What Is Sizing Like at Santa Brands? Your Complete Guide

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

Santa Brands runs small and sizes very limited — most pieces come in just two size options (XS/S and M/L, or an all-encompassing one-size), so getting your measurements right before you invest is absolutely essential. This is not your average brand where you can guess from your usual high street size and cross your fingers. Trust me, I learned that the hard way with a feather-trimmed rhinestone top that arrived looking like a very glamorous bandeau. Not quite the Studio 54 moment I was going for.

Who Is Santa Brands?

If you haven't come across Santa Brands yet, where have you been? This Ukrainian luxury label, founded by Iana Stanislavka, has taken Instagram by storm — and honestly, it's not hard to see why. Think bold rhinestone embellishments, ostrich feather trims, sheer chainmail and body-skimming silhouettes that draw heavily from Y2K and Studio 54 glamour. It's unapologetically dramatic, unashamedly sexy and genuinely unlike anything you'll find on a standard UK high street. Pieces are stocked by Farfetch, Flannels and a handful of high-end boutiques, so this is firmly in the luxury-occasion end of the market.

How Does Santa Brands Size Its Clothing?

Here's the thing you really need to know: Santa Brands does not follow conventional sizing conventions. Rather than offering a traditional XS through XL run, the brand typically offers pieces in:

XS/S — generally fits UK sizes 6–10 (roughly US 2–6, EU 34–38)
M/L — generally fits UK sizes 12–16 (roughly US 8–12, EU 40–44)
One-size — variable; often cut for a UK 8–12 frame

Because the cuts are so body-con and structured — think mesh maxi dresses with very little stretch, or chainmail mini skirts that hug every curve — there is almost no room for error. If you are between sizes, always size up. The garments are designed to be fitted, but you should still be able to breathe and move with confidence.

Key Measurements You Need Before You Buy

Given the limited sizing, I'd strongly recommend getting a tape measure out before ordering anything from Santa Brands. The three measurements that matter most are:

Bust — especially important for their corset tops and mesh dresses
Waist — many pieces have defined waistlines or high-waisted cuts
Hips — the mini skirts and maxi dresses leave absolutely no wiggle room here

Anything with feather or rhinestone detailing is also likely to have very little give, so don't rely on stretch to save you. When in doubt: size up.

Which Pieces Are the Most Size-Sensitive?

Mesh maxi dresses — sheer and body-skimming, these highlight fit immediately. A size too small will pull and bunch; too large and you lose the silhouette entirely.
Chainmail and crystal tops — these have zero elasticity. You need to match your measurements precisely, as there is genuinely no give.
Mini skirts — the high-waisted styles in particular sit right on the natural waist, so if your waist-to-hip ratio is pronounced, opt for the larger option.
Feather-trimmed pieces — the feathers themselves don't affect fit, but the base garment beneath usually does. Treat these as body-con and size accordingly.

How Does Santa Brands Compare to Other Brands I Know?

In terms of sizing philosophy, Santa Brands is closer to a French or Eastern European cut — lean, minimal ease allowance, and built with a slimmer silhouette in mind. If you normally wear, say, a UK 12 in Zara or Mango, you would likely take the M/L option at Santa Brands. If you're a confident UK 8 in ASOS or Cos, the XS/S should work well for you — provided your measurements align.

High Street Alternatives If the Price Tag Is Eye-Watering

Let's be honest — Santa Brands is not cheap. A single dress can set you back £1,000 to £2,000, and even the smaller pieces are in the hundreds. If you love the aesthetic but want something more accessible, these brands offer a similar party-ready energy at a much kinder price:

River Island — brilliant for rhinestone and sequin party pieces that genuinely look more expensive than they are. Their occasion dresses have improved enormously in recent seasons.
ASOS — the breadth of their party range is unmatched at the high street level. Search their embellished and feather categories for Santa Brands-adjacent pieces.
Topshop (now online via ASOS) — the revived Topshop label has been producing some seriously good occasion options, including feather-trim tops and mesh styles.
H&M — don't overlook them for more affordable rhinestone and mesh eveningwear, particularly their premium and trend-led ranges.
Urban Outfitters — their going-out range often captures the Y2K glamour that Santa Brands is rooted in. Great for sparkly mesh minis and sheer layering pieces.
All Saints — if you want the drama without the full commitment to rhinestones, All Saints do excellent bodycon and sheer pieces with a more editorial edge.
Warehouse — consistently underrated for party dressing. Their sequin and metallic pieces in particular offer a surprisingly premium finish for the price.

Independent Labels Worth Knowing

For something a little more left-field — the kind of brands your friends won't immediately recognise — these two are worth bookmarking:

Retrofete — an American label but widely available in the UK via Farfetch and Wolf & Badger. Their sequin slip dresses are direct Santa Brands competitors at a slightly lower price point, and their sizing is more conventional (XS–XL).
Louisa Ballou — a London-based designer whose body-con dresses and chainmail-inspired pieces have the same heat as Santa Brands but with a more bohemian British twist. Stocked by a handful of UK boutiques and well worth the search.

Premium & Luxury Alternatives

If you're already spending at the Santa Brands level and want to explore comparable options with more size range:

Galvan London — sophisticated evening pieces with wider size availability and exceptional fabrication. Their liquid-satin slip dresses are a masterclass in occasion dressing.
16Arlington — feathers, metallics and bold silhouettes are this London label's entire personality. Better size range than Santa Brands and genuinely stunning pieces.
Valentino — if you're already at this price point, you may as well consider Valentino's party and occasion range, which offers proper size grading and an unmatched luxury finish.

My Final Sizing Verdict on Santa Brands

Santa Brands is an incredibly exciting, genuinely statement-making label — but it demands respect in the sizing department. Measure yourself, accept the limited XS/S or M/L options as the reality of the brand, and do not try to squeeze into something smaller in hope of stretching it out. These pieces are built to fit a specific shape perfectly, and when they do, the effect is extraordinary. When they don't — well, let's just say no amount of rhinestones will save you.

And if you are even slightly unsure of your size across brands — Santa Brands included — this is exactly what Tellar was built for.

Never Guess Your Size Again — Use Tellar

Sizing varies enormously across brands — and with luxury labels like Santa Brands offering such limited size options, getting it wrong is an expensive mistake. Tellar.co.uk is the UK's leading free sizing tool, matching your exact measurements to 1,500+ brands instantly.

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Plus, explore the Tellar Fashion Hub — a library of free style guides, honest brand reviews and expert advice from our stylists. Independent. Unsponsored. Always free.