What Is Sizing Like at Norman Kamali? Your Complete UK Guide

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

Norman Kamali runs in US sizing, which means UK shoppers typically need to go one to two sizes up from their usual UK label — a UK 10 is broadly a US 6 — and the brand cuts close to the body, so getting that conversion right is genuinely important before you checkout.

I'll be honest with you: I discovered this the hard way. I spotted a jersey wrap dress in a sale a couple of years back, ordered in a hurry and sized myself as I would in a UK brand without a second thought. Two weeks later the dress arrived and I couldn't get it over my hips. Back it went. Second attempt — right size, right conversion — and it turned out to be one of the most flattering pieces I've ever owned. That dress has been to three weddings and a fortieth birthday party and still looks brilliant. The lesson? Norman Kamali is absolutely worth the effort, but always, always check the size chart before you hit buy.

The Brand in Brief

Norman Kamali is a New York-based designer label with serious fashion heritage — it's been running since the 1970s and has a cult following built around a handful of genuinely iconic pieces. The Sleeping Bag Coat is probably the most famous, but the jersey dresses, bodysuits, swimwear and athletic-inspired separates are what I keep coming back to. The whole aesthetic is confident, body-conscious and quietly architectural. It doesn't do shapeless. It doesn't do boxy. Every piece is designed to work with your silhouette.

For UK shoppers, the brand is primarily available online through its own website and a handful of international stockists, which makes understanding the sizing before you order absolutely critical — international returns aren't free, and nobody wants to be dealing with customs paperwork twice.

US to UK Size Conversion

Here's a clean conversion table to work from. Use your actual measurements alongside this — don't just go off your usual UK label size, as fit varies by style.

UK SizeUS SizeEU SizeBust (cm)Waist (cm)Hips (cm)62 / XS3480–8261–6386–8884 / XS–S3684–8665–6790–92106 / S3888–9069–7194–96128 / M4092–9473–7598–1001410 / M–L4296–9877–79102–1041612 / L44100–10281–83106–1081814 / XL46104–10685–87110–112

My advice: take your measurements first — bust, waist and hips — and compare directly against Norman Kamali's own size chart on their website. Specific styles can vary, and your measurements are always more reliable than a gut instinct about your label size.

Garment by Garment — What to Expect

Jersey Dresses & Bodysuits

This is the brand's heartland, and where the sizing is most consistent. The fabric is stretchy, so there's some forgiveness — but the cut assumes a fairly proportional figure. If you carry more through the hip than the bust, size to your hips and accept that the fabric will drape softly across the bust rather than sitting flush. I'd never size down hoping for a tighter look; the jersey is designed to sit flush to your shape naturally, and going too small just looks uncomfortable.

The Sleeping Bag Coat

An absolute icon — and thankfully the sizing is far more forgiving here because it's an oversized silhouette by design. A UK 10–12 will comfortably wear a US Small. If you're genuinely between sizes, go smaller; the puffed volume of the coat does a lot of work and you don't want to drown in it.

Swimwear

Size up. Every single time, no exceptions. Norman Kamali swimwear comes up small — the nylon-lycra blends have a tighter weave with less stretch than you'd expect, and the cuts tend to be high-waisted and structured. If you're generally a UK 12, try a US 10 (roughly equivalent to a UK 14) for a swimsuit that sits properly and looks intentional rather than squeezed. The one-pieces especially need room through the torso or they're genuinely uncomfortable to wear.

Trousers, Leggings & Athleisure

These are cut in an athletic, streamlined style — think premium athleisure rather than relaxed jersey trackpants. Size to your widest measurement (usually hips) and the waistband will sit correctly. The leggings in particular are beautifully made and worth sizing thoughtfully — they're not cheap and you want them to be right.

Practical Tips Before You Order

Norman Kamali shoots their campaigns on tall, lean models — the proportions look very different on a real body. Don't let that put you off. On curves, several of the jersey pieces are even more beautiful than in the editorial shots.
The brand does not offer free international returns for UK customers. Getting your size right first time saves real money and a customs headache.
Starting out with the brand? Begin with a jersey wrap or bodysuit — these will give you the best read on how Kamali's sizing sits on your specific body for future orders.
As a rough rule of thumb: US XS = UK 6–8, US S = UK 8–10, US M = UK 10–12, US L = UK 14, US XL = UK 16.
Check for stockists like Farfetch or Net-a-Porter who occasionally carry Kamali pieces — both offer UK returns which makes sizing experimentation far less stressful.

If You Love the Norman Kamali Aesthetic — Shop These Too

The Norman Kamali universe is specific: confident jersey, sculptural tailoring, body-conscious design with an athletic edge. Here's where else I'd point you if you love that language:

High Street & Mid-Market:

Reiss — Excellent body-con jersey and structured dresses with a similar clean, confident energy to Kamali. Consistent UK sizing throughout and excellent quality for the price point.
Whistles — Understated, beautifully cut womenswear with a similar NYC-cool reference point. Their jersey pieces in particular are worth seeking out. True to UK size.
Massimo Dutti — For the tailored, architectural side of the Kamali aesthetic. Elevated basics with genuinely superb cut and fabric. Runs true to European size.
Me&Em — A smart, polished British brand whose jersey pieces hold their own against labels at three times the price. Sizing is reliable UK throughout.
All Saints — For the darker, more edgy end of the Kamali spectrum. Jersey and washed fabrics in moody palettes, slightly relaxed fit but very similar body-forward design DNA.
Phase Eight — Particularly good for jersey occasion dresses that echo the Kamali wrap and draped silhouette. Accessible price point and reliably true to UK size.
Cos — If it's the minimalist, architectural Kamali pieces you're drawn to, Cos is a natural home for that aesthetic at high-street prices. Usually runs true to EU sizing.

Premium Tier:

Ted Baker — Beautiful draped, occasion-ready silhouettes with consistent UK sizing. If the wrap dress and fluid jersey is what you love about Kamali, Ted Baker consistently delivers.
Hobbs — For the polished, structured end of the Kamali range. Excellent quality suiting and jersey with a very wearable, confident approach to cut.

Independent Picks — Two Labels Worth Knowing:

Tove Studio — A London-based independent label producing exceptional jersey dresses and separates with a very similar body-conscious, thoughtfully cut ethos to Kamali. The quality is extraordinary. This is one of those brands you discover and then wonder how you never knew about it.
Cefinn — Founded by Samantha Cameron, this understated British brand makes some of the best-cut jersey and crepe pieces available at this price point. If you love the sleek, confident Kamali approach but want something made with a more British sensibility, Cefinn is a genuinely brilliant find.

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