What Is Sizing Like at The Frankie Shop?

The Frankie Shop runs deliberately oversized across most of its range — particularly in blazers, shirts, and outerwear — which means the single most common mistake new customers make is ordering their usual size and ending up swimming in fabric. Sizing down, often by one size and sometimes two in tailoring, is almost universally recommended.

I'll be honest: the first time I ordered from The Frankie Shop I got it completely wrong. I went for my standard size in their Bea Blazer and it arrived looking like I'd borrowed it from a very tall boyfriend. Which, actually, is half the point — but I wasn't styling it that way, and the shoulders were somewhere around my elbows. Lesson learned. The Frankie Shop is one of those brands where understanding the fit philosophy before you buy is genuinely non-negotiable.

THE FRANKIE SHOP AESTHETIC: WHY SIZING WORKS DIFFERENTLY HERE

Founded by Gaëlle Drevet in Paris and now headquartered in New York, The Frankie Shop is built on an androgynous, editorial aesthetic. Think sculptural tailoring, clean lines, and that slightly borrowed-from-the-boys sensibility that fashion editors absolutely lose their minds for. The sizing is intentional — the oversized silhouette is the whole point.

But that doesn't mean every piece fits the same way. Once you understand how each garment category behaves, it actually makes a lot of sense.

"The oversized silhouette is the whole point — but there's a difference between intentional volume and just drowning."

BLAZERS & TAILORING: SIZE DOWN (POSSIBLY TWICE)

This is where most people come unstuck. The Frankie Shop blazers — the cult Bea Blazer included — are cut with exaggerated, boxy shoulders, long sleeves, and a wide body. They are designed to swamp you slightly. That's the look.

If you're between a UK 10 and 12, start with an XS or S
Petite women (under 5'4") should be especially cautious — the sleeve length and shoulder drop can overwhelm a smaller frame
For the Bea Blazer specifically, most reviews consistently suggest sizing down one to two sizes
The structured shoulder padding will do the lifting — you want the blazer to hint at the fit, not confirm it

TROUSERS & BOTTOMS: TRUER TO SIZE, BUT READ THE CUT

Trousers at The Frankie Shop are more reliable in the waist than you might expect — they generally fit true to your waist measurement. The leg, however, is almost always wide. The Gelso Trousers, the Yoyo Pants, and the Hayla Jeans all have a generous, high-waisted wide-leg fit. If you're petite, factor in that you'll likely need a hem taken up.

Waist: true to size in most trouser styles
Hip: generous through the seat and thigh — rarely a problem
Leg: wide and long — petites should budget for alterations or buy with heels in mind
The Bea Trouser specifically runs small compared to the brand's other bottoms — several customers report going up a size

TOPS, SHIRTS & KNITWEAR: EXPECT VOLUME

The brand's tops and shirts mirror the blazer philosophy: wide armholes, dropped shoulders, and lengths that sit well below the hip. The Eva Muscle Tank, despite its name, is cut with architectural looseness rather than anything body-skimming. The Mira Shirt? Billowy and relaxed even in a small.

T-shirts and tanks: size down one for a more fitted look, or stay true for the intended silhouette
Button-up shirts: size down at least one — they are cut very wide across the back and chest
Knitwear: true to size in most styles, with a naturally boxy cut

DRESSES & JUMPSUITS: DEPENDS ON YOUR VIBE

Dresses at The Frankie Shop tend to be shift-style or oversized — shapeless in the best possible way, if that makes sense. The Camille Maxi Shirt Dress falls off the body intentionally. The Cielo Belted Jumpsuit, on the other hand, has a waist tie that allows you to create more structure.

If you want to belt and define your waist: go true to size
If you prefer the draped, editorial look the brand is known for: true to size or size up
The Elis Dress is one of the more forgiving fits — the wrap element makes it more adaptable across body types

KEY PIECES WORTH BUYING — AND WHAT TO ORDER

If you're new to the brand, these are the pieces I'd point you towards first:

Bea Blazer — the cult classic. Size down one to two sizes. Worth every penny if you get the fit right.
Gelso Trousers — beautifully tailored, true to size in the waist. A genuine wardrobe investment.
Eva Muscle Tank — size down if you want it to sit close; stay true if you want the draped look.
Yoyo Pants — wide-leg dream trousers. True to size. Brilliant with a crisp tucked shirt.
Oversized Poplin Shirts — size down at least one. These are the building block of the whole Frankie Shop universe.

SIMILAR BRANDS TO SHOP IF THE FRANKIE SHOP SIZING DOESN'T WORK FOR YOU

If the intentionally oversized cut isn't giving you what you need, or if the price point is a stretch right now, here are some brilliant alternatives at every level that nail a similar clean, minimal, Parisian-cool aesthetic:

HIGH STREET PICKS

COS — arguably the closest high-street equivalent to Frankie Shop's DNA. Structured, minimal, architectural. Runs true to size with an intentional oversized cut in tailoring.
Massimo Dutti — beautifully made tailoring at a price that doesn't sting. Their blazers and wide-leg trousers are genuinely excellent quality for the high street.
Mango — consistently delivers editorial-feeling tailoring. Their suit separates and linen blazers are perennial sell-outs for good reason.
Whistles — great for structured separates and clean-lined coats with a grown-up edge. Runs fairly true to size.
Me&Em — premium high street with a very considered approach to tailoring. Wide-leg trousers and blazers are a particular strength. Slightly more fitted than Frankie Shop but beautifully cut.
Jigsaw — quiet luxury vibes, minimalist palette, strong outerwear and tailoring game. A stalwart of the understated wardrobe.
Claudie Pierlot — the Parisian equivalent on the high-premium end. Nails that effortless French aesthetic with structured pieces that feel editorial without trying too hard.
All Saints — for those who want to add a little edge to the minimal look. Their leather jackets and structured bombers are iconic.

PREMIUM ALTERNATIVES

Sandro — French brand with a strong minimalist tailoring offer. Cuts tend to be slightly more fitted than Frankie Shop but the aesthetic is very aligned.
A.P.C. — the original Parisian minimal-cool brand. Sizing runs small, so always size up — but the quality and cut are exceptional.
Toteme — for lovers of the oversized coat and clean-line trouser. A natural next step from Frankie Shop at a slightly higher price point.

LUXURY & DESIGNER

Celine — where Frankie Shop draws much of its architectural inspiration. The tailoring here is what dreams are made of, if your budget allows.
The Row — peak quiet luxury. Oversized, beautifully constructed, extraordinarily expensive. For those who want the Frankie Shop energy with serious investment-piece quality.
Jacquemus — for a more playful, sculptural take on the same minimal aesthetic. Sizing is strict European, so check carefully.

INDEPENDENT NICHE PICKS

Saywood — a small London-based label making beautifully constructed, minimal womenswear in limited runs. Very much in the spirit of Frankie Shop at a lower price, with the added appeal of genuinely independent, UK-made production. Worth exploring if you care about provenance.
Aligne — UK independent brand with a strong focus on sustainable tailoring and wide-leg silhouettes. Their blazers and trousers tick every Frankie Shop aesthetic box and the sizing is refreshingly consistent.

TELLAR — THE UK’S LEADING SIZING TOOL

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