Why We'll Never Take Sponsors: The Honest Truth Behind Tellar's Independent Fashion Advice

We'll never take sponsors because the moment we do, we lose the ability to give you genuinely honest fashion advice—and that's exactly why the fashion industry needs more independence, not less. In a world where most style blogs quietly slip affiliate codes and sponsored posts into every recommendation, I'm here to tell you why Tellar operates differently, and why that matters when you're standing in a changing room wondering if those jeans actually suit you or if someone's just being paid to say they do.

The Uncomfortable Truth About Fashion Content

Let me be blunt: most fashion advice you read online is bought and paid for. I've worked in this industry long enough to see how it works. A brand slides into the inbox, offers a generous "partnership," and suddenly their overpriced basics are being touted as "must-haves" whilst genuinely brilliant pieces from brands like Arket (the Scandinavian minimalist brand that consistently delivers quality at fair prices) or Thought Clothing (the sustainable independent doing gorgeous organic cotton pieces) never get a mention because they're not paying to play.

Here's what happens when sponsorships creep in: that "best winter coat" guide stops being about which coat will actually keep you warm and starts being about which brand paid the most. The stylist who once loved Cos (known for their elevated basics and architectural cuts that wear beautifully) suddenly can't stop talking about a lesser brand because there's a commission involved. It's not always obvious, but once you know what to look for, you can't unsee it.

Why Your Shopping Decisions Deserve Better

When I'm styling clients, they trust me to tell them the truth. If those Reiss (the British brand that bridges high street and premium with impeccable tailoring) trousers don't work for their body shape, I say so. If Jigsaw (beloved for their modern British style and quality fabrics) is doing a better knit than a designer brand at three times the price, you need to know. If Whistles (the contemporary brand that nails understated elegance) has the perfect midi dress but their sizing runs small, that's crucial information.

But if I'm taking money from any of these brands, can you really trust my opinion? Even with the best intentions, sponsorship creates bias. Suddenly, I'm second-guessing whether to recommend Mango (the Spanish brand offering trend-led pieces with surprising quality) or the brand that's paying my bills this month. And you, trying to build a wardrobe that actually works, end up with purchases influenced by marketing budgets rather than merit.

The Freedom to Recommend What Actually Works

Independence means I can tell you that M&S (who've genuinely upped their game with their Autograph and Per Una lines) does brilliant cashmere at unbeatable prices, whilst also saying their regular range can be hit-or-miss. It means recommending H&M (surprisingly good for basics and their Premium range rivals mid-tier brands) for certain pieces whilst steering you away from their fast-fashion offerings that won't last.

I can champion small brands like ME+EM (the British brand that understands real women's bodies and creates pieces that actually fit properly) without worrying about upsetting a corporate sponsor. I can point you towards Zara (the go-to for trend pieces that look expensive but won't break the bank) for this season's blazer, then tell you to invest in Massimo Dutti (Zara's sophisticated sister brand offering better quality and timeless design) for pieces you'll keep for years.

What Real Style Advice Looks Like

Genuine fashion guidance isn't about pushing products—it's about understanding fit, quality, and value. It's knowing that Boden (the quintessentially British brand doing colourful, confident pieces) excels at dresses and knitwear but their denim isn't their strong suit. It's recognising that whilst luxury brands have their place, sometimes French Connection (once the height of cool, now offering excellent quality at accessible prices) or Hobbs (the workwear specialist with tailoring that holds its own against designer) delivers exactly what you need.

When I'm not beholden to sponsors, I can create a styling guide that mixes high street finds from Asos (the online giant with thousands of brands and sizes, perfect for unique pieces) with investment pieces, recommend the best jeans regardless of commission rates, and tell you when a trend isn't worth your money—even if a brand desperately wants me to promote it.

The Tellar Difference

This brings me to why Tellar exists. We created a platform that puts your needs first, not advertisers' budgets. Our sizing tool matches your body to over 1,500 brands because we genuinely want you to find clothes that fit, not because certain brands paid for priority placement. Our fashion advice is researched, honest, and completely unbiased—always.

Here's how Tellar works: You measure once using your bust, waist, hip measurements, or your existing brand size. Then you use our Store Size Lookup tool at tellar.co.uk/store-size-lookup to get your precise size in any brand—from Cos to Reiss, from Everlane to Arket and beyond. It's always free, with no downloads needed—it works straight in your browser.

Plus, there's the Tellar Fashion Hub—a library stacked with free posts from our top stylists. Honest. Unbiased. Independent and always free. We cover style advice, top picks, and the best brands for every scenario. Check out our guides like The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide, Jeans Trends 2026, the Ultimate Guide to Dresses & Best Buys, and our Ultimate Guide to Jackets & Best Buys.

What This Means for You

When you read Tellar content, you're getting the fashion equivalent of a brutally honest best friend. The one who'll tell you those trousers make your bum look flat, that the dress is lovely but overpriced, or that you absolutely need to try that jacket because it'll transform your wardrobe. No hidden agendas, no brands slipped in because they've paid for placement, no recommendations that serve anyone's interests but yours.

In an industry saturated with sponsored content and affiliate-driven advice, independence isn't just a nice-to-have—it's essential. Because your wardrobe, your budget, and your confidence deserve recommendations based on quality, fit, and value, not on who's paying the most for promotion. That's the Tellar promise, and it's why we'll never compromise our independence for sponsorship money.

Fashion should be honest, accessible, and genuinely helpful. And that's exactly what you'll get from us—every single time.