What Is Sizing Like at Star by Julien Macdonald? An Honest Fit Guide

The short answer: Star by Julien Macdonald runs snug, especially across the bust and hips on its glitzier occasion pieces, so most women find they need to size up by one from their usual UK high street size. It's a diffusion line carrying that signature red-carpet sparkle at accessible prices, sized UK 10–24, but the cut is closer than the breezy high street fit you might be used to. If you're eyeing a sequin number for a party, this is one to measure for rather than guess.

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

First, a quick confession

I learned the Star sizing lesson the hard way. Years ago I grabbed a sequin wrap dress in my "safe" size 10 for a New Year's do, didn't try it on until the afternoon of the party, and spent the evening unable to take a full breath, let alone reach the canapés. Gorgeous dress. Genuinely lovely. But I'd treated it like a Zara size 10 when it behaves nothing like one. The 12 would have been perfect. So believe me when I tell you to measure first.

How the fit actually behaves

The thing to understand about this label is that it isn't cut to one consistent block. The fit shifts depending on the style and the fabric, so here's what I'd flag before you buy:

Bodycon and sequin dresses run small – particularly through the bust and hips. The non-stretch panels and structured embellishment don't give, so go by your largest measurement.
Wrap tops and blouses are inconsistent – often generous in the waist but tighter across the shoulders and upper arms. If you've broader shoulders, this is your watch-out.
Trousers and skirts depend on the fabric – the stretchier styles cling more than you'd expect, while the tailored slim fits (sized 10–22) sit closer than a typical high street trouser.
Occasionwear limits movement – those beautiful rigid, embellished panels look incredible standing still but don't always let you sit, dance or breathe comfortably. Factor that in for a long event.

The honest translation: you can't rely on your "usual" size here, especially if your bust-to-waist or waist-to-hip ratio sits outside the average. When you're between sizes, go up, not down. You can always nip a waist in; you cannot magic extra room into a sequinned bodice.

My styling tips for getting it right

Measure before you order – bust, waist and hips. Two minutes with a tape measure saves a fortnight of returns faff.
Buy for the biggest bit of you – on a bodycon style, your hips or bust decide the size, then tailor the rest.
Mind the lining – heavily embellished dresses are often heavier than they look and can drag on the shoulders. A good bra and the right size make all the difference.
Save the slim trousers for occasions you'll mostly stand at – they're stunning but not built for an eight-hour desk day.

Where to shop for similar glamour

If you love the Star look but want a fit you can predict, here's where I'd send my clients across three tiers.

High street

Coast – the high street's occasionwear specialist; reliable for sequins, wedding-guest dresses and embellishment with a kinder, more forgiving cut.
Phase Eight – beautifully consistent sizing and the queen of the structured occasion dress that actually lets you sit down.
Monsoon – embellishment and beading for less, with a softer, roomier fit through the body.
Hobbs – grown-up event tailoring and elegant dresses; true to size and brilliantly cut for hourglass and pear shapes.
Oasis – go-to for going-out dresses with a bit of sparkle at a lower price point.
Warehouse – directional party pieces and satin slips with a slightly more relaxed fit than Star.
Reiss – when you want sharp, minimalist eveningwear rather than full sparkle; impeccable tailoring.

Premium

LK Bennett – polished mother-of-the-bride and occasion dressing, with shoes to match the outfit perfectly.
Mint Velvet – relaxed glamour and soft separates for occasions that don't call for full-on sequins.

Luxury / designer

Max Mara – investment eveningwear and the kind of tailored coat that finishes an occasion look properly.

Two independent gems to know

Forever Unique – a Manchester-founded independent that does proper red-carpet glamour; if the Star sparkle is your thing, this is the indie label to explore. Cut on the close side too, so size with care.
Never Fully Dressed – a London independent loved for bold prints, statement wrap dresses and a genuinely flattering, body-friendly fit. A great antidote if you've been burned by rigid occasionwear.

How Tellar takes the guesswork out

This is exactly the problem Tellar was built to solve. We're the UK's leading sizing tool – your body matched exactly to 1,500-plus brands instantly, so you never squint at a confusing size guide again.

Measure once using your bust, waist and hip, or simply your existing size in a brand you know.
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size in any brand – COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket and hundreds more.
Always free, no downloads, works straight in your browser.

Because Tellar compares your actual measurements against each brand's real cut and fit history – not a generic chart – it'll tell you whether to take that Star dress in your usual size or bump up. There's also the Tellar Fashion Hub, a library of free posts from our stylists. Honest, unbiased, independent and always free.

Keep reading

My verdict: Star by Julien Macdonald is wonderful for occasion glamour on a budget – just treat it as a snug-fitting label, size up when in doubt, and measure before you buy. Do that, and you'll be the one breathing easily on the dance floor.