Why the Same Dress Size Can Fit Differently Between Styles

There is no single sizing system that makes every size 12, 16 or XL identical across brands.

Different brands use their own sizing specifications and grading, while the garment itself also affects fit.

A relaxed linen dress may offer more room than a structured cotton dress in the same labelled size. A stretchy jersey pant will also behave differently from a rigid woven style.

The main factors include:

• Fabric: Soft, fluid and structured fabrics sit differently.
• Stretch: Stretch changes how much flexibility a garment offers.
• Silhouette: Relaxed, straight, A-line and fitted shapes provide different amounts of ease.
• Proportion: Bust room, waist placement, sleeve shape and length all affect fit.
• Brand sizing: Measurements and grading can vary between labels.

Merchandising & Styling Manager Saffron King explains:

‘It’s really not about the size on the garment – it’s how it feels on your body. Brands can size differently, so it’s okay to fluctuate between sizes.’

A size label is a starting point. The individual garment gives you more useful information.

What Blue Bungalow Does Differently

We assess sizing style by style rather than relying on a generic size chart alone.

Our team reports on:

• Key garment measurements
• Best Fits recommendations
• Fabric stretch
• Fabric weight
• How the style is intended to fit
• Customer feedback on whether it runs small, true to size or large

Key Measurements Behind a Better Fit

We are also improving how we collect and present this information, in particular garment measurements.

Our product team is moving towards a more standardised measurement process across styles, while capturing more measurements where they are useful.

Depending on the garment, that can include:

• Bust, waist and hip
• Thigh girth
• Front and back length
• Hem circumference
• Sleeve length and cuff
• Bicep width
• Bodice length

The benefit is simple: you get more relevant information about the parts of the garment that may affect fit.

Our Best Fits recommendation gives you a practical starting point for each style.

It is especially useful for products sold in letter sizing such as XS to 3XL.

To use it:

• Find your usual Australian size in the Best Fits row.
• Check which product size it corresponds with.
• Use that as your starting point.
• Compare the garment measurements with something similar you own.
• Check the stretch and fit information.

For example, an Australian size 16 might correspond with XL in one dress and L in another.

That can reflect the brand’s grading, the fabric or the intended silhouette.

Best Fits helps translate those differences into a more familiar Australian sizing reference.

What If You're Between Sizes?

If two sizes look possible, focus on the areas that matter most for that garment.

For a fitted dress, that may be the bust or hip. For a style with sleeves, bicep width may be important. A relaxed A-line dress may naturally allow more room.

Fabric also matters. A garment with stretch offers more flexibility than a structured non-stretch style.

Use the Best Fits recommendation, garment measurements and fabric information together rather than automatically sizing up.

If you would like individual guidance, our personal styling service can help with fit and sizing.