What Is Sizing Like at Motel Rocks?

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

Motel Rocks runs true to size for most styles — but there are a few important quirks to know before you hit checkout, particularly with their bodycon and structured pieces, which can come up snug through the waist and hips if you're not prepared for it.

I'll be honest with you: I have a slightly complicated relationship with Motel Rocks. I first started recommending them to clients about eight years ago when I was styling someone for a festival and needed something bold, retro, and unlikely to be on five other people at the same campsite. Motel delivered brilliantly. But I also once ordered a zip-front mini dress in my usual size and spent a good ten minutes wrestling it over my hips in a changing room the size of a broom cupboard. So — true to size, mostly, but with a caveat or two. Let me break it down properly.

Who Is Motel Rocks?

If you haven't come across them, Motel Rocks is a UK-born brand that launched in 2007 and has built a seriously loyal following on the back of bold prints, retro silhouettes, and genuinely fun going-out and festival fashion. Think 70s-inspired wrap dresses, satin midi skirts, co-ords that actually co-ordinate, and bodycon styles in vintage-esque fabrics. Their price point sits between roughly £30 and £80 for most pieces, which makes them a brilliant go-to for statement dressing that won't completely devastate your bank account. They're a UK staple — and a firm favourite of mine for clients who want to look like they've put serious thought into an outfit without spending a fortune.

How Does Motel Rocks Size Up?

Motel Rocks uses standard UK sizing and runs from approximately a UK 6 to a UK 16 (sometimes 18 on selected styles). Based on years of recommending them to clients with all different shapes and proportions, here's the honest breakdown by garment type:

Stretchy and jersey styles — very forgiving and comfortable at your true size. Their bodycon dresses in stretch fabrics are particularly accommodating if you're between sizes.
Structured or woven pieces — blazers, structured co-ord sets, and anything with a fitted bodice can come up on the smaller side. I'd suggest going up a size here if you're in any doubt at all.
Wrap dresses and midi styles — generally true to size and genuinely flattering. The adjustable tie means there's natural flexibility across different body shapes, which is why I always point curvier clients towards these first.
Satin pieces — satin is an unforgiving fabric; it doesn't give. If you're fuller through the hips or bust, size up by one. I cannot stress this enough. You will thank me later.
Knitwear — relaxed and quite generous. You may actually prefer to size down here for a more fitted, intentional look rather than an oversized one.

My golden rule for Motel Rocks? If you're sitting between sizes, always go up. You can belt a slightly bigger dress into shape. You cannot un-split a seam at a festival.

Motel Rocks Size Conversion Table

UK SizeUS SizeEU SizeLabelBust (inches)Waist (inches)Hips (inches)6234XS31–3223–2433–348436XS/S33–3425–2635–3610638S35–3627–2837–3812840M37–3829–3039–40141042L39–4031–3241–42161244XL41–4233–3443–44

Motel Rocks publishes its own size guide on their website — always cross-reference with your actual measurements, especially for satin or structured styles where there's no stretch to save you.

My Top Tips for Getting the Right Fit at Motel Rocks

Lead with your hip measurement. Motel Rocks designs are hip-forward — their cuts celebrate curves, but structured woven pieces will hug you closely and leave no room for error.
Check the fabric content. Anything with elastane or a notable stretch percentage is far more size-forgiving than a pure woven or satin piece. This one detail will save you a lot of hassle.
Read the customer reviews. Motel Rocks shoppers are an opinionated and genuinely helpful bunch — their reviews regularly flag if a particular style runs small, long, or unexpectedly boxy.
For bodycon styles specifically — go true to size if your measurements fall within the standard range. Size up if you prefer to be comfortable and breathe freely. Both are valid life choices.

Brands With a Similar Aesthetic (And How They Size)

If you love the Motel Rocks vibe but want to explore similar territory — or need something in a size or style they don't currently carry — these are the brands I'd steer you towards:

High Street Options

ASOS — the closest high street equivalent for breadth of retro-inspired going-out dressing. The ASOS Design range rivals Motel directly for prints and silhouette. Sizing varies slightly by sub-brand, but ASOS own-label tends to be generous and largely true to size.
Topshop (now available via ASOS) — the spiritual home of retro-inspired festival and party dressing in the UK for many years. Their bodycon dresses remain a category benchmark and run true to size.
River Island — brilliant for bold prints, wrap dresses, and going-out co-ords. Sizing is consistent and true to size, with a good extended range. Worth bookmarking alongside Motel for any going-out wardrobe edit.
Urban Outfitters — a natural companion to Motel for anyone with a vintage and festival sensibility. Their sizing tends slightly relaxed, so if anything, you might consider sizing down here compared to Motel.
New Look — chronically underrated for retro-inspired occasion dressing at a very accessible price. Their printed and satin midi dresses are genuinely impressive for the price. Sizing is consistent and true to size.
Warehouse — slightly more polished than Motel but covers very similar territory for going-out and party dressing. True to size and reliable across their dress and separates range.
French Connection — steps things up a notch in terms of fabric quality and construction. Their bodycon and knit dresses are well-cut and size true. Worth the slightly higher price point if you want the Motel aesthetic with considerably more longevity.
H&M — always worth a look for trend-driven pieces at minimal financial risk. Their going-out and printed occasion range is strong seasonally. Sizing can be slightly inconsistent across styles, so do check the specific garment measurements rather than relying on your usual label size.

Two Independent Picks Worth Knowing

Never Fully Dressed — a London-based independent brand I genuinely love recommending to clients. They specialise in bold prints, wrap styles, and inclusive sizing up to a UK 26. The quality is noticeably a step above fast fashion alternatives, and the designs have exactly that same joyful, unapologetically eye-catching energy as Motel Rocks. They run true to size and are particularly generous through the hip and bust.
Kitri — another brilliant London-based independent doing thoughtful, vintage-inflected dresses and separates with considerably more staying power than trend-led pieces. Their sizing is precise — I'd recommend using their dedicated size guide — and the quality easily justifies the higher price point for anyone looking to invest rather than buy and discard.

🎯 Never Guess Your Size Again — Try Tellar

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The Tellar Fashion Hub is also home to hundreds of honest, unsponsored posts covering everything from brand-by-brand fit guides to body shape dressing, seasonal best buys, and wardrobe strategy. Written by stylists. Always free. Never influenced by who's paying.