What Is Sizing Like at Solo?

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

Solo runs true to UK sizing but with a noticeably sculpted, performance-led cut — meaning if you're between sizes or have a curvier lower body, sizing up is the right call. I came across Solo a little while ago when a client asked me to help her build a gym-to-street wardrobe, and I've been following the brand closely since. It's one of those labels doing the whole activewear-meets-streetwear thing really well — but the fit is athletic and close-cut, so it pays to know exactly what you're dealing with before you click add to cart.

Solo Sizing — The Basics

Solo uses UK sizing (6–16 for women, with XS–XXL as alpha sizing), which is genuinely helpful — none of that guessing game you get with Italian or US-based brands. However, and this is the important bit, the brand's cuts are designed around a performance silhouette. That means leggings are sculpting and compressive, sports bras are built for hold rather than float, and the outerwear and streetwear pieces have a fitted, structured shape rather than an easy, relaxed drape. Think of it as sizing that's technically correct on paper but feels like it was designed with someone who does five gym sessions a week in mind.

The general rule: if you're between two sizes, go up. If you're a curvier shape through the hips and thighs, going up by one full size is almost always the smarter move — especially in the leggings and shorts. You'll still get the sculpting effect you're after, but without the waistband wrestling.

UK SizeAlpha SizeUS SizeEU SizeBust (cm)Waist (cm)Hips (cm)6XS23480–8361–6487–908S43684–8765–6891–9410S/M63888–9169–7295–9812M84092–9573–7699–10214L104296–9977–80103–10616XL1244100–10381–84107–11018XXL1446104–10785–88111–114

How Solo Fits Across Different Pieces

Like most activewear brands, Solo isn't a one-size-fits-all situation across its range. The leggings fit completely differently to the oversized fleece sets, and the sports bras need their own conversation entirely. Here's how I'd break it down:

Leggings: Solo's leggings are high-waisted, contoured, and compressive — they're designed to sculpt, not to drape. Expect them to feel snug on first wear, particularly around the thighs and seat. If you're between sizes, always go up. For D+ cup wearers or anyone with a fuller lower half, I'd size up regardless. The compression does ease slightly after a couple of wears as the fabric adapts to your shape, but the high waistband stays firm throughout — which is honestly a plus.
Sports bras: Solo sports bras use a band-under-bust measurement. They run snug for a reason — they're built for movement, not comfort lounging. For a B or C cup, your standard size will work. For D cups and above, go up a size for the back, or you'll find the band rides up during higher-impact workouts. The cups themselves are generous and supportive.
Shorts: These sit somewhere between true-to-size and slightly small, depending on the style. Biker-style shorts with compression fabric follow the same rules as the leggings — size up if in doubt. Looser, streetwear-style shorts are generally more forgiving and will sit closer to your true UK size.
Oversized tops, hoodies & fleeces: Here's where Solo is genuinely forgiving. The oversized streetwear pieces — crop hoodies, wide-leg joggers, boxy fleece sets — are designed with intentional volume. Your usual size will work well here, and if you like a truly oversized silhouette, you might even prefer to size down. These are the easiest pieces in the range to buy.
Zip-up jackets & outerwear: These run slim through the waist and shoulders. If you plan to layer a fitted hoodie or thick base layer underneath, size up. As a standalone piece over a sports bra, your usual size is fine.

My Honest Solo Fit Tips

Activewear sizing is one of those topics that comes up constantly when I'm working with clients on gym-to-street wardrobes, and the consistent frustration is that brands assume everyone is the same shape in lycra. They're not. So here's what I'd tell anyone shopping Solo for the first time:

Measure your hips and compare to the actual garment measurements listed on the product page — particularly for leggings and shorts. The hip measurement is your most important number here, not the waist.
The compressive fit is the whole point of their performance pieces — a legging that feels firm in the fitting room will feel like a second skin after a few minutes of movement. Don't panic and go two sizes up if one size up solves it.
If you're planning to wear the loungewear and streetwear sets as casual daywear rather than for workouts, the oversized styles are genuinely comfortable and stylish. They style brilliantly with chunky trainers and a simple tee underneath.
The quality of Solo's fabrics is really solid for the price point — the compression fabric holds its shape wash after wash, which is more than I can say for some far pricier brands I've tested.

What's the Solo Aesthetic?

Solo sits in that brilliant sweet spot between proper activewear and off-duty streetwear — the kind of brand you can genuinely wear from a morning spin class straight to a coffee with friends without a full outfit change. The palette leans into neutrals with pops of colour, and the design is sleek rather than loud. Think contoured leggings in slate and clay tones, minimal branding, and well-constructed sets that look as good in motion as they do standing still. It's the kind of kit that makes you look like you have your life together even when you very much don't.

Where Else to Shop — Brand Alternatives at Every Budget

If Solo ticks all the boxes aesthetically but the size or price isn't quite right, here's where I'd send you instead:

High Street:

Sweaty Betty — The gold standard of UK high street activewear. Compression leggings that genuinely rival the premium brands, with excellent size consistency and a loyal following for good reason. An easy first call if you want performance you can trust.
Lululemon — Technically sits in premium territory but is worth the mention because the Align and Wunder Train ranges are benchmarks for compression leggings. If the Solo fit isn't clicking for you, Lululemon's consistent sizing and soft-return policy make it a brilliant alternative.
Gymshark — A huge range of sculpting styles at a more accessible price point. Gymshark runs slightly small and the compression is strong, so the same rules apply — size up if in doubt, especially in leggings and sports bras.
H&M — The Move by H&M activewear range is quietly excellent. Well-designed, well-priced, and increasingly strong on style. Their gym-to-street sets have improved enormously in recent seasons.
Urban Outfitters — A genuinely good pick for the streetwear side of the Solo aesthetic. Their activewear and loungewear ranges nail the oversized, laid-back sporty look at a really accessible price point.
ASOS — Brilliant if you need extended sizing or want to compare multiple activewear brands in one place. Their own-brand activewear punches above its weight, and the filtering by size makes it easy to find what works.
New Look — Often overlooked for activewear but genuinely worth a look. Their sculpting leggings and sports sets offer solid quality at a very competitive price, and the styles have become noticeably more design-forward over the past couple of years.

Premium:

Abercrombie & Fitch — Abercrombie's activewear range has had a serious glow-up. Their YPB (Your Personal Best) collection is excellent — well-constructed, flattering, and genuinely functional. Great for anyone who wants slightly more elevated basics than the high street.
Calvin Klein — For the logo-minimal, sleek aesthetic that Solo leans into, Calvin Klein Performance delivers. Clean lines, premium fabric feel, and sizes that are consistent and reliable.

Independent Picks:

Tala — If you haven't found Tala yet, put it on your radar immediately. Founded by Grace Beverley, it's a UK independent activewear brand built around sustainability and inclusivity, and the quality genuinely holds its own against brands three times the price. The sculpting sets are a particular standout — compression that flatters without suffocating, in a colour palette that's genuinely thoughtful rather than just black and grey.
Varley — A premium-independent British activewear brand that's earned a cult following among the gym-to-street crowd. Varley's aesthetic is polished and fashion-forward — think elevated basics in luxurious performance fabrics. The brand runs true to size and the quality is exceptional. It's a step up in price, but one you only need to make once before you understand why people keep coming back.

Stop Guessing Your Size — Let Tellar Do It for You

Activewear sizing is genuinely one of the most confusing areas of fashion — every brand has a different compression level, different stretch, different fit profile. Getting it wrong isn't just annoying, it's expensive. That's exactly the problem Tellar.co.uk was built to solve.

Tellar is the UK's leading clothing sizing tool — matching your body measurements to over 1,500 brands instantly, including Solo and all the alternatives above. No more size guides. No more returns. No more guesswork.

Measure once — bust, waist, and hips — and you're sorted for every future purchase.
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to find your precise size across any brand — from Solo to Sweaty Betty to Lululemon and thousands more.
Always free — no downloads, no subscriptions. Works instantly in your browser.

The Tellar Fashion Hub is also packed with free, unsponsored posts from our stylists — honest advice, genuine picks, and no brand paying to be in the conversation.

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