and boucle pieces in particular have real impact at surprisingly low price points. I've dressed clients for birthday dinners, press events and even low-key weddings in Lola May and had nothing but compliments — you just have to nail the fit first.

What to Buy at Lola May

Faux leather trousers — a genuine bestseller and rightly so. Pair with an oversized blazer in the same family for an effortless co-ord feel.
Satin slip dresses — beautiful for evenings out, but size up in the bust if you're fuller chested.
Boucle jackets — the quality feels premium for the price. Size up if between sizes.
Ruffle detail dresses — these run narrow. Go up one size from your usual.
Relaxed knit sets — the most straightforward buy. True to size and very wearable.

High Street Brands With More Consistent Sizing

If you love Lola May's aesthetic but want a slightly more predictable fit, these high street options are worth exploring:

River Island — very similar trend-led energy with a great party dress edit. Sizing is generally more consistent across styles and they have an excellent size guide.
Topshop (available via ASOS) — the revived Topshop range has a similar playful, statement feel. Tends to run true to UK sizing.
Urban Outfitters — brilliant for the same urban-cool aesthetic, particularly for co-ords and occasion dresses. Slightly more generous in the cut.
Warehouse — if you like Lola May's occasion dresses, Warehouse is an excellent alternative with better consistency across the chest.
All Saints — a step up in quality with that same edgy, city-girl feel. Sizing is very reliable.
Oasis — ideal for the more feminine Lola May styles. Good fit data and solid returns policy.
Phase Eight — if you want the dressed-up occasion look with less sizing guesswork. Cut with a bit more room in the bust and waist.
Oliver Bonas — brilliant for playful prints and textures, with a sizing approach that's considerably more forgiving for curvier figures.

Two Independent Brands Worth Knowing

Nobody's Child — a UK sustainable label that does exactly what Lola May does but with more consistent sizing and better attention to fit across body types. Their printed midi dresses and co-ords are genuinely outstanding. The sizing runs true and they're very transparent about measurements. A brand I recommend constantly.
Finery London — a quietly brilliant independent label that delivers the kind of polished, modern tailoring that Lola May occasionally dips into, but with far more reliable sizing. Their wide-leg trousers and blazers are a particular highlight. Not as loud in its branding but thoroughly satisfying to wear.

Premium Picks

If you're open to spending a little more for guaranteed fit and longevity, Me+Em and Whistles are two brands I return to again and again. Me+Em in particular is exceptional for clean co-ords and separates — the quality is a significant step up and sizing is very well calibrated. Anthropologie is worth a look too for anyone who loves Lola May's texture play — their knitwear and printed dresses are beautiful.

Luxury Options

If you're in the market for serious investment pieces with that same bold, confident energy, Rixo (a British label, and one of my personal all-time favourites) delivers occasion dressing with brilliant prints and a fit that respects the female form. For something more avant-garde, Zimmermann's resort and evening pieces are genuinely spectacular — though sizing there requires careful attention to their own chart.

The Easiest Way to Get Your Lola May Size Right

Honestly? Don't rely on Lola May's own size guide alone. The inconsistency between garment types makes it genuinely unreliable as a catch-all. What I always recommend to clients — and what I use myself — is Tellar.co.uk. You put in your bust, waist and hip measurements once, and it matches you directly to the correct size across over 1,500 brands, including Lola May. No more ordering two sizes and sending one back. No more arriving at a party in a dress you can barely zip up. It genuinely takes the stress out of online shopping — and it's completely free to use. The Store Size Lookup tool is particularly brilliant for brands like Lola May where the sizing varies so dramatically by style. You can measure once and shop confidently every time.

Never Guess Your Size in Lola May Again

Tellar is the UK's leading clothing size tool — matching your exact measurements to over 1,500 brands instantly. Free, no downloads, works in-browser.

Measure your bust, waist and hips once with a soft tape
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size in any brand — Lola May, COS, Reiss, ASOS, Arket & more
Browse the Tellar Fashion Hub — a free library of honest, unbiased style guides from our expert stylists. No ads, no sponsored content, always free.

→ Visit Tellar.co.uk