What Is Sizing Like at Topshop?

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

Topshop sizes run small to true for standard UK sizing — historically a notorious offender for vanity sizing in reverse, particularly in jeans, where you'll often find yourself reaching for a size up from what you'd usually wear. Now operating exclusively online (you'll find the full range on ASOS and topshop.com), the brand has had something of a quiet renaissance since its high street days, but the sizing quirks that generations of shoppers knew and debated are still very much present. If you're shopping Topshop in 2026, go in with open eyes and your tape measure handy.

I'll be honest — I have a complicated relationship with Topshop sizing. As a teenager I was obsessed with their Jamie jeans. I probably spent a collective six hours of my life in that Oxford Circus fitting room, going up and down sizes in denim that seemed to operate on its own mysterious logic entirely unrelated to my actual measurements. The jeans were brilliant. The sizing was baffling. Not much has changed.

The Topshop Sizing Reputation — Earned or Exaggerated?

Earned. Topshop has always skewed on the smaller side, and this is particularly true in their denim and tailoring. Their jersey and knitwear pieces tend to be more generous — truer to UK standard — but anything structured or fitted will almost always require sizing up by one, sometimes two sizes if you're fuller in the hip or bust.

The key things to know before you order:

Topshop sizing runs small — size up by one as a general rule for jeans and tailoring
Jersey pieces (T-shirts, jersey dresses, casual tops) are closer to true size
They cover UK 4 to UK 22, with a Petite and Tall range — both genuinely useful and well-executed
The Petite range is one of the better ones on the market — proportioned properly rather than just hemmed shorter
Tall range goes up to a 36" inseam, which is genuinely rare at this price point
Returns are free on topshop.com, so ordering two sizes is a reasonable strategy for anything fitted

Topshop Size Conversion Guide

UK SizeEU SizeUS SizeBust (cm)Waist (cm)Hips (cm)43207658816342796184836482648710386856790124088870931442109274971644129779102184614102841072048161089011322501811496119

Note: These are Topshop's stated measurements. Given the brand's tendency to cut small, particularly in denim and structured pieces, treat these as a guide and size up if your measurements sit anywhere near the top of a size bracket.

Topshop Jeans Sizing — A Special Mention

Topshop jeans deserve their own section because they have a whole sizing language of their own. The Jamie jean (their bestselling high-waisted skinny) and the Straight leg styles both run noticeably small. If you're usually a 28" waist in jeans, start with a 30" in Topshop. Their denim also has very little stretch on the new iterations, so there's no getting away with squeezing into a smaller size and hoping for the best like you once could.

The good news: the leg length range is genuinely excellent. Short (28–30"), Regular (32"), Long (34"), and Extra Long (36") are all available, which makes Topshop denim one of the better options for tall women who usually struggle to find a proper inseam. If you're petite, the Petite range jeans are cut with a shorter rise too — not just cropped at the ankle, which is a much more thought-through approach than most brands manage.

Garment-by-Garment Sizing Guide

Jeans & tailored trousers: Size up by one, sometimes two. Go by waist measurement rather than your usual dress size.
Blazers & structured jackets: Size up by one. Topshop blazers cut narrow through the shoulder and chest — if your shoulders are broader, this will be where you'll feel it first.
Dresses — jersey: True to size, occasionally a touch generous through the body. These are the safest category to order in your usual size.
Dresses — structured or mini: Size up by one. Their bodycon and mini dresses are cut snug by design, but the sizing still runs small.
Tops & blouses: True to size for jersey; size up by one for anything with a defined waist or structured cut.
Knitwear: True to size with a relaxed, slouchy fit. No need to size up here — their knits are deliberately oversized in many styles.
Coats: Size up by one to allow for layering underneath. Topshop coats are cut slim and look extraordinary on, but are not designed with a chunky jumper in mind.

Alternatives Worth Knowing About

Love Topshop's aesthetic — that particular sweet spot between trend-led and wearable, with a strong denim game — but struggling with the sizing inconsistency? Here are my honest picks across price points:

High Street:

River Island — The most direct Topshop rival still standing on the high street. Strong denim range, trend-driven, and sizing tends to be more consistent and generous. Their straight-leg jeans in particular are excellent.
Urban Outfitters — Shares Topshop's fashion-forward, youth-oriented energy. Sizing runs true to US standard which translates roughly true to UK — generally more reliable than Topshop's own scale.
Warehouse — Arguably the most underrated brand on this list. Brilliant tailoring, great denim, and sizing that is far more consistent. Their blazers are a particular standout and they're rarely as crowded online as the bigger names.
Mango — An excellent step up in quality at a similar price point. Mango's sizing runs small (like Topshop's) but the quality-to-price ratio is stronger. Their tailoring and denim are consistently praised by the style press.
New Look — Criminally underrated for denim. Wider size range, more consistent sizing, and their Tall and Petite ranges are genuinely impressive. If Topshop's jeans are defeating you, New Look is a very solid alternative.
H&M — For the trend-led basics and seasonal pieces that Topshop used to do so well, H&M is the most obvious like-for-like. Sizing is more generous and more consistent, though quality varies by line.
Abercrombie & Fitch — Transformed completely from the brand you remember. Their jeans are now some of the most reviewed and praised in the market, with an extraordinary range of inseam and waist combinations. If Topshop's denim sizing is frustrating you, try Abercrombie — the Curve Love range in particular is brilliant for curvier builds.

Premium step-up:

Whistles — For when you want the sharp tailoring and clean lines that Topshop does at its best, but with better fabric quality and more reliable sizing. A natural progression for the Topshop customer who wants to spend a little more and buy a lot less.
Reiss — For considered, investment-led pieces with a similar metropolitan polish to Topshop's better tailored ranges. Their jeans and trousers in particular are consistently excellent, and sizing is accurate and reliable.

Independent & left-field picks:

Damson Madder — An independent London brand that feels like what Topshop would be if it had more soul. Bold prints, relaxed silhouettes, ethical production, and sizing that is refreshingly true and consistent. A genuine cult favourite among former Topshop devotees who wanted something a bit more considered.
Sister Jane — Another brilliant independent if you loved Topshop's more playful, fashion-forward pieces. Romantic prints, statement sleeves, vintage-inflected designs at accessible prices. Their sizing runs true to UK standard with a relaxed, easy fit — a complete contrast to Topshop's tight cuts.

Stop Guessing Your Topshop Size — Use Tellar

Given how inconsistently Topshop sizes run across categories, this is exactly where Tellar earns its keep. The UK's leading sizing tool matches your measurements to 1,500+ brands instantly — so you know whether you're a 10 or a 12 before you click checkout, not after a week of waiting for a delivery you'll need to return.

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Visit tellar.co.uk and try the Store Size Lookup tool — 30 seconds and you'll never need to guess again.

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