What Size Am I Really? Here’s How to Figure It Out (Without Losing Your Mind)

By Tellar.co.uk

URL: https://tellar.co.uk/clothing-size-guide-across-brands

Ever tried on the same size in two different stores… and one fits like a glove while the other barely gets past your knees?

Yeah. Us too.

Let’s be real: clothing sizes are a mess. Every brand has its own idea of what a “size 10” means, and shopping online often feels like a gamble. One that ends in returns, refunds, or a sad pile of stuff you never wear.

That’s why we built Tellar—to help you stop guessing and start finding the right size across brands. In this guide, we’re breaking down exactly how to know your true size no matter where you shop.

So, Why Are Sizes So All Over the Place?

Honestly? It’s not you—it’s the brands.

Here’s why:

1. There’s no one-size-fits-all sizing system

The UK, US, and EU all have different number systems. A UK 10 isn’t a US 10. And European sizes? Don’t get us started.

2. Brands tweak sizes to flatter you (or confuse you)

This is called vanity sizing. Some brands sneakily make their clothes a little bigger so you feel better when you “fit into a size 8” (even if it’s closer to a 10 or 12).

3. Fit and cut change everything

A flowy dress and a fitted top might both say size 12, but they won’t feel the same. Add stretchy fabrics, oversized fits, and different lengths—and things get complicated fast.

4. Factories and seasons aren’t always consistent

Even within the same brand, a size 10 in last season’s jeans might not match this season’s. It’s a rollercoaster.

Want to Know Your Real Size? Start With Your Measurements

Forget guessing. Knowing your actual measurements is the cheat code.

You really only need three numbers:

Bust (around your chest, at the fullest part)
Waist (where your body naturally curves in)
Hips (around the widest part of your bum and hips)

That’s it.

You can take them with a soft tape measure—or even a piece of string and a ruler if you’re DIYing it. Write them down in cm or inches, whatever you’re most comfortable with.

👉 Then plug them into your Tellar profile here:

https://tellar.co.uk/create-your-profile

Once that’s done, you’ll never have to wonder what size to get again.

Tellar Does the Size-Checking for You

This is where the magic happens.

When you’ve got your measurements saved, you can head to our Store Size Lookup and choose any brand—Zara, H&M, ASOS, whatever.

We instantly tell you what size matches your body for that store.

No charts, no guesswork, no crying in the returns queue.

Here’s what you get:

Your best size for that brand
Notes on how the store runs (small, large, true-to-size)
Optional unit conversion (CM ↔ Inches)
Ability to save your size history for future shops

Soon, we’ll even have a Chrome add-on that pops up your best size while you’re browsing online. Yup—zero effort.

How UK, US, and EU Sizes Compare

Not sure what a UK 10 is in US or EU terms?

Here’s a quick guide:

UK	US	EU
6	2	34
8	4	36
10	6	38
12	8	40
14	10	42
16	12	44

But heads up: these are just ballpark conversions. Different brands still size things differently—so we recommend checking using your Tellar profile instead. You can find full conversion tables here:

👉 https://tellar.co.uk/size-conversion-chart

Brand Breakdown: What Sizes Really Mean in Each Store

We’ve done the detective work so you don’t have to.

Here’s how some popular brands stack up:

👗 Zara

Runs small. Like, “oh wow this 12 fits like an 8” small.

→ Get the full breakdown: https://tellar.co.uk/zara-size-guide

👚 H&M

Completely depends on the item. Basics are roomy. Dresses? Not so much.

→ Check it out here: https://tellar.co.uk/hm-size-guide

👜 ASOS

Varies by sub-brand (ASOS DESIGN, COLLUSION, etc). You could be a 10 in one line and a 12 in another.

→ See our ASOS advice: https://tellar.co.uk/asos-size-guide

Your Body Shape Affects Fit Too (Even With the Same Measurements)

Measurements are a great start—but fit also depends on your shape and how clothes are designed.

A few things to think about:

Hourglass? You might need bigger sizes in hips than waist.
Pear-shaped? Look for items with stretch or A-line cuts.
Tall or petite? Length matters just as much as width.
Love a baggy look? You might size up, even if the smaller one technically fits.

Also, fabric makes a difference:

Stretchy = more forgiving
Rigid = you may want more room

We factor all of this into our size suggestions at Tellar—so you’re getting a recommendation that actually feels good to wear.

Stuck Between Two Sizes?

We’ve all been there. If you’re between sizes, here’s how to decide:

Want a fitted look? Try the smaller size (especially if it’s stretchy).
Want comfy and loose? Go bigger.
Not sure? Check the return policy first and maybe order both if you can.
Or just let Tellar guide you.

Quick Checklist for Getting the Right Fit Every Time ✅

Take your measurements
Make your free Tellar profile: https://tellar.co.uk/create-your-profile
Head to https://tellar.co.uk/store-size-lookup/
Choose a store, get your size
Shop with zero stress
Keep your profile updated as your body changes (we all change!)

Ready to Make Sizing Easy?

You’ve already done the hard part—realising that sizing is broken.

We’ve built a tool to help you shop smarter and feel better in your clothes.

No more guessing. No more sizing anxiety.

👉 Create your profile here

👉 Or jump straight to [Store Size Lookup](https://tellar.co.uk