What Is Sizing Like at Nicholas the Label?

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

Nicholas the Label sizes smaller than you'd expect for UK shoppers — the brand uses US sizing, which means you need to go up at least two sizes from your usual UK number, and for the more fitted styles, potentially more. It catches people out constantly, and it's absolutely the most common mistake I see when clients order from this brand.

I'll be honest — I nearly made the error myself the first time I came across Nicholas. I'd spotted one of their silk midi dresses in a magazine (the kind of effortlessly glamorous thing that makes you stop flicking) and ordered what I'd normally consider my size. It arrived and I couldn't get it past my hips. Not because Nicholas cuts small exactly, but because they size in US numbers with an Australian label heritage — and unless you know to convert, it's a genuinely easy mistake to make. Once I got the sizing sorted, it was a completely different story. The dress was extraordinary.

About Nicholas the Label — A Quick Brand Background

NICHOLAS was founded in 2009 by Irene Nicholas, originally in Melbourne and now operating from both Melbourne and Los Angeles. The brand is built around a very specific kind of woman: confident, occasion-ready, not interested in following trends but absolutely interested in looking stunning. The aesthetic sits somewhere between relaxed Australian glamour and elevated LA polish — think fluid silk dresses, body-conscious gowns, bold prints, and tailoring with a sensual edge.

It's primarily an occasionwear brand, which matters for sizing. These aren't casual weekend pieces cut with comfort in mind. They're designed to fit close to the body, drape beautifully, and make a statement at a wedding, event, or dinner. That sculptural approach to design means that getting your size right is non-negotiable.

The Key Sizing Issue: US Numbers vs UK Sizes

This is the crux of everything with Nicholas. The brand sizes in US numbers — 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 — which run approximately two sizes below their UK equivalent. So your starting point is:

If you're a UK 8, you'll likely need a US 4
If you're a UK 10, you're looking at a US 6
If you're a UK 12, start with a US 8
If you're a UK 14, try a US 10

But — and this is important — that's just the baseline conversion. Fitted dresses, bodycon styles, and anything with a structured waist or close-cut bodice can run even tighter. On those styles, I'd always look at the actual measurement chart rather than trusting the size number alone.

Ella's tip: Nicholas dresses are particularly fitted through the bust and waist. If you're fuller in the bust or have a more prominent hip, use your largest measurement to determine your size — not your waist. It's far easier to take in a waist seam than to undo a split seam at the hip.

Nicholas the Label Size Conversion Table

NICHOLAS (US)AU / NZUKITALYFRANCEALPHA04436–3832XS2663834XS4884036S610104238S–M812124440M1014144642M–L1216164844L1418185046XL1620205248XL

Always cross-reference this table with your actual measurements rather than relying on the number alone. Nicholas publishes a detailed measurement guide on their website, and it's genuinely worth using — especially for anything you're buying for a specific occasion where you need it to fit perfectly on the day.

How Different Nicholas Pieces Fit

The brand covers a lot of ground — silk minis, floor-length gowns, tailored separates, bodysuits — and the fit varies meaningfully across styles:

Fitted crepe and techno dresses: These are the pieces most likely to run small. The fabric has minimal stretch and the cut is precise. Rent the Runway reviewers consistently flag these styles as tight at the bust and waist — sizing up one step from your standard conversion is sensible.
Silk and satin dresses: Generally align with the standard US-to-UK conversion. The fluid drape is more forgiving than structured fabrications, but the bodice is still cut close. Measure your bust carefully.
Wrap and tie styles: The most forgiving in the range. Drawstrings and wrap closures give you genuine flexibility, so most customers find the standard size conversion works perfectly here.
Tailored trousers and blazers: Cut slim but fairly true to the conversion size. Go up if you have broader hips or a fuller seat — the waist can be taken in, but the hip seams have very little ease.
Midi and maxi gowns: Check the bodice measurement first and foremost. Nicholas is known for beautiful structured tops on longer silhouettes — if the bodice doesn't fit, the whole dress won't work.

Where to Buy Nicholas in the UK

Nicholas isn't as widely stocked in the UK as it deserves to be, which is part of what makes it such a discovery when you find it. REVOLVE carries a good selection and ships to the UK regularly. Matches Fashion has stocked the brand, as has Selfridges. The brand's own website (nicholasthelabel.com) ships internationally — sizes are listed in US numbers, so keep your conversion handy. Returns are accepted, which takes the sting out of the sizing guesswork.

Budget-wise, expect to pay £250–£600 for dresses and £300–£800 for gowns. It's a genuine investment — but Nicholas dresses are the kind you wear to every big occasion for years and still get compliments on.

Great Alternatives — Same Vibe, Different Budget

Nicholas occupies a very specific space: elevated occasionwear with a relaxed glamour to it. Here are my picks across every budget that capture a similar energy, all chosen for their actual credentials in this category:

HIGH STREET & ACCESSIBLE

Coast — Hands down one of the best high street options for event and occasion dressing. They consistently nail the kind of elevated, feminine silhouettes that Nicholas does at a fraction of the price. Sizing is generous and inclusive.
Monsoon — Underrated for printed silk-feel occasion dresses. Beautiful fabrics, great midi lengths, and the sort of print work that stands out in a room. Particularly strong for weddings and summer events.
French Connection — Excellent for body-conscious dresses with a sophisticated edge. Their occasion range punches above its price point and the sizing is reliable.
River Island — Surprisingly strong for event dressing, particularly in the premium tiers of their range. Bold colours, structured silhouettes, and good fit across sizes.
Anthropologie — A brilliant pick for the more bohemian, floaty side of Nicholas's aesthetic. Beautiful prints, unusual fabrics, and a genuine sense of considered design.
Mango — Very solid for elevated occasion basics — silk-feel slip dresses, structured minis, and tailored separates at accessible prices. The quality has improved significantly in recent seasons.
LK Bennett — The go-to for smart, polished occasion dressing. Strong on midi lengths and classic silhouettes; particularly good if you want something structured and refined rather than fashion-forward.

PREMIUM MID-RANGE

Reiss — Consistently excellent for elevated evening and occasion dressing. Clean lines, good fabrication, and cuts that genuinely flatter. One of the most reliable names at this price point for special occasions.
Mint Velvet — Brilliant for the more relaxed, fluid side of occasion dressing — beautiful printed silk-feel midis and relaxed gowns that have a lot in common with Nicholas's easier, more wearable pieces.
Claudie Pierlot — French brand with a playful, feminine take on occasion dressing. Gorgeous prints, considered silhouettes, and a distinctly Parisian sensibility that feels close to Nicholas's dual Melbourne/LA glamour.

LUXURY & DESIGNER

Zimmermann — The most obvious Australian luxury comparison to Nicholas. Both brands share a DNA of feminine, occasion-driven design with stunning print work and an effortless glamour. Zimmermann is the step up if budget allows.
Self-Portrait — British brand known for heavily embellished and structured occasion dresses that sit in a similar price bracket to Nicholas. A favourite for weddings and black-tie events.
Roland Mouret — For the structured, body-conscious end of Nicholas's offering. Impeccably tailored gowns and midi dresses with a sculptural quality that feels like the next level up.

INDEPENDENT & UNDER THE RADAR

Shona Joy — Another Australian brand, and honestly one of the most underappreciated names in women's occasionwear. Beautifully tailored silhouettes, elegant silk pieces, and a similar relaxed-glamour sensibility to Nicholas. The brand ships to the UK and is a genuine find for anyone who loves the Nicholas aesthetic but wants something a bit different. Sizing is in AU numbers — refer to the conversion chart.
Aje — An Australian powerhouse that has been quietly building a global following and deserves far more attention in the UK. Think structured linen, sculptural tailoring, and occasion pieces with genuine artistry behind them. Different in feel to Nicholas — more architectural — but equally stunning for events where you want to stand out. UK shipping available; sizing runs AU.

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