What Is Sizing Like at Maison Mayle?

The short version: Maison Mayle runs small and structured, so most women need to size up at least one from their usual high street size — especially across the bust and waist. If you normally take a UK 10 on the high street, you’ll often want the equivalent of a 12 here. It’s a brand built on close, couture-style tailoring rather than generous, forgiving cuts, and once you know that, buying it becomes a great deal less stressful.

I’ve styled a fair few Maison Mayle pieces over the years, and the New York label has a real cult following for a reason — vintage-romantic prints, beautiful Japanese denim, boned bodices and that slightly louche, lived-in glamour. But the fit catches people out constantly. Here’s exactly what to expect before you part with the money.

So what’s the fit actually like?

Maison Mayle cuts close to the body and finishes like couture, which means very little ease built in. A few things worth knowing going in:

The bodices are the tightest part. Anything with boning, darts or a fitted waist needs your true bust and waist measurement spot on — size down and it gapes or pulls, size up and you lose the structure that makes it special.
Shoulders are narrow. The delicate fabrics and slim shoulder lines mean broader frames often need to go up to avoid that tell-tale pull across the back.
Trousers and jeans sit high. Expect a vintage-menswear, high-waisted rise with a leg that’s often tapered or wide but cut neat through the hip and seat.
Fabric changes everything. A rigid cotton or denim piece fits nothing like a stretch silk one, so the same “size” behaves very differently item to item.

A word on those French size labels

Here’s where people get tangled up. Maison Mayle is sometimes labelled in French numbers (34 to 42) and sometimes in straightforward XS to L — occasionally within the same wardrobe. So a single jumper might say “S” while the trousers next to it say “38”. Don’t try to do the maths in your head at the till; the only reliable way through is your actual body measurement matched to the specific garment. There’s no universal conversion that holds up across a label this hand-finished.

My honest stylist take

I’ll confess a fail of my own: years ago I ordered a Maison Mayle lace midi dress in my usual size for a client fitting, felt smug about it, and watched it refuse to do up across the bust on the day. Lesson learned. Now I always treat Maison Mayle as a “measure twice, order once” brand — and the win is that when it fits, nothing else in the rail comes close for that romantic, slightly undone elegance. If you’re between sizes, size up and let a good tailor take in the waist. You can always nip a piece in; you cannot conjure fabric that isn’t there.

Where to shop if you love the Maison Mayle look

If you adore that vintage-romantic, beautifully tailored mood but want it at more wearable prices — or just a wider size run — here’s where I’d send you.

High street

Whistles — the closest high street match for clean, modern occasion dresses and quiet tailoring. Sizing here is honest and true to size, so a useful baseline.
Jigsaw — grown-up, fabric-led pieces with a tailored hand; go here for silk blouses and trousers that feel a cut above.
Massimo Dutti — European polish and structured silhouettes; their tailoring captures that continental elegance brilliantly.
Hobbs — the place for a properly structured occasion dress with a defined waist, much in the Maison Mayle spirit.
Boden — vintage-inspired prints and feminine dresses; their florals scratch the same romantic itch for a fraction of the price.
Mint Velvet — soft-luxe separates and easy occasion pieces; generous, forgiving fits if Maison Mayle feels too sharp.
Hush — relaxed-romantic blouses and slip dresses; lovely for that lived-in, undone feel without the boning.
Phase Eight — reliable, structured event dressing with a flattering, slightly roomier cut than Mayle.

Premium

Sézane — the spiritual cousin: Parisian, vintage-romantic and beautifully made. Sizing runs a touch small, much like Mayle, so size up if in doubt.
Ba&sh — effortless French femininity with relaxed tailoring; brilliant for floaty dresses and soft trousers.
Toteme — for the cleaner, more architectural side of your wardrobe; impeccable fabrics and a sharper minimalism.

Luxury & designer

Ulla Johnson — romantic, sculptural and print-rich; arguably the closest designer-level match for the Maison Mayle woman.
Isabel Marant — that effortless Parisian boho-tailoring; runs small and slim, so a familiar fit philosophy.

Two to know (independent)

Sister Jane — a small London label trading in dreamy, vintage-flavoured dresses with real character; a lovely left-field find for occasion pieces.
Cawley Studio — a tiny British studio working in natural fabrics with an artisanal, slightly utilitarian-romantic feel; quietly special and built to last.

How to nail your Maison Mayle size first time

Because Maison Mayle pieces are an investment — dresses can run from around £500 to £1,200, with tops from £250 up — guessing is an expensive habit. A wrong order means a return, a restocking faff, or a beautiful dress that sits unworn. This is exactly the problem we built Tellar to solve.

Find your exact Maison Mayle size in seconds

Tellar is the UK’s leading sizing tool — your body matched exactly to 1,500+ brands instantly. Measure once using your bust, waist and hip (or an existing brand size you know fits), and never squint at a size guide again. Always honest, always unbiased, always free, and it works right in your browser with nothing to download.

Use the Store Size Lookup tool →

Get your precise size in Maison Mayle and beyond — COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket and more — at tellar.co.uk

More from the Tellar Fashion Hub

Our Fashion Hub is a library stacked with free posts from our top stylists — honest, unbiased, independent and always free. Style advice, top picks and the best brands, all in one place. A few favourites to read next:

Buy Maison Mayle with your real measurements in hand and that close, couture fit becomes the best thing about it — not the gamble. Size up if you’re between, trust the tailoring, and let Tellar do the guesswork for you.