Sizing
Why your dress size changes between brands (and how to buy anyway)
4 min read
You can be a 10 in one shop and a 14 in the next without your body changing at all. Clothing sizes are marketing, not measurement. Here's how to shop around that.
Sizes are labels; measurements are facts
Brands draft to a fit model, and every brand uses a different one. The number on the tag tells you where a garment sits in that brand's own range — nothing more.
The four numbers that actually predict fit are bust, waist, hip and, for anything fitted, your height or torso length.
Rough size conversions
As a starting point only — always confirm against the brand's chart:
- AU 8 ≈ UK 8 ≈ US 4 ≈ EU 36
- AU 10 ≈ UK 10 ≈ US 6 ≈ EU 38
- AU 12 ≈ UK 12 ≈ US 8 ≈ EU 40
- AU 14 ≈ UK 14 ≈ US 10 ≈ EU 42
- AU 16 ≈ UK 16 ≈ US 12 ≈ EU 44
Read fit, not just size
Fabric composition tells you how much give a garment has. Anything with 2–5% elastane will move with you; a rigid cotton or a woven satin will not.
Check the model's height and the size she's wearing, listed on most product pages — that's the fastest way to judge length on your own frame.
Use reviews for fit, not vibes
The most useful review on any dress is one that states the reviewer's usual size, the size ordered, and whether it ran big or small. That's exactly the format Coven reviews ask for.
Search it on Coven
Questions we get asked
Should I size up or down when I'm between sizes?
For structured or non-stretch fabrics, size up and have it taken in. For stretch fabrics and knits, your usual size usually still works.
Is vanity sizing real?
Yes. Many brands have gradually relabelled larger garments with smaller numbers over time, which is one reason sizes drift between labels and eras.