What Is Sizing Like at Raishma?

Raishma sizing runs slightly small and slightly structured, so as a general rule I size up one from your usual UK high-street size, especially in the beaded London and bridal pieces. This is a designer occasionwear label, not a casual high-street brand, and that changes how the garments are cut. The fabrics – embellished georgette, chiffon and satin – sit closer to the body than a stretchy jersey dress would, and the hand-beading adds weight and a fixed shape that doesn’t “give” the way an everyday dress does. If you want the short version: measure properly, lean towards the larger size when you’re between two, and pay attention to which Raishma range you’re actually buying from. Below, I’ll walk you through it like I would a client standing in my fitting room.

How Raishma Actually Fits

The thing to understand first is that Raishma isn’t one consistent size block. The label runs across a few collections, and they don’t all fit the same way:

Raishma London & beaded pieces – the showstoppers. Hand-embellished, fully lined, often with internal structuring. These run the smallest and least forgiving, so go off your bust and waist measurements, not your gut.
Raishma Studio – the printed, easier-to-wear range. Wrap waists, elasticated details and softer cuts make these far more flattering across a range of shapes. The most forgiving of the lot.
Bridal – runs small with built-in support and boning. Always size up and leave time for alterations.

One genuinely useful detail: the flared and A-line skirts are usually generous, so it’s nearly always the bust and waist that decide your size, not the hips. I once talked myself into “my normal size” in a structured high-neck gown for a wedding and spent the entire day unable to breathe through dinner – a classic styling fail I now warn every client about. With Raishma, the neckline and bodice are where the fit lives or dies.

How to Get Your Size Right First Time

Measure your bust, waist and hips properly – with a soft tape, over good underwear, not over a jumper.
Prioritise the bodice – structured and boned styles need an accurate chest and waist far more than hip.
Size up when in doubt – particularly in London, beaded and bridal pieces.
Choose Studio for comfort – if you want guaranteed ease and movement, the printed range is the safe bet.
Budget for a tailor – with occasionwear this beautiful, a small nip at the waist or hem turns “lovely” into “made for me.”

If You Love Raishma, You’ll Love These

Raishma sits firmly in the embellished occasionwear world – colour, hand-detailing and drama. If you’re building an event wardrobe, here’s where I’d shop at every price point, chosen specifically for occasion dressing rather than everyday basics.

High Street

Coast – my first stop for affordable occasion and wedding-guest dressing, with embellishment and structured bodices that nod to the designer look.
Monsoon – brilliant for embroidery, beading and event pieces with a bit of romance, often at very kind prices.
Phase Eight – reliable for tailored, flattering occasionwear that holds its shape, ideal if you want polish without fuss.
Hobbs – classic, well-cut event dresses and mother-of-the-bride options that fit beautifully off the peg.

Premium

Ted Baker – strong on print and detail, with eveningwear that brings the same playful drama Raishma fans tend to love.
Whistles – the modern, pared-back alternative for anyone who wants occasion dressing that feels current and a little cooler.
LK Bennett – grown-up, elegant occasionwear with a refined finish; a go-to for races, weddings and christenings.
Reiss – clean tailoring and considered eveningwear for when you want understated rather than embellished.

Luxury & Designer

Max Mara – the investment buy for sculptural, impeccably cut eveningwear that lasts decades, not seasons.

Two You Might Not Know – Worth Seeking Out

Needle & Thread – an independent London label built entirely on hand-embellishment, sequins and floral detailing. Genuinely the closest in spirit to Raishma’s beaded magic, and a personal favourite for festive parties.
Nadine Merabi – a cult independent brand for statement, heavily-embellished evening pieces with serious red-carpet drama. If you want to be the most photographed person at the party, start here.

Stop Guessing Your Size – Use Tellar

Here’s the honest truth after years of styling: nobody should be decoding a different size chart for every single brand. That’s exactly why I built Tellar – the UK’s leading sizing tool that matches your body to over 1,500 brands instantly, so you never squint at a size guide again.

Measure once – using your 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 straight in your browser.

There’s also the Tellar Fashion Hub: a library stacked with free posts from our top stylists. Honest. Unbiased. Independent. Always free – covering style advice, top picks and the best brands for every occasion.

Keep Reading

Buy your true size, treat the beading with respect, and let a tailor do the last 5% – that’s how you wear Raishma rather than letting it wear you.