What Is Sizing Like at Shrimps? A Stylist's Honest Guide

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

Shrimps sizes small to true-to-size across most styles — if you're between sizes, size up, especially in the structured coats and knitwear the brand is best known for. I'll be honest with you: the first time I bought a Shrimps coat, I went on a cold January morning to Selfridges, tried on a size I'd normally take in everything else, and had a small panic when the buttons refused to meet. Went up one size, and it was absolutely perfect. Lesson learned, and one I'm passing on to you.

Who Is Shrimps? And Why Does Sizing Matter So Much Here?

Founded by Hannah Weiland in 2013, Shrimps is one of those rare British brands that genuinely feels like it was created for people who find regular fashion a bit boring. The faux fur coats are the stuff of Instagram legend — boxy, maximalist, deliberately theatrical. The knitwear is chunky and characterful, the bags are works of art, and the dresses lean heavily into a sort of whimsical, 1960s-meets-garden-party energy that I am entirely here for.

Because of those structural, boxy silhouettes — particularly in the outerwear — fit really matters. There's less stretch, less forgiveness, and more precision in the cut than you'd find on the high street. Getting the size right means the difference between a coat that looks intentional and one that just looks awkward.

Shrimps Sizing: What You Need to Know

Shrimps uses UK sizing (XS–XL and numeric 6–16 depending on the garment).
Coats and jackets run small — particularly across the shoulders and chest. Size up if you're in any doubt, or if you plan to layer underneath.
Knitwear is generally more forgiving due to the oversized, relaxed nature of the designs. True to size or size up for a more relaxed fit.
Dresses tend to be closer to true-to-size, though the more structured styles can pull across the bust if you're fuller on top.
Bags and accessories — sizing doesn't apply, obviously, but do check dimensions carefully online; the Shrimps aesthetic can be deceptive on screen.
If you're petite, note that coat lengths can be generous — they may hit you at a slightly longer point than intended.

Shrimps Size Guide: UK, EU & US Conversions

UK SizeEU SizeUS SizeBust (cm)Waist (cm)Hips (cm)634280618783648465911038688699512408927399144210967710316441210081107

Tip: Always cross-reference with the individual product's measurement notes on the Shrimps website — the coats in particular often include a note on chest width that's more useful than the generic size guide.

How to Style Shrimps (And Actually Wear It)

I'll be upfront — Shrimps is not a brand you wear quietly. And that's exactly the point. The faux fur coats deserve to be the hero of the outfit, which means keeping everything underneath relatively simple. Think slim-fit dark trousers, a plain roll-neck, clean ankle boots. Let the coat do the talking.

For the knitwear, I love a Shrimps intarsia jumper over a crisp white shirt with wide-leg trousers and loafers — that very grown-up, high-low mix that feels effortless rather than overdressed. The dresses work brilliantly for weddings or garden parties; pair with a block-heel sandal and minimal jewellery to avoid competing with the print.

High Street Alternatives With a Similar Vibe

Not quite ready to commit to the Shrimps price tag? Genuinely, I get it — these are investment pieces. Here are some brilliant alternatives that capture a similar whimsical, maximalist, or crafted-with-personality spirit:

Anthropologie — probably the closest high street match for Shrimps' romantic, quirky aesthetic. Beautiful prints, excellent knitwear, and coats that have a similar drama without the designer price.
Monsoon — often underestimated. Their print dresses and occasion wear have genuine charm, and they're brilliant for that garden-party occasion-wear territory Shrimps occupies.
Part Two — a Scandinavian brand with a quietly brilliant edit of textured knitwear and relaxed separates. Understated but characterful.
Oliver Bonas — for the accessories and occasional knitwear; great quality for the price with a genuinely playful design sensibility.
Jigsaw — more pared-back, but excellent outerwear and textured fabrics that share Shrimps' appreciation for quality and cut.
Whistles — consistently strong on structured coats and considered tailoring. More minimal than Shrimps, but the quality benchmark is similar at a fraction of the cost.
Urban Outfitters — worth a look for the more youthful, eclectic pieces that sit in similar whimsical territory, particularly for party-season dressing.
Mango — reliable for well-cut coats with a slightly more editorial shape; good quality faux textures at accessible prices.

Two Independent Brands Worth Knowing

Sister Jane (sisterjane.com) — a London-based independent with a deliciously OTT approach to feminine dressing. Florals, puff sleeves, whimsical prints. Very much in the same spirit as Shrimps, at a price point that's significantly more accessible. A genuine hidden gem.
Damson Madder (damsonmadder.com) — a small British brand with beautifully made, print-led pieces in an earthy, creative palette. Very much the kind of brand that Shrimps' customer would have on her radar. Excellent sizing, too — they size inclusively and give detailed garment measurements.

Premium & Luxury Alternatives

If Shrimps has whetted your appetite for designer outerwear and you want to explore further, Ganni offers a similarly playful, fashion-forward take on Scandi femininity. Staud (for those beautiful structured bags and occasion dresses) and Rixo (for the vintage-inspired print dresses) both occupy similar cultural territory. At the very top end, Prada's maximalist fur and statement knitwear seasons are the obvious touchstone that Shrimps has always been in conversation with.

Never Guess Your Size in Shrimps Again — Use Tellar

Given how much Shrimps sizing varies by garment type, this is exactly the kind of brand where getting your measurements right before you order makes all the difference. That's precisely why Tellar.co.uk exists.

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Plus, explore the Tellar Fashion Hub — a library of free posts from our stylists covering every fashion question you could possibly have. Honest. Unbiased. Independent. Always free.