What Is Sizing Like at REMAIN Birger Christensen? A Stylist's Honest Guide

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

REMAIN Birger Christensen runs broadly true to size using European sizing, but the brand's use of structured, non-stretch fabrics — particularly across its leather and tailored ranges — means that if you're between sizes, you should always size up. This is a brand built on precision fit, and there's very little give in the fabric to save you if you misjudge it.

I'll be honest: the first time I ordered from REMAIN I completely underestimated how unforgiving that leather is. I sized my usual EU36 in the Lynn leather trousers and they looked incredible in the mirror — right up until I tried to sit down. Rookie mistake. Sized up to a 38 and they were perfect: sleek, structured, and frankly one of the best things in my wardrobe. Lesson learned. Measure first, romanticise later.

Understanding REMAIN's Sizing System

REMAIN is a Copenhagen-based label and uses European sizing throughout — there are no S/M/L labels here, which is actually quite refreshing in terms of clarity. The brand was founded by Denise Christensen in 2018 as the quieter, more understated sibling to ROTATE, and that ethos extends directly to the fit. Where ROTATE loves drama and volume, REMAIN is about clean lines, architectural cuts, and clothes that look effortless rather than engineered.

The size range typically runs from EU 34 to EU 44, covering UK 6 to UK 16. Here's the conversion you'll need:

EU SizeUK SizeUS SizeBust (cm)Waist (cm)Hips (cm)346280618736848465913810688699540128927399421410967710344161210081107

Sizing by Garment Category

REMAIN is not a one-size-fits-all situation, and I'd be doing you a disservice if I left it at "true to size." Here's how each key category actually fits in reality:

Leather trousers & leather pants: REMAIN's signature Lynn leather trousers are cut slim and high-waisted with zero stretch. Selfridges lists them as true to size, and for many women that holds — but if your hips or thighs are fuller, or you're between sizes at the waist, go up one. They soften and mould slightly with wear, but not enough to rescue a size too small.
Leather jackets & blazers: These are typically cut with a slightly relaxed or boxy fit, which is part of the aesthetic. Most women will find their true EU size works here, though if you have broader shoulders or like to layer a thicker knit underneath, size up.
Knit dresses & ribbed styles: REMAIN's Joy knit dress is a fan favourite, and this is genuinely true to size — the rib has enough stretch to accommodate a normal range of body shapes. It's forgiving and flattering in equal measure.
Midi & structured dresses: The brand's woven dresses in cotton, wool, or structured fabric are cut closer to the body through the waist. If you carry width through the hips or bust, size up. These are not forgiving of a tight fit.
Tailored trousers & suit separates: Generally true to size, but with a high-rise cut that can feel snug at the waist. Always check the rise measurement alongside your waist if you're petite in the torso.
Outerwear & coats: REMAIN's coats are designed to sit over knitwear and layers, so the fit is intentionally generous. Stick to your true size. If anything, some styles can look a touch swamped on a more petite frame, so consider going down if you're under 5ft 4".

My Honest Styling Verdict

REMAIN is one of those labels where the clothes look deceptively simple on the hanger and absolutely transformative on the body — when the fit is right. The key is understanding that this is a brand built on investment dressing. These are not throwaway fast-fashion pieces; they're clothes you buy carefully and keep for years. That means getting the size right is worth the extra minute of measuring.

Proportionally, REMAIN suits women who are comfortable with a clean, unfussy silhouette. The leather pieces in particular reward a confident approach to dressing — they're not trying to flatter in the conventional sense, they're trying to look architecturally brilliant. Pair the Lynn leather trousers with an oversized knit and simple ankle boots and you'll understand immediately why this brand has such a devoted following.

For petite women, I'd keep an eye on trouser leg lengths (they can run long) and opt for the cropped jacket styles which will avoid overwhelming your frame. For curvier women, the stretch-knit styles are genuinely the sweet spot — flattering, wearable, and part of the brand's best-sellers for good reason.

Where to Shop If You Love the REMAIN Aesthetic

REMAIN sits at the premium end of the market (leather trousers start around £350), and while they're worth it, they're not a spontaneous purchase for most of us. Here are brands worth exploring across different budgets if you love that clean Scandi-minimalist sensibility:

High Street Picks:

COS — The obvious spiritual sibling to REMAIN on the high street. Structured tailoring, minimal palettes, excellent leather-look trousers in season. Consistently well cut for the price point.
Whistles — Great for the clean-line blazers and structured trousers that mirror REMAIN's tailored pieces. Particularly reliable on quality for investment buys under £150.
Massimo Dutti — Superb leather and suede pieces at a fraction of the designer price tag. Their leather trousers are a legitimate REMAIN alternative and the quality is genuinely impressive.
Me&Em — British brand doing excellent work in the structured minimalism space. Their knitwear in particular rivals REMAIN's at a much more approachable price.
Reiss — Reliable for clean-cut tailored separates, blazers, and occasionally brilliant outerwear. A go-to when you want something that photographs like a designer piece without the designer price tag.
All Saints — If it's the leather you're after, All Saints is the high street answer. Their leather jackets and leather-look trousers hit a very similar note aesthetically and hold up beautifully season after season.
Jigsaw — Underrated and increasingly brilliant. Jigsaw's autumn and winter tailoring has been genuinely exceptional in recent seasons, and their colour palettes align closely with REMAIN's earthy, neutral ethos.
Hobbs — For structured outerwear and tailored coats, Hobbs delivers a quality that punches above its price point. Great if REMAIN's coat range appeals but the budget doesn't quite stretch.

Independent & Left-Field Picks:

Ahlvar Gallery — A Stockholm-based indie label that barely gets the attention it deserves in the UK. Think clean Scandinavian minimalism, wearable but considered silhouettes, and a price point that sits between high street and designer. Very much in the REMAIN spirit.
Nué Notes — Copenhagen-born label producing beautifully made, understated pieces with that same quiet confidence REMAIN embodies. Their blazers and tailored separates are worth every penny and give you genuine Copenhagen wardrobe credentials.

Premium Options:

Toteme — The Swedish giant of quiet luxury. If you love REMAIN's minimal aesthetic and want to go further up the quality ladder, Toteme is your natural next step. Exceptional leather trousers, beautiful knitwear, and a colour palette that essentially never goes wrong.
Theory — Excellent for structured blazers and tailored separates in quality fabrics. American brand, but the sensibility is very Scandi-adjacent and the fit is consistently reliable.

Luxury & Designer Options:

The Row — If REMAIN is your entry point into investment minimalism, The Row is the destination. Achingly good construction, completely quiet, and absolutely nothing that will date. For when budget truly isn't the object.
Bottega Veneta — For the leather pieces particularly. There's something in the architectural approach to garment construction that aligns beautifully with what REMAIN does at a lower price point.

Never Guess Your Size in REMAIN Again

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