What is Sizing Like at Michael Kors?

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

Michael Kors uses American sizing, which means UK shoppers should size down by one — so if you're a UK 12, you'll want a US 8 (which is a Michael Kors 8). The good news is that once you've got your head around the conversion, Michael Kors clothing tends to run fairly true to size for its US measurements, occasionally with a slightly generous cut through the body. I've been recommending the brand to clients for years, and honestly the sizing consistency is one of the things I respect about them — once you know your MK number, you can shop pretty confidently.

Understanding the Michael Kors World

Michael Kors occupies that sweet spot between accessible luxury and high street — the kind of brand that feels genuinely aspirational without requiring a second mortgage. Think clean American sportswear, polished occasion wear, the occasional bold print, and those jet-set vibes that have been the brand's calling card since the early 2000s. The clothes are well-made, consistently proportioned, and designed to flatter rather than challenge.

The brand splits into a few lines — the mainline Michael Kors Collection (higher price point, runway-adjacent), Michael Kors (the core ready-to-wear you'll find at department stores and the MK website), and MICHAEL Michael Kors (the more casual, accessible diffusion line). Sizing is consistent across all three, which is genuinely helpful.

Michael Kors Size Conversion Chart

Michael Kors uses US sizing throughout. Here's how that translates for UK shoppers:

Michael Kors / US SizeUK SizeEU SizeApprox. Bust (cm)Approx. Waist (cm)Approx. Hip (cm)043279608526348263884836866792610389071968124094751001014429879104121644102831081418461068711216204811091116

Ella's Key Rule: Subtract two from your UK size to get your Michael Kors size. UK 12 = MK 8. UK 14 = MK 10. Simple once you've got it. When in doubt between two sizes, go up — MK has a slightly generous ease through the body on most styles, so the larger size won't swamp you.

How Sizing Plays Out Across Different Pieces

Dresses & Occasion WearThis is where Michael Kors genuinely shines and where clients come to me asking for advice most often. The wrap dresses and midi lengths are cut beautifully — they're designed for a real body, not a sample size. Size using your bust measurement first; the wrap styles accommodate different waist-to-hip ratios well. I styled a client for a wedding last autumn in an MK floral midi and we went with her bust size and had zero issues — it fitted like a dream.

Tailoring & BlazersMK tailoring has a relaxed American sensibility — not boxy, but not sharply fitted in the Italian manner either. It's what I'd call "polished ease." Size true to your chest measurement. If you have broader shoulders, check the shoulder seam placement carefully; the brand cuts for a fairly narrow American shoulder. If the shoulders fit, everything else can be adjusted.

Knitwear & Casual TopsThese tend to be the most relaxed pieces in the range and the sizing reflects that — often a touch generous. If you're petite or prefer a neater fit, consider sizing down by one on knitwear. The cashmere-blend jumpers in particular have lovely drape when worn slightly fitted.

Trousers & JeansMK trousers use the same US sizing so convert as above, but pay close attention to the rise. Michael Kors has moved between mid and high-rise cuts across different seasons, and the fit through the thigh can vary depending on the style. Always check the product description before buying online. For MICHAEL Michael Kors denim specifically, most customers find them true to their usual US jean size.

Bags, Shoes & AccessoriesThe bags are, let's be honest, often why people are drawn to Michael Kors in the first place. The Jet Set tote, the Hamilton satchel, the Mercer — all iconic for good reason. No sizing considerations beyond shoe sizing, where MK runs true to UK size (their EU-to-UK conversion is standard).

Fit Tips for Different Body Shapes

Petite frames: The MICHAEL Michael Kors line skews slightly more casual and relaxed, which can overwhelm a petite frame. Stick to the mainline MK pieces for cleaner, more proportionate cuts. Size down on any oversized styles.
Fuller bust: The wrap dresses and V-neck styles are your friends. MK designs these particularly well, with enough fabric in the bodice to avoid that dreaded pulling across the chest. Size to your bust.
Hourglass & curvy: Michael Kors is genuinely one of the better premium brands for curvy figures — the ease built into the clothes, combined with stretch fabrics in many pieces, means you can usually size by your hip measurement and find the waist sits well too.
Taller frames: MK hemlines tend to sit at the standard US length, which often means midi dresses hit just above the knee on taller UK customers. Factor this in when choosing lengths, or embrace it — a midi-turned-mini isn't always a bad thing.

Where to Shop If Michael Kors Doesn't Quite Work for You

Michael Kors occupies a very specific lane: polished American sportswear meets understated luxury, with a strong identity and consistent quality. If the sizing, price point, or aesthetic isn't quite right for you, here are my most recommended alternatives — split by budget:

High Street & Accessible:

Calvin Klein — The closest aesthetic match on the high street, full stop. Clean lines, American minimalism, great quality basics. CK's sizing is also US-based so the same conversion rules apply — helpful if you're making the switch.
Tommy Hilfiger — That same polished American-preppy DNA, with a slightly more relaxed, colourful energy. Brilliant for smart casual and occasion pieces, and widely available in the UK with consistent sizing.
Banana Republic — Chronically underrated on this side of the Atlantic. Sharp tailoring, beautiful fabrications, and a very similar jet-set aesthetic to Michael Kors at a slightly lower price point. Also uses US sizing, so the conversion is straightforward.
Massimo Dutti — For MK customers who want the polished, grown-up quality but prefer a European sensibility. Massimo Dutti's tailoring and knitwear is exceptional, and the sizing tends to be more consistent for UK bodies.
Whistles — A brilliant British alternative for the Michael Kors customer who wants the same quiet luxury and wearable elegance but in UK sizing. The quality-to-price ratio is excellent and the brand has had a brilliant few seasons.
Hobbs — Think Michael Kors's occasion-wear sensibility translated into a thoroughly British context. Hobbs runs true to UK sizing, is brilliant for weddings and smart events, and the quality is solid.
Phase Eight — If it's MK's dress game that drew you in, Phase Eight is the high street answer. Consistently good quality, flattering cuts across a wide size range, and very competitive pricing.
Mint Velvet — That relaxed, effortless luxury feel that MK does so well, translated into a British brand with UK-true sizing. Particularly strong on knitwear and easy layering pieces.

Two Independent Picks You Should Know:

Kitri — A London-based independent brand that has built a devoted following for exactly the right reasons: beautiful fabrications, considered cuts, and an aesthetic that sits squarely in the polished-but-relaxed lane that Michael Kors occupies. Sizing is inclusive and the quality is genuinely impressive for the price. A firm favourite of mine.
Sézane — The French answer to MK's American elegance — effortless, high-quality, and designed to last. Sézane sizes in French/EU, runs true, and the craftsmanship on their knitwear and dresses rivals brands at twice the price. If you haven't tried them yet, you're in for a treat.

Stop Guessing Your Size — Use Tellar

The US-to-UK sizing conversion at Michael Kors trips up even experienced shoppers. It's exactly the kind of thing Tellar.co.uk was built to solve. It's the UK's leading clothing sizing tool — matching your exact measurements to 1,500+ brands in seconds, so you buy right first time, every time.

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And if you're looking for more style advice, the Tellar Fashion Hub is a library of free, unsponsored posts from our stylists covering every fashion question imaginable. Honest. Independent. Always free.

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