What Is Sizing Like at Pippa Holt?

Pippa Holt kaftans are made in one size that comfortably fits anyone from an XS to an XL, because they're cut boxy, straight and deliberately loose — so the real question isn't "what's my size?", it's "how much fabric do I want around me?" Every piece is hand-woven in Mexico on a backstrap loom, which means no two are identical and the fit is judged by the garment's width and length rather than any standard dress size. Once you understand that, buying one becomes far less daunting than the price tag might suggest.

I've styled a fair few clients into Pippa Holt over the years, and I'll be honest: the first time one landed in my studio I held it up and thought, "well, this'll either look like a chic Positano holiday or a fancy tablecloth." Reader, it was the former — but only because we measured properly first. Here's everything I've learned about getting it right.

How Pippa Holt Sizing Actually Works

Pippa Holt — founded in 2016 by the former British Vogue stylist of the same name — doesn't do S, M, L. Each kaftan is a one-off, woven by hand, and sized by its physical dimensions. The brand's own guidance is that pieces "comfortably fit those between a size XS and XL," which tells you the cut is forgiving rather than fitted.

The thing to watch is panel construction, because that's what changes the width:

Single-panel kaftans tend to measure around 60cm wide — narrower, neater, more body-skimming. Lovely if you're petite or prefer a slimmer drape.
Three-panel kaftans open out to roughly 75–82cm wide — that's the proper billowing, dramatic silhouette most people picture.
Length is sold as supermini, mini, midi and maxi — most styles sit around 90cm long for the shorter versions, going floor-length for the maxis.

So a single-panel mini and a three-panel maxi are wildly different garments despite both being "one size." My rule of thumb: if you're broader through the bust, hips or shoulders, or you simply like room to move, go three-panel. If you want something that reads as a sharp summer dress rather than a beach throw-on, single-panel is your friend.

Styling Tips From My Studio

The genius of a kaftan is also its trap — too much volume and you vanish. A few things I always tell clients:

Cinch it. A slim tan or raffia belt at the waist turns "what am I wearing?" into "where did you get that?" instantly.
Mind the length. A supermini over wide-leg linen trousers is my favourite trick for women who don't fancy bare legs but want the print.
Let it be the hero. These prints are loud and gorgeous, so keep jewellery minimal and shoes flat — a leather sandal or espadrille, nothing fussy.

My own kaftan fail, for the record: I once sized into the most voluminous three-panel maxi for a wedding in Mallorca, didn't belt it, and a gust off the sea turned me into a human spinnaker. Lesson learned — drama is wonderful, control is better.

Where to Shop the Look: My Brand Edit

Pippa Holt sits at the luxury, collector end (pieces run from roughly €578 to over €1,000), so here's where I'd look across every budget for the same artisanal, resort-ready energy.

High Street

Monsoon — the high street's strongest hand at embellished, embroidered kaftans and beach cover-ups; their cotton resort pieces are genuinely good value.
Boden — reliable cotton kaftans and beach dresses in punchy prints, generously cut and machine-washable.
Anthropologie — for that boho, hand-finished feel with tassels and contrast trims, often at the more elevated end of the high street.
Seasalt Cornwall — relaxed, breathable organic cotton in a coastal palette; perfect if you want understated over loud.
Hush — easy, throw-on summer silhouettes with a slightly festival, off-duty mood.
Mango — consistently nails the affordable embroidered and crochet resort piece each summer.
Marks & Spencer — quietly excellent beach kaftans and cover-ups, brilliantly priced and cut for real bodies.
Phase Eight — embellished, occasion-leaning kaftans if you want something for a holiday dinner rather than the pool.

Premium

Sézane — the French label's embroidered cotton blouses and dresses share Pippa Holt's artisanal, hand-touched detailing.
Toast — natural fabrics, generous easy cuts and a slow-fashion ethos that's the closest premium match to Pippa Holt's spirit.
Ba&sh — floaty, bohemian Parisian pieces that drape beautifully and belt well.

Luxury / Designer

Max Mara — for elevated, beautifully cut resort separates in pure cotton and linen.
Ralph Lauren — the embroidered, prairie-meets-resort kaftan is practically a house signature.

Two Independents Worth Knowing

Pink City Prints — a small British label doing hand-block-printed cotton in India; the same artisanal storytelling as Pippa Holt at a gentler price.
Hannah Artwear — a cult independent crafting limited-run silk and cotton kaftans, beloved by the resort set and genuinely collectable.

Find Your Exact Fit in Seconds

Because Pippa Holt is sized by measurement, this is exactly the kind of brand where a quick check saves you an expensive return — and that's where Tellar comes in.

Tellar — The UK's Leading Sizing Tool

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Measure once — using bust, waist, hip, or simply your existing size in a brand you already own.
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size in any brand — COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket and more.
Always free, no downloads needed — it works right in your browser.

Get your size at tellar.co.uk →

More From the Tellar Fashion Hub

The Tellar Fashion Hub is a library stacked with free posts from our top stylists. Honest, unbiased, independent and always free — style advice, top picks and the best brands, all in one place.

Buy the kaftan you love, belt it with confidence, and let the print do the talking. Just measure first — your future self, mid-holiday, will thank you.

— Ella Blake, Senior Stylist, Tellar