What Is Sizing Like at Me&Em? An Honest Stylist's Fit Guide

Me&Em runs generous — most women need to size down by at least one size, especially in dresses and looser, relaxed styles. I've styled hundreds of clients in and out of this cult British label, and I'll be straight with you: the sizing can feel confusing at first if you're used to the high street. But once you understand their deliberately roomy cut, Me&Em becomes one of the most reliable, wear-forever wardrobes you can build. Let me walk you through exactly how it fits, category by category, with the styling tricks I actually use.

So, does Me&Em come up big?

Yes — broadly, it does. Me&Em designs everything around the idea that nothing should cling. Their own design team talks about fit in three ways: the technical measurements, the design intention (slim, oversized, boxy), and how you personally like things to sit. The result is a default cut that's a touch more generous than most high street brands, so your usual size will often feel slightly loose. It's a conscious design choice for a flattering, easy silhouette — not lazy vanity sizing.

Here's my favourite fail to prove the point. Early on, I ordered a relaxed cotton midi in my "safe" size for a client shoot. It turned up gorgeous in fabric and absolutely swamping in fit — like she'd borrowed it from a much taller friend. We dropped a size, and it was perfect. The lesson stuck: with Me&Em, when in doubt, size down.

A category-by-category fit guide

Me&Em isn't uniform across the board — the trick is knowing which pieces to size down and which to leave alone:

Dresses — The relaxed, tiered and floaty styles run the most generous; size down one. Their fitted and tailored dresses are far closer to true-to-size, so take your normal size there.
Knitwear — The most consistent category by a mile. Usually true-to-size or only a whisper generous. Buy your standard size with confidence.
Shirts & cotton (poplin, cheesecloth) — Tend to be roomy and easy. Size down if you want a sharper, more tailored line rather than a relaxed drape.
Trousers — True-to-size through the waist and hip, but long — a 32" inside leg is standard. If you're under about 5'6", go for the shorter length or factor in a hem.
Tailoring & occasionwear — The structured pieces are reliable. Trust the exact measurements listed on each product page and you won't go wrong.

The golden rule: read the garment, not the label

This is the bit most people miss. Me&Em's generic size chart can read oddly — shoppers flag it constantly — so don't lean on it. Instead, go straight to the individual product page, where they list exact bust, waist and hip measurements plus a "The Fit" descriptor telling you whether a piece is slim, oversized or boxy. That information is genuinely accurate, even when the master size guide looks all over the place.

My quick styling checklist before you buy:

Check the per-item measurements against your own — not your usual dress size.
If you're between sizes, take the smaller one (their generous cut buys you breathing room).
Use their try-before-you-buy service to compare two sizes side by side at home.
Budget a little for trouser hems if you're petite — it's worth it for the finish.

Love Me&Em? You'll get on with these too

If you adore that elevated, easy-British look but want a few more options (or slightly more predictable sizing), here's where I'd send you.

High street

Whistles — Modern minimal tailoring and beautifully cut midi dresses, with a slightly more fitted line than Me&Em.
Jigsaw — Timeless British tailoring and quietly luxurious fabrics; a natural sister brand in spirit.
Reiss — Polished, workwear-ready pieces with reliable, true-to-size fit.
COS — Architectural, minimalist staples in lovely heavy fabrics and far more consistent sizing.
Mint Velvet — That relaxed-luxe, throw-it-on elegance Me&Em fans gravitate towards.
Hobbs — Grown-up occasionwear and tailoring that sits true-to-size — brilliant for events.
Boden — British prints and easy dresses with a generous-but-dependable cut.

Premium

Cefinn — Refined British workwear and dresses with the same elevated, polished sensibility.
Sézane — French-girl elegance, gorgeous fabrics and a little more romance in the detailing.
Baukjen — Sustainable, considered British essentials built to last a decade.

Luxury / designer

Totême — Swedish minimalism and quietly perfect proportions; the upgrade pick for Me&Em devotees.
Max Mara — The gold standard for elegant tailoring and investment coats.
The Row — Unrivalled relaxed tailoring if you're ready to invest seriously in fit and fabric.

Two to discover (my left-field picks)

Aligne — An independent London label doing elevated, sustainable contemporary pieces that feel remarkably Me&Em-adjacent at a friendlier price.
Kitri — A small British brand with distinctive prints and standout occasion dresses — perfect when you want something nobody else will be wearing.

Never guess your Me&Em size again

Sizing detective work is exactly why I built Tellar, the UK's leading sizing tool. Match your body once — using your bust, waist, hip, or simply a brand size you already own — and get your exact size across 1,500+ brands instantly. No more squinting at a size guide that doesn't make sense.

Measure once, then shop with certainty.
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size in any brand — COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket and more.
Always free, no downloads, works right in your browser.

Explore the Tellar Fashion Hub

There's also the Tellar Fashion Hub — a library stacked with free posts from our top stylists. Honest, unbiased, independent and always free. Style advice, top picks and the best brands for every body. A few of my favourites to read next:

Stop guessing. Start knowing your size.

Your body, matched to 1,500+ brands in seconds. Always honest, always unbiased, always free.

Find Your Size at Tellar →