What Is Sizing Like at Self Portrait?

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

Self Portrait runs true to UK sizing, but because the brand is built on close-fitting lace, structured boning and sculpted silhouettes, I always recommend sizing up if you're between sizes — especially across the bust or hips. That's the short answer. But there's quite a bit more nuance if you want to actually get your order right first time.

I've been recommending Self Portrait to clients for years — usually for weddings, gala dinners, or those moments when someone says "I want to look properly dressed." It's a brand that photographs spectacularly and holds its shape beautifully on the body. But I'll be honest: I've also watched people get their sizing badly wrong and be deeply disappointed when the dress arrives. So let me save you the hassle.

A Bit About the Brand

Self Portrait was founded in 2013 by Malaysian designer Han Chong and has become one of the go-to brands for occasion wear at the premium end of the market — without quite tipping into full luxury territory. The guiipure lace dresses, floral midi styles, and intricately embellished co-ords have been worn everywhere from Royal Ascot to London Fashion Week to celebrity weddings. The brand produces a lot of styles that are genuinely flattering on a range of body shapes, but it works best when the fit is spot on.

Self Portrait Size Guide

The brand operates in UK sizes 4 to 14, which broadly align with the following conversions. I've laid these out clearly so you can actually use them:

One thing I'd flag immediately: if you're an American shopping online, the US sizing at Self Portrait can feel slightly inconsistent depending on the retailer stocking it. Always go from your measurements rather than your usual US size number, and double-check you're looking at the UK brand's own size guide.

How Different Garment Types Fit

This is where it gets interesting — because Self Portrait isn't a one-size-fits-all kind of brand in terms of how individual pieces are cut.

Lace midi dresses — These are the brand's bread and butter and they tend to run fitted through the body. If you're curvy through the hip or have a larger bust, go up a size. The lace has minimal stretch, so there's very little give.
Floral chiffon dresses — These are more forgiving and generally run true to size. Floaty styles with elasticated or drawstring waists offer more flexibility and are usually more generous.
Structured mini dresses — Some of the more tailored mini styles include boning or internal structure. These are cut close to the body by design. I'd always recommend going true to size here but being very precise with your measurements before ordering.
Jumpsuits and co-ords — The jumpsuits can be tricky if you're tall or have a longer torso. The waist seam drops lower on taller frames. If you're 5'7" or above, double-check the length measurements. The co-ord sets (cropped top and skirt or trouser combinations) are generally easier to size because you can mix across sizes if needed.
Knitwear and casual pieces — Self Portrait has expanded into more relaxed knitwear and casual styles in recent seasons, and these typically run true to size with a slightly relaxed fit. No need to size up here.

Tips From My Experience Styling Clients in Self Portrait

I styled a client last autumn who needed something for a black-tie wedding — she'd ordered her usual size 10 in a guipure lace Self Portrait dress and it was simply too snug across the chest. We exchanged for a 12 and it was perfect. She looked incredible, incidentally. The point is: don't let ego get in the way of the right fit. The label inside the dress is invisible; the fit absolutely isn't.

A few rules of thumb I always pass on:

Measure your bust, waist and hips before ordering — every single time. Don't rely on what you think you are.
If you're between sizes, size up. Self Portrait's construction doesn't have a lot of ease built in.
If you're petite (under 5'4"), the midi lengths may fall below the knee rather than hitting mid-calf — worth checking the exact length in the product description.
The brand's returns policy is reasonable, but international returns can be expensive. Get your size right first time using proper measurements.

Where to Shop Self Portrait

You can buy directly from selfportrait-studio.com, or through stockists including Net-a-Porter, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, and MATCHES (where stock allows). Sales are worth watching — Self Portrait pieces do come up at decent reductions, though the most popular styles sell out quickly.

Brilliant Alternatives If You Love the Look

Self Portrait sits in a specific zone — occasion-ready, feminine, beautifully finished — but it's not cheap. Here are brands I genuinely recommend to clients depending on budget:

High Street & Accessible Options

Phase Eight — My first stop for clients who want event-ready dresses without the Self Portrait price tag. Their lace and embellished styles are consistently excellent and size inclusively.
Coast — Purpose-built for occasion wear. Great lace and floral options that photograph beautifully and are cut with curves in mind.
Ted Baker — The florals and feminine silhouettes here genuinely rival Self Portrait at times. Particularly good for floral midi dresses and structured event styles.
Whistles — For the more understated Self Portrait customer. Elegant, thoughtfully cut, and goes up to a size 18.
Monsoon — Particularly good for embellished and beaded styles for occasions. Often underestimated and worth a proper look for wedding guest dressing.
Reiss — A step up in terms of fabric quality and tailoring precision. Their occasion dresses and jumpsuits are excellent and feel genuinely premium.
Me&Em — Brilliant for elevated, polished occasion pieces that don't feel overdone. If you want the Self Portrait look but with a quieter luxury feel, start here.
LK Bennett — The original occasion wear destination for so many women. Classic, reliable, and cuts beautifully through the waist.

Two Independent Brands Worth Knowing

Needle & Thread — If you love Self Portrait's romantic aesthetic, Needle & Thread is your next obsession. Their embellished chiffon and tulle midi dresses are genuinely breathtaking and surprisingly wearable for multiple occasions. A genuine gem of a brand.
Chi Chi London — An underrated gem for occasion dressing. The brand specialises in going-out and event dresses at accessible price points, with lace and embellished styles that genuinely punch above their price tag. Worth bookmarking.

Never Guess Your Size Again — Use Tellar

Getting Self Portrait's fit right comes down to one thing: knowing your measurements precisely and matching them to the brand's actual size guide. That's exactly what Tellar does — and it covers over 1,500 brands, completely free.

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Measure once — bust, waist, hips, or use an existing brand size you know fits
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Plus, the Tellar Fashion Hub is stacked with free posts from our team of stylists — honest, unbiased, and never sponsored. Real advice, real brands, real opinions.

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