What is Sizing Like at Matalan?

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

Matalan sizing runs true to standard UK sizing — in most cases you can order your usual size with confidence, though jersey and stretch pieces do occasionally come up a touch generous, so it’s worth knowing which categories to watch. I’ve been buying from Matalan for years, mainly for holiday basics, loungewear, and the occasional genuinely great occasion dress find, and sizing consistency has actually improved considerably in recent seasons. For the most part, what you expect is what you get — which for a value retailer is no small thing.

A Quick Word on Matalan

Matalan doesn’t always get the credit it deserves in fashion conversations, and that genuinely baffles me. Yes, it’s a budget retailer. Yes, you can walk out with a full outfit for under £40. But the brand has quietly improved its offer over the past few years — better fabrications, more considered prints, and a homeware range that honestly punches well above its price bracket. It’s a proper British institution with over 220 stores and a reliable online offer, and its sizing range — from a 6 to a 24 in most lines — is one of the most inclusive on the high street. That matters, and it doesn’t get said enough.

Their womenswear covers everything from workwear basics and casual weekend pieces to swimwear, occasionwear, and activewear. The quality is variable depending on category — I’ve had jersey basics that have lasted brilliantly and structured pieces that haven’t — but as a destination for everyday staples and seasonal holiday picks, it remains one of the most sensible shops on the high street.

Matalan Size Guide: UK to International Conversions

Matalan uses standard UK sizing throughout. Here’s how that maps internationally:

UK SizeEU SizeUS SizeBust (cm)Waist (cm)Hips (cm)634280608683648464901038688689412408927298144210967610216441210080106184614104841102048161109011622501811696122245220122102128

* Measurements are approximate guidelines. Fit varies by garment style and fabric. When ordering online, always cross-reference with the product-specific size guide.

Garment by Garment: Where Sizing Gets Interesting

True to size is the headline, but it’s never quite that simple with any retailer. Here’s my honest breakdown of where Matalan sizing behaves well and where you might want to adjust:

Tops & T-shirts: Generally true to size. Their jersey basics are reliable and wash well. I’d stick to your usual size here. Fitted styles are cut fairly straight, so if you’re a larger cup size or carry weight on your upper body, consider sizing up one.
Dresses: Mostly true to size in the standard range. Jersey wrap and skater dresses can come up slightly generous through the waist — sizing down one is worth considering if you’re between sizes. Occasionwear dresses with boning or structure tend to be very true to size and are well finished for the price.
Trousers & Jeans: True to size on the waist but worth checking the leg length. Matalan’s standard leg tends to sit around 30–31 inches, which suits a lot of women but can be slightly short for those over 5’6”. Their jeans have improved a lot recently — the fit is better than you might expect at this price point.
Swimwear: This is genuinely one of Matalan’s strong suits. Sizing is consistent and the support is decent, particularly in the underwired styles. Stick to your true size. I’d never go to a beach holiday without checking Matalan first — the value per wear is extraordinary.
Knitwear: Runs true to size but has a more relaxed fit than some brands. If you like a fitted knit, size down. If you’re after something cosy and slouchy, your usual size is perfect.
Activewear: The Matalan activewear range has expanded significantly. Leggings tend to be true to size with good stretch recovery. Tops can be slightly loose through the torso — size down if you like your workout kit close-fitting.
Coats & Jackets: True to size, but bear in mind these are cut without a great deal of ease for layering. If you plan to wear chunky knitwear underneath, consider going up one size.

Petite, Curve & Tall: How Does Matalan Do on Fit Ranges?

This is actually an area where Matalan does reasonably well compared to some of its direct competitors. The brand offers a dedicated curve range up to a size 24 across most categories, and the fit is generally more considered than you’d expect at this price point — waistbands sit properly, hems hit the right place, and the proportions are adjusted rather than just scaled up. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than many. A petite range exists online, though in-store availability can be patchy depending on your location.

My Honest Matalan Styling Tips

Shopping Matalan well is genuinely a skill, and I say that with nothing but affection. The trick is to be selective rather than buy everything in one go. Here’s what I always head straight for:

Swimwear and holiday basics — this is where your budget goes furthest and the quality is most consistent.
Occasionwear dresses — they do a brilliant line in wedding guest and party dresses that photograph beautifully and cost a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere.
Jersey layering pieces — longline vests, basic tees, and lightweight cardigans are all brilliant value and wash reliably.
Avoid heavily structured tailoring at the very budget end — the fabrication can let these pieces down quickly with regular wear.

Brands Worth Knowing If You Love Matalan

Whether you’re looking for a step up in quality, a slightly different aesthetic, or just more options, here are my recommendations across three tiers:

🏬 HIGH STREET ALTERNATIVES

Next — The most natural comparison to Matalan. Very similar customer, reliable sizing, strong occasionwear and basics offer, and consistently good value. Their Total Support Secret Slimming range is particularly well reviewed.
M&S — A step up in fabric quality and consistency. Brilliant for workwear basics, knitwear, and lingerie. Their Per Una range divides opinion but their core womenswear is quietly excellent.
New Look — Great if you want Matalan’s price point with a younger, trend-led edge. Strong on jeans and going-out dresses. Sizing is broadly consistent with Matalan.
Phase Eight — A clear step up for occasionwear — if you love Matalan’s event dresses but want to invest more, Phase Eight is where I’d send you first. Beautifully cut and reliable sizing.
Fat Face — Perfect if you gravitate towards Matalan’s casual, weekend side. Better quality cotton and linen, similar relaxed vibe, and a loyal customer base for a reason.
Seasalt Cornwall — Another brilliant option for the casual/coastal lover. The fabrics are genuinely better than Matalan at this price range, and the prints are gorgeous. Sizing runs true.
Joules — A cheerful, print-forward British brand that appeals to a very similar customer to Matalan — family-friendly, practical, colourful. Quality is a notch above and sizing is consistent.

✦ PREMIUM STEP-UP

Boden — If you want to invest properly in classic British basics with a personality, Boden is the destination. Better fabrication than Matalan, similar cheerful sensibility, and sizing that is reliably true to the UK standard.
Mint Velvet — A brilliant premium mid-market option. Strong on relaxed tailoring, great knitwear, and the kind of everyday pieces that look far more expensive than they are. Sizing is true to UK standard.

💎 INDEPENDENT & NICHE PICKS

Nobody’s Child — A London-based sustainable brand that has quietly become one of the best independent options for women who want stylish, fairly priced womenswear with real ethical credentials. Their dresses in particular are brilliant — well-cut, flattering, and genuinely good value for the quality. Sizing runs true to UK standard and they go up to a size 24.
Sosandar — A UK brand that started online and has built a loyal following for exactly the kind of woman who shops Matalan but wants something slightly more polished for work or evenings out. Smart separates, beautiful print blouses, and a really strong occasionwear offer. Sizing is true to UK standard and customer reviews on fit are consistently excellent.

Never Guess Your Matalan Size Again

Tellar is the UK’s free sizing tool — your exact measurements matched to 1,500+ brands instantly. Find your perfect fit in Matalan, Next, M&S, and hundreds more.

Visit Tellar.co.uk Try the Store Size LookupAlways free • No downloads needed • Works in-browser • tellar.co.uk

If Matalan’s broad size range is part of why you love it, you’ll appreciate this: Tellar is the UK’s leading free sizing tool, and it covers 1,500+ brands — from Matalan and Next all the way up to luxury labels. You measure once — bust, waist, hip, or just input your known size from another brand — and Tellar does the rest, instantly matching you to the right size wherever you’re shopping. No subscriptions, no downloads, completely free and works straight in your browser.

The Store Size Lookup tool is brilliant for those moments when you’re shopping a brand you’ve never tried before and don’t want to risk a return. And the Tellar Fashion Hub is a constantly growing library of free, unsponsored fashion posts from our stylists — honest, independent, and always free. No brand pays to appear here. Ever.