What Is Sizing Like at Solace London?

Solace London runs in UK sizing and, on the whole, comes up true to size — but here’s the catch most people miss: there’s very little stretch in their signature styles, so the fit lives or dies on the cut, not the number on the label. A bonded crepe column gown and a soft jersey wrap dress can both say “size 10” and fit you completely differently. After years of zipping clients into Solace gowns backstage and in fitting rooms, I can tell you the size number is only ever half the story.

Let me walk you through exactly what to expect before you hit checkout.

First, what kind of brand is Solace London?

Founded in 2013 by Laura Taylor and Ryan Holliday-Stevens, Solace London built its name on sculptural, architectural eveningwear — sharp shoulders, thigh-high splits, plunge necklines and that clean, minimalist drama that photographs like a dream. It’s a brand made for a moment: black-tie weddings, awards nights, the kind of event where you want to be the one people remember.

That design DNA matters, because it’s exactly why sizing here isn’t a one-number-fits-all situation.

So does Solace London fit true to size?

Mostly, yes — with caveats. Here’s how it actually breaks down by style:

Bodycon and stretch jersey styles fit true to size or very slightly small. If you’re between sizes in these, size down for that snatched, second-skin look.
Structured dresses with internal corsetry or boning are the ones to watch. The bust is cut precisely, and if you carry more there, you may need to size up just for the top half.
Crepe and bonded-satin column gowns have almost no give. Several of my clients who are a reliable UK 10 everywhere else have needed a 12 in these to breathe across the bust and ribcage.
Flowing pieces — cape gowns, wide-leg trousers, looser tailoring — run generous. Don’t panic-size-up here or you’ll swim in fabric.

The honest headline: pick your size based on your largest relevant measurement, usually the bust, then accept you may want to take the waist in. Solace gowns take beautifully to a nip and tuck.

My real-world fitting-room notes

A quick confession. Early in my career I dressed a bride’s sister for a London wedding and ordered her usual 10 in a boned Solace gown without checking the bust cut. It zipped — just — but she couldn’t take a deep breath, let alone dance. We swapped to a 12 with a quick waist alteration and she looked sensational. Lesson learned: with Solace, always measure the bust and ribcage before you commit, especially on anything corseted.

The flip side? I once over-thought a cape-sleeve style and sized a client up “to be safe.” It drowned her. The 8 she should have trusted was perfect. Read the fabric, not your nerves.

A few practical tips I give every client:

Plunge necklines almost always need fashion tape or stick-on cups — plan for that rather than sizing up to “cover.”
Thin jersey shows everything, so smooth, seamless shapewear is your best friend under the slinky styles.
Check the length — many gowns are cut long for heels. Lovely if you’re 5’7”+, a trip hazard if you’re petite. Tailoring is cheaper than a sprained ankle.

Where to shop if you love the Solace London look

If Solace is sold out in your size, over budget, or just not quite the vibe, these are the brands I genuinely reach for to get that sculptural, occasion-ready feel.

High street

Reiss — the closest high-street match for clean, sharp, minimalist tailoring and sculptural occasion dresses.
Whistles — pared-back, structured and grown-up; brilliant for understated event dressing.
Coast — the UK’s go-to for proper occasion gowns, with structured bodices and a generous size range.
Phase Eight — reliable for weddings and black-tie, with flattering, well-cut event pieces.
Hobbs — tailored and polished, especially strong on mother-of-the-bride and formal day events.
Ted Baker — for bolder, more decorative occasion dresses with a bit of drama.
Mango — punches well above its price on architectural party dresses and slip gowns.
Oliver Bonas — fun, characterful wedding-guest styles with real personality.

Premium

Sandro — Parisian precision tailoring and structured mini dresses with real polish.
Maje — going-out pieces with embellishment and a bit of edge.
Cefinn — elegant, tailored British occasionwear that feels effortlessly expensive.

Luxury / designer

Self-Portrait — arguably Solace’s biggest rival for photogenic, structured occasion dresses.
Roland Mouret — the master of the sculptural, body-skimming “wow” gown.
Max Mara — for timeless, beautifully engineered tailoring that lasts decades.

And because I always like to send you somewhere off the beaten track:

Nadine Merabi — a London independent doing glamorous, embellished showstoppers that genuinely turn heads.
16Arlington — a cult London label for sculptural, fashion-forward eveningwear with serious presence.

Whatever you choose, the trick with Solace and its peers is the same: buy for your biggest measurement, then tailor the rest. A £15 alteration on a beautiful gown beats a perfect “size” that won’t do up.

Never guess your Solace London size again

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Written honestly and independently by Ella Blake. Always honest, always unbiased, always free — never sponsored.