What Is Sizing Like at Waven? A Stylist’s Honest Guide

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

Waven (pronounced “Woven”) sizes in S, M and L rather than UK numbers, and the fit splits two ways: tops and outerwear run noticeably oversized thanks to the brand’s unisex, Scandi-utility DNA, while their denim and rigid trousers run closer to the body and can feel snug at the waist. As a rough rule, a Waven Medium tends to land around a UK 10–12, but the fit really does depend on the garment.

I’ve styled a lot of clients into Waven over the years and it’s one of those brands where you can’t just glance at your usual size and chuck it in the basket. So here’s the proper breakdown — from a stylist who’s been through the trial-and-error pile so you don’t have to.

First, a Quick Word on the Brand

Waven is a London-based label with a strong Scandinavian sensibility — minimalist palettes, boxy silhouettes, soft tailoring, beautiful rigid denim and that lovely workwear edge that makes everything feel quietly considered. Think shirt jackets you’ll throw on for the next ten years, oversized tees that hang just right, and denim that has real structure rather than that cheap stretchy slouch you get on the high street.

It’s the kind of brand that looks effortless on, but only if you nail the size. Get it wrong and the oversized cuts can tip from cool-girl Scandi into “borrowed-from-my-dad” territory very quickly.

My Honest Waven Fitting Room Story

The first time I bought Waven was a denim shirt about four winters ago. I’m normally a clean UK 10, so I went straight for a Medium, assumed it’d be roomy, and crucially didn’t check the model height on the product page. It arrived looking less “effortless boyfriend shirt” and more “tiny child wearing her dad’s gardening gear.” I returned it, ordered a Small, and it was perfect — relaxed through the shoulder, sleeves I could roll properly, hem that sat at the right point on the hip. Lesson learned, and one I’ve passed on to dozens of clients since.

How Waven Tops & Shirts Fit

Tees and sweatshirts run oversized and boxy by design. If you want the proper Waven silhouette, stick with your usual letter size. If you want something more fitted, size down one.
Shirts and overshirts are intentionally relaxed through the shoulder and chest — gorgeous for layering, but if you’re petite or you want a sharper line, size down.
Knitwear tends to be soft-shouldered and slightly cropped at the hem. Mediums often work for anyone between a UK 8 and 12.

How Waven Denim & Trousers Fit

Rigid denim (the proper, non-stretch stuff Waven is known for) sits closer to your true measurements and won’t give much. If you’re between sizes on the waist, go up — the denim will mould to you over a fortnight of wear.
Stretch denim styles are more forgiving and run a bit truer. Your usual size is generally safe.
Wide-leg and barrel cuts have a higher rise than most high street equivalents — lovely if you’re short-waisted, slightly long on the body if you’re petite.
Workwear-style trousers often pull from menswear blocks, so the waist-to-hip ratio can feel less generous on curvier shapes.

My Stylist Tips for Buying Waven

Measure once, save yourself ten returns. Bust, waist, hips — written down, kept on your phone. Waven’s product pages give garment measurements and they’re reliable.
Decide the silhouette before the size. Waven is built for relaxed proportions — if you fight that with a too-tight fit, the magic disappears.
Pair oversized with fitted. A boxy Waven shirt over slim tailored trousers, or a relaxed denim jacket with a closer-fitting top — that’s the formula.
Don’t skip the model notes. Waven shoots a lot of their tops on slim, tall models, which flatters the oversized look. Adjust expectations accordingly.

Brands I’d Recommend If You Love Waven

If Waven’s minimalist, slightly utilitarian aesthetic is your thing, these are the brands I send clients to time and time again.

High Street & Mid-Market

COS — The closest mainstream match to Waven’s Scandi cleanliness. Beautiful drape, considered cuts, and reliable sizing.
Massimo Dutti — For when you want the elevated, slightly tailored end of minimalism. Their denim is genuinely underrated.
Whistles — Soft tailoring and quietly clever cuts. A go-to for the grown-up version of the Waven look.
All Saints — The utilitarian edge with a London grit. Brilliant if you like the workwear side of Waven.
Levi — The denim cornerstone. For rigid, structured fits, the 501 and Ribcage cuts have similar bones to Waven’s denim.
Urban Outfitters — For the boxy tees, oversized shirts and skater-leaning silhouettes at a more accessible price.
Mango — Their minimalist line has been quietly excellent, particularly for slouchy trousers and clean knits.

Two Independents Worth Knowing

Won Hundred — A Danish independent that does denim and minimalist essentials beautifully. If Waven’s rigid jeans are your thing, you’ll fall hard for Won Hundred.
Hope Stockholm — Swedish, genderless, gorgeously cut. Boxy shirts, soft tailoring and a sense of proportion that feels grown-up rather than try-hard.

Premium

Citizens of Humanity — For premium denim with substance — a brilliant step up if Waven’s rigid jeans have got you hooked on proper structured fabric.
Paige — Their wide-leg and barrel cuts in particular share that same flattering, slightly architectural feel.

Luxury & Designer

Acne Studios — The Swedish heavyweight. Oversized denim, sculptural tailoring — basically Waven’s spiritual older sibling.
Totême — For the elevated, quiet-luxury, “I dress like a Stockholm editor” version of this whole aesthetic.

My Final Verdict on Waven Sizing

Waven is one of those brands worth taking a few minutes over before you order. The S/M/L system feels casual, but the brand’s split personality — oversized on top, structured on the bottom — means you really do need to think garment by garment rather than pick your default and hope. Get it right and it’s some of the best Scandi-style essentials you can buy in the UK. Get it wrong and you’re drowning. Measure first, size second, style third — in that order, every time.

Find Your Exact Waven Size in Seconds — Free on Tellar

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