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

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

Starlet London sizes true to standard UK sizing, running from a 6 to a 16 — but because almost everything they make is either corseted, bodycon, or heavily embellished, how a piece fits can vary quite a bit depending on the style. Let me break it all down, because I've seen firsthand how confusing occasion dressing can be when you're ordering online.

I'll be honest — I had a mild crisis before a friend's 40th birthday dinner when I ordered a Starlet sequin midi without really reading the cut. It arrived absolutely stunning, but the boning in the bodice was doing a lot of heavy lifting and I nearly couldn't breathe by pudding. Lesson learnt: Starlet clothes are exceptional quality but you need to know what you're buying into, fit-wise.

How Does Starlet London Generally Fit?

The short answer: Starlet runs true to UK size, but the silhouettes are designed to be close-fitting and dramatic. This is not a brand you throw on loosely — everything is structured to show the body. Think figure-skimming maxis, sculpted corset tops, sequin-soaked two-pieces.

If you're between sizes, size up — especially for boned or corseted styles where you need a little breathing room
If you have a larger bust relative to your waist, consider sizing to your bust and using the boning or structure to define the waist
Stretchy styles (their jersey and sequin-knit dresses) are more forgiving — you can usually go with your true size
Structured bodice dresses with zip fastenings leave less room for error — measure your bust and waist carefully before ordering

Starlet Dresses — What to Know Before You Order

This is where Starlet really shines, and honestly it's the category I'd always go back to them for. Their maxi dresses in particular are jaw-dropping in person — the embellishment is far better quality than you'd expect at the price point. But the fit requires a bit of thought:

Corset maxi dresses: These are boned at the bodice and tend to come up fitted. Your bust measurement is your key number here. If you're a fuller cup, size up from your usual. The skirt section typically has more give
Sequin slip dresses: More forgiving. These sit against the body rather than gripping it. True to size is usually fine
Embellished mini dresses: These are designed short and tight. If you prefer a little more coverage or are longer in the body, size up one
Two-piece sets: You can mix sizes here if needed — size the top to your bust and the skirt to your hips. It's absolutely worth doing

Stylist tip: Starlet's dresses are designed for a night out — they're not built for comfort over a long dinner. If you know you'll be eating, drinking, and dancing until midnight, choose the jersey or stretch sequin styles over the structured corset cuts. You'll thank yourself at about 10pm.

Starlet Tops & Bodysuits

Their bodysuits deserve a special mention because they're genuinely brilliant for creating that polished, tucked-in look without the actual tucking. Sizing-wise:

Bodysuits run true to size — your usual UK size will work for most styles
If you have a longer torso, be aware some styles can feel short in the body — check the product description for measurements where available
One-shoulder and asymmetric tops are designed fitted — they rely on the close fit to stay in place, so don't size up here

Starlet Skirts

The midi and maxi skirts are where Starlet sizing feels most relaxed. Most styles have a defined waistband and the skirt itself is cut generously enough to allow movement:

Size to your waist — the hips and length are typically very accommodating
Sequin pencil skirts are more fitted — size to your hips if you're bigger on the bottom half
Pleated and full styles can easily size to your waist with room to spare through the hips

High Street Alternatives to Starlet London

Starlet sits at a premium-indie price point (roughly £45–£110 per piece). If you love the aesthetic but want to shop around, these high street brands do it brilliantly for occasion dressing:

Coast — consistently excellent for embellished occasion dresses and structured evening wear. One of my absolute go-tos for weddings and formal dos
Phase Eight — beautiful draping and beading, great for a slightly more classic take on the occasion dress
Monsoon — underrated for sequin and embroidered pieces. Their occasion edit is genuinely stunning at a very accessible price
River Island — great for bodycon sequin dresses and bold occasionwear at a lower price point. The quality has improved massively in recent years
ASOS — huge range of occasion and embellished pieces. You can find very similar silhouettes to Starlet at a fraction of the price — just check reviews on fit carefully
French Connection — their occasionwear range has great drape and quality. More understated than Starlet but still polished and evening-appropriate
Warehouse — brilliant for a sequin moment without the hefty price tag. Their party dresses are reliably good value and well-cut
Ted Baker — a step up in quality and price from pure high street. Stunning embellished and occasion pieces, especially for weddings and formal events
Reiss — for a sleeker, more editorial take on occasion dressing. Less glam than Starlet but deeply elegant

Premium Alternatives

If you want to invest in something really special at a similar or slightly higher price bracket:

Needle & Thread — the king of embellished, floaty occasion dressing. If Starlet is your night-out brand, Needle & Thread is the wedding and black-tie equivalent. Extraordinary quality
Self-Portrait — architectural, striking, and consistently flattering. Their lace and mesh styles are iconic and the fit is exceptional
Ghost London — beautiful for softer occasion dressing. Their silky midi dresses in jewel tones are a brilliant alternative if you prefer something less structured

Luxury & Designer Alternatives

If you're dressing for something truly special — a gala, a milestone birthday, a glamorous wedding:

Rotate Birger Christensen — THE destination for bold, statement occasion dressing. Think sculpted shoulders, sequins, and serious drama. Widely stocked at Net-a-Porter and Selfridges
Retrofête — the New York label that does sequin and embellished dressing like no one else. If you want to walk into a room and own it, this is your brand
Rasario — corseted, dramatic, extraordinary. If you've admired those impossibly glamorous gowns all over Instagram, Rasario is likely behind many of them

Two Independent Brands Worth Knowing

My two niche picks for this edit — both worth bookmarking:

Jarlo London — a genuinely underrated UK occasionwear brand. Brilliant sizing, really thoughtful cuts for different body shapes, and their embellished pieces are stunning. Well worth exploring if Starlet appeals to you
Honor Gold — a Manchester-based independent brand doing beautifully embellished occasion dresses at brilliant prices. Their sequin co-ords in particular are exceptional quality for the price point

Final Sizing Verdict on Starlet London

Starlet London is a brilliant brand for occasion dressing — genuinely glamorous, better quality than you might expect, and with a very clear aesthetic point of view. Size true to UK if you're buying stretch or jersey styles. Size up if you're buying anything corseted or boned, or if you're between sizes at all.

My personal rule with Starlet: always check whether the style zips or laces at the back. Lace-up backs give you far more flexibility on fit. Zip-back styles need to be spot-on. Check your measurements against their size guide before you order and you'll be absolutely fine.

Never Guess Your Size Again — Use Tellar

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