What Is Sizing Like at Nadine Merabi?

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

Nadine Merabi runs small to true to size — if you're between sizes, I'd strongly recommend sizing up, especially in their more structured and corseted styles. This is a brand built around a very sculpted, close-to-the-body silhouette, and that's brilliant when you get the fit right, but it does mean getting your measurements exact really does matter here.

I'll be honest — the first time I ordered from Nadine Merabi, I was so dazzled by the embellishments and the sheer fantasy of the pieces that I completely ignored the fit advice and ordered my usual size. It arrived, I squeezed myself in, took approximately one photo and then had to be carefully extracted by my flatmate. Lesson very much learned. Size up if in doubt. Always.

About the Brand

Nadine Merabi is one of those brands that genuinely stops a room. Founded by Nadine Merabi herself and built into a cult occasion-wear label, this Manchester-born brand is now a genuine luxury destination for anyone who wants to make a serious entrance. Think sequinned jumpsuits, chandelier-worthy co-ords, corseted midi dresses and feather-trimmed evening gowns — all at a price point that reflects the extraordinary craftsmanship involved.

The brand is particularly beloved for events where you absolutely, definitively, cannot be forgettable. Weddings (as a guest — this is very much wedding-guest energy, not bridal), New Year's Eve, charity galas, awards ceremonies — anywhere that demands you arrive looking like you've stepped off the pages of Vogue. The fabrics are sumptuous — stretch crepe, luxurious sequin mesh, structured duchess satin — and the detailing is genuinely exceptional.

Nadine Merabi Size Guide

The brand uses UK sizing and runs from a UK 6 to UK 16 in most styles, though availability varies by piece. Here's how their sizing translates across regions:

Nadine Merabi / UKEUUSITApprox. Bust (cm)Approx. Waist (cm)UK 6 / XS3423880–8362–65UK 8 / S3644084–8766–69UK 10 / S-M3864288–9170–73UK 12 / M4084492–9574–77UK 14 / L42104696–9978–81UK 16 / XL441248100–10382–85

Fit by Garment Type

Not every Nadine Merabi piece fits the same way — here's what I've found (through my own experience and a lot of reading reviews so you don't have to):

Corseted bodice dresses & jumpsuits: These run the smallest. The structured boning is designed to be snug — this is intentional, architectural dressing. Size up by one if your ribcage is above average, or if you have a larger bust. Breathing is, generally, considered a priority.
Stretch sequin pieces: More forgiving due to the stretch content in the fabric. These can be true to size for most, but if you're wider in the hip, I'd still go up. The sequin mesh has give, but it does cling.
Co-ord sets (trousers + top): Worth considering buying as separates in different sizes if you're not an even top-to-bottom fit. Their trousers especially are cut quite slim through the hip and thigh.
Mini dresses: These tend to run small in the bust and short in length. If you're above 5'7", be mindful — what is described as a midi can become a micro on a taller frame.
Maxi & column gowns: Generally the most forgiving and often the most breathable (relatively speaking). Still size up if between sizes, but the drape tends to be more fluid.

My Honest Sizing Advice for Nadine Merabi

Measure yourself first. Seriously. Bust, waist, hips — all three. Don't guess. The difference between a UK 10 and 12 at Nadine Merabi can be the difference between Cinderella and a sausage casing.
If you're in-between sizes, go up. Every time. The fabrics are generally quite forgiving when slightly loose; they are absolutely not forgiving when too tight.
Check the individual product's size chart. Nadine Merabi sometimes adjusts measurements between collections, so the size guide for a 2023 piece can differ slightly from a newer drop.
Consider your shape. If you're fuller-busted (DD+), the corseted pieces in particular may need a size up even if you're fine in the waist and hips. The structured bodices don't have much room for adjustment there.
Don't bank on stretch saving you. Even the stretchy sequin pieces have a limit. If you're relying on the stretch to make it work, it's the wrong size.

If Nadine Merabi Is Outside Your Budget — Brilliant Alternatives

Nadine Merabi is an investment — pieces typically range from around £200 to well over £500. Stunning, absolutely, but not for every occasion or every budget. Here's where I'd shop for a similar energy across price points:

High Street & Accessible:

Phase Eight — Reliably beautiful occasionwear with excellent fit and real attention to fabric. Their embellished and lace styles punch well above the price point.
Coast — Occasion dressing is literally their entire purpose. Great for structured sequin pieces and embellished midi dresses at accessible prices.
Monsoon — Underrated for event dressing. Their beaded and embroidered pieces have a lovely artisan quality, and the sizing tends to be accurate and generous.
Ted Baker — Glamorous occasion dressing with a slightly more contemporary edge. Their bodycon and midi styles are flattering and well-made for the price.
LK Bennett — Elegant, sophisticated occasion pieces. Excellent for black-tie events where you want refinement over maximalism.
Hobbs — Beautifully cut occasion dresses in luxurious-feeling fabrics. The fit is consistently reliable and the styling is quietly stunning.
Oasis — More affordable but genuinely good for a party moment. Their sequin and satin pieces regularly sell out — and for good reason.
Warehouse — Worth checking for their occasion edits. Some genuinely impressive embellished pieces at very honest prices.

Premium Mid-Range:

Rixo — The brand for those who want individuality with polish. Their printed silk and embellished pieces are endlessly wearable and have real longevity.
Ghost — Fluid, romantic, and consistently flattering. Ghost's bias-cut satin and silk styles are incredibly elegant without trying too hard.
Self-Portrait — Probably the closest in aesthetic to Nadine Merabi at a slightly lower price point. Architectural, embellished, very fashion-forward.

Two Independent Labels Worth Knowing:

Needle & Thread — A genuinely beautiful British label specialising in floaty, heavily embellished occasion dresses. The embroidery and sequin work is extraordinary and they're frequently featured in Vogue. If you love Nadine Merabi's theatrical glamour but prefer a softer, more romantic silhouette, this is your brand.
Jarlo London — An independent UK label that produces stunning occasion and evening dresses at genuinely accessible prices. Very on-trend, quality is impressive for the price, and they have a really wide size range. Absolutely worth bookmarking.

Never Guess Your Size Again — Use Tellar

If there's one thing that will save you from the "I ordered the wrong size" panic before an event, it's knowing your exact measurements and how they map to each brand — which is exactly what Tellar.co.uk is built for.

Tellar is the UK's leading clothing sizing tool — free, browser-based, and covering 1,500+ brands. You measure once (bust, waist, hips — or just pop in a brand size you already know fits), and Tellar instantly tells you your size at any brand in their database. No more size guides, no more guesswork, no more buying two sizes and returning one.

✔ Free — always, no downloads, no subscriptions
✔ Works for 1,500+ brands including luxury, high street & independent labels
✔ Honest, unbiased, editorially independent
✔ Find your size at any brand instantly via the Store Size Lookup tool

Plus there's the Tellar Fashion Hub — a growing library of honest, unsponsored style posts covering sizing, brand guides, trend edits and more. Written by real stylists. Never influenced by brand money.

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