The Short Answer: How to Get Your Shopise Size Right
Measure your bust, waist, and hips in inches, compare all three to the size chart for the specific dress you want, and — when in doubt — size up. Several Shopise silhouettes are designed to fit close to the body, and going one size larger almost always gives a more comfortable, flattering result than squeezing into your usual size.
That's the quick version. Keep reading for the full picture: exactly how to take your measurements, what each silhouette type does to your proportions, which styles have built-in bust structure, and honest notes on fit for petite and curvier frames.
And if you're shopping our extended sizes, the new XL–3X+ plus-size collection follows the exact same measurement logic.
Why Getting Your Measurements Right Matters More Than Your "Usual Size"
Clothing sizing is not standardised across brands — or even across styles within the same brand. A size M in a relaxed linen co-ord will fit very differently from a size M in a bandage-style bodycon dress, even if both are made by the same label. At Shopise, our range spans everything from flowy boho maxis to sculpted satin bodycons, and each silhouette has its own fit logic.
The single most effective thing you can do before ordering is take three measurements: bust, waist, and hips. Then check them against the size chart on the product page — not just one number, but all three. If your measurements fall between sizes, or if one measurement lands in a larger size than another, the notes below will help you decide which way to go.
How to Measure Yourself: Step-by-Step
You'll need a soft fabric measuring tape (a piece of string and a ruler also work). Measure over your underwear or a thin fitted top — not over bulky clothing. Stand naturally, don't hold your breath, and keep the tape parallel to the floor.
Bust
Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest, across your nipple line. Keep it snug but not tight — you should be able to slide two fingers underneath. This is your bust measurement.
Waist
Find the narrowest part of your torso, usually an inch or two above your belly button. Measure there. If you're not sure where your natural waist is, bend to one side — the crease that forms is your natural waistline.
Hips
Stand with your feet together and measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat, usually 7–9 inches below your natural waist. This is the measurement most often overlooked — and the one that matters most for bodycon and fitted midi styles.
Height & Torso Length
For maxi and midi dresses especially, your height matters. Each product page lists the model's height so you can gauge how a hemline will fall on your frame. If you're under 5'3" or over 5'10", pay close attention to the length notes in each section below.
If you're on the petite side, our guide to petite dress lengths and sizing explains how to translate your height into the right hemline for midi and maxi styles.
Reading the Shopise Size Chart: What Each Column Means
Every dress and set on the Shopise site has its own size chart in the product listing. Here's how to read it:
- Bust (Inches): The garment measurement at the chest — not your body measurement. For stretch fabrics, the garment can comfortably stretch 2–4 inches beyond the listed number. For woven or structured fabrics, treat the number as a maximum.
- Waist (Inches): The garment measurement at the narrowest point. Cinched waists on A-line and fit-and-flare styles have less give than elasticated waistbands.
- Length (Inches): Measured from the highest point of the garment (shoulder seam or top of the bustier) to the hem. Use this alongside your own torso length to predict where the hemline will sit.
- Hip (Inches): Listed where relevant — particularly important for bodycon, bandage, and fitted midi styles.
A quick rule: if your body measurement is at or near the top of a size range, go up. If your measurements fall in different size brackets (e.g., your bust is an S but your hips are an M), choose the larger size and use a belt or tie detail to adjust the waist if needed.
Fit Notes by Silhouette
Different dress shapes have different fit priorities. Here's what to know before you order each type.
Bodycon & Bandage Dresses
These styles are designed to sit close to every curve. The fabric has high stretch, but the fit is intentionally snug. If you're between sizes, size up — you'll still get the sculpted silhouette, and you'll be able to breathe and move comfortably all evening.
The Angelina Dress, for example, uses bandage-style seaming to create a figure-flattering shape. The model is 5'8" with a 25" waist, 34" hips, and a 34" bust, wearing a size S. If your measurements are at the higher end of S, consider an M for ease of movement.
Similarly, the Lilian Mini Dress and the Lilia Mini Sequin Dress are close-fitting styles — measure your hips carefully and prioritise that number when choosing your size.
Fit tip for bodycon styles: If the dress has a back zip, your hip measurement is your most important guide. The zip needs to close over the fullest part of your hips without pulling.
A-Line & Fit-and-Flare Dresses
These styles cinch at the waist and flare out over the hips, which makes them forgiving for a wider range of body shapes. Your waist measurement is the key number here — the skirt will accommodate most hip sizes once the waist fits correctly.
The Eveline Mini Dress features a bodycon cut with flared lace sleeves and vertical lace panelling — it's fitted through the torso, so measure your waist and bust carefully. The model is 5'8" wearing a size S.
The Melanie A-Line Maxi Dress has a more relaxed A-line cut — your waist measurement is still the priority, but there's more room through the skirt for curvier hips.
Maxi Dresses with Built-In Bustier
Several Shopise maxi styles — including the Astraea Dress and the Lilian Halter Neck Midi Satin Dress — feature a built-in bustier top with thin adjustable straps. These provide real structure and support, which is great news if you want to skip a separate bra.
Important note on built-in bust padding: The padding in structured bodices is fixed — it cannot be removed. If you have a smaller bust, the cups may feel slightly large; if you have a fuller bust, you may need to size up so the cups sit correctly. We recommend checking the garment's bust measurement against your own and erring on the side of the larger size if you're between brackets. The adjustable straps can compensate for some variation in torso length.
Corset & Smocked Bodice Styles
Corset-style dresses like the Dana Dress have a structured, boned or semi-boned bodice that sculpts the waist. These run true to the size chart, but the bodice has very little give — measure your waist and bust, and if either measurement is at the top of a size range, go up.
Smocked bodices (like the Everette Dress in Pink) are the opposite — the elasticated smocking stretches generously, making these styles more forgiving. Even so, measure your bust and waist first, because the smocking has a natural resting width that looks best when it's not fully stretched out.
Satin & Slip-Style Dresses
Satin and slip dresses drape rather than stretch. They're cut to skim the body, and the fit is more dependent on the garment's cut dimensions than on fabric give. Measure all three — bust, waist, and hips — and match to the size chart carefully.
The Arlene Two-Piece Satin Set features a strapless relaxed-fit top and full-length wide-leg pants. The top is designed to drape rather than cling, so sizing is more forgiving — but check the waist measurement on the pants carefully, as the wide-leg cut looks best when the waist sits correctly.
Two-Piece Sets & Co-Ords
Two-piece sets can be tricky because the top and bottom may fit differently on your body. Our sets are sold as a complete set in one size, so use your largest measurement to choose your size — then style accordingly. A belt or tie detail on the top can help define the waist if the set runs slightly loose on your torso.
For the Aria Linen Set and the Colette Linen Two-Piece Long Sleeve Set, the relaxed linen construction gives more room — these are styles where sizing to your usual size or even down is reasonable if you prefer a more fitted look.
Mini Dresses with Pleated or Flared Skirts
Styles like the Emma Tennis Dress and the Vivienne Knit Mini Dress have a fitted bodice that flares into a pleated or flared skirt. The bodice fit is the critical measurement — check your bust and waist against the chart. The skirt will accommodate most hip sizes once the bodice fits correctly.
Sequin & Occasion Dresses
Sequin dresses tend to have a lining that does most of the fitting work. The outer sequin layer adds a small amount of structure but doesn't stretch significantly. Measure carefully and don't assume sequin fabric will give the way a knit will.
The Anna Halter-Neck Sequin Mini Dress has a light-stretch lining and a body-skimming fit. The model is 5'9" wearing a size S. If you're between S and M, go with M for ease of movement on the dance floor.
Lace & Sheer-Panel Styles
Some Shopise styles incorporate lace or sheer fabric panels as a design feature. The See-through Lace Mock Neck Long Sleeve Dress, for example, is intentionally floor-length and fully sheer in lace — this is part of the design. The product listing notes that black bottoms are not included.
Where a dress has sheer or semi-sheer panels, we aim to call this out clearly in the product description. If you're ever unsure about a fabric's opacity, reach out to us before ordering — we're happy to share more detail.
Specific Styles That Run Small: Size Up Here
Based on the fit notes on each product page, the following styles are flagged as running small or are recommended to size up:
- The Adeline Dress in Butter Yellow — the product page explicitly notes this dress tends to run small; consider sizing up if in doubt.
- The Contrast Hem Ruffle Long Sleeve Knitted Mini Dress — also noted as running small on the product page; size up if between sizes.
- The Emma Tennis Dress / Emma Dress in Black — the product page advises sizing up if between sizes.
- The Coco Mini Dress — if between sizes, size up for a comfortable hourglass fit.
- Any bodycon or bandage-style dress where your measurements are at the top of a size bracket — always go up.
Fit Notes for Petite Frames (Under 5'3")
Petite shoppers often find that dresses designed for a 5'7"–5'9" model hit differently on a shorter frame — the shoulder-to-waist length can feel long, and midi hemlines may land closer to the ankle. Here's how to navigate this:
- Mini dresses will typically fall at or below the knee on a petite frame, giving more of a midi effect. If you want a true mini, this can actually work in your favour.
- Midi dresses may hit at or near the ankle on frames under 5'3". Check the length in inches on the product page and compare to your own floor-to-waist and floor-to-knee measurements.
- Maxi dresses will almost certainly need to be worn with heels or hemmed. Check the length measurement carefully — styles with a high slit can be easier to wear at full length on a petite frame.
- Smocked and elasticated bodices are generally more petite-friendly because the waist placement adjusts to your body rather than being fixed by a seam.
- For two-piece sets, the separate top and skirt/pant construction means you can tuck, tie, or adjust each piece independently — often a more flexible option for petite frames than a one-piece dress.
We currently offer sizes S through XL across most styles. If you're petite and unsure, please reach out — we can share the exact length in inches for any style so you can compare against your own measurements before ordering.
Fit Notes for Taller Frames (5'10" and Above)
Taller shoppers may find that mini dresses are shorter than expected, and midi styles land above the knee rather than at mid-calf. A few things to keep in mind:
- Check the dress length in inches on the product page and compare to your own floor-to-waist measurement. This will give you a realistic picture of where the hem will fall.
- Styles with a high slit — like the Selene Dress — can work beautifully on taller frames, as the slit adds length and movement.
- Maxi dresses with adjustable straps give you more flexibility to customise the torso length.
- Several of our model details feature women at 5'9"–5'11", so you have a realistic reference point for how each style will proportion on a taller frame.
Understanding the US Size Conversion
Shopise uses a letter-size system (XS, S, M, L, XL) that maps to US numeric sizes as follows for most styles:
- S → US size 4
- M → US size 6
- L → US size 8–10
- XL → US size 12
These conversions are confirmed on product pages like the Olivia Two-Piece Set. Always cross-reference with the inch measurements on the individual size chart rather than relying on the letter or US size alone — your measurements are the most reliable guide.
A Note on Sizing for Curvier Busts
Several Shopise styles — particularly those with structured bodices, built-in cups, or bandeau-style tops — are designed with a specific cup volume in mind. If you have a fuller bust (typically 36C and above), you may find that the bodice fits your cup size but the back or waist feels tight, or vice versa. In these cases:
- Size to your bust measurement first, then assess the waist fit. A belt or tie can help define the waist if the bodice is slightly loose there.
- For styles with built-in padding, note that the padding is fixed and non-removable. If you prefer to wear your own bra or go without padding, look for styles without built-in cups — such as the Mila Dress, which the product page notes has no underwire or padding in the top.
- The Lisa Dress in Red product page specifically calls out: "Curvy customers please pay attention to bust measurements in the size chart below." This is good advice to apply across all fitted styles.
How to Use Model Details to Predict Your Fit
Every Shopise product page lists the model's height, waist, hip, and bust measurements alongside the size she's wearing. This is one of the most useful tools available to you. Here's how to use it:
- Find the model's measurement that is closest to yours (e.g., you both have a 27" waist).
- Check whether your other measurements are larger or smaller than hers.
- If your bust or hips are larger than the model's, consider sizing up even if your waist matches her size.
- If you're significantly shorter or taller than the model, use the dress length in inches to calculate where the hem will fall on your frame.
For example, the Celeste Dress model is 5'8" wearing a size S. If you're 5'4" with similar measurements, the A-line maxi skirt will fall longer on you — which may be exactly what you want, or may mean you'd prefer to wear it with heels.
Sizing for Sets: The Ginny Shirt + Skirt Set
Co-ord sets like The Ginny Shirt + Skirt Set are sold as a complete set in one size. The shirt has a fitted design with a crisp collar, and the pleated mini skirt is designed to sit at the waist. Use your waist measurement as the primary guide for the skirt, and your bust measurement for the shirt. If these land in different sizes, go with the larger of the two.
Quick Reference: Size-Up Checklist
Ask yourself these questions before confirming your size:
- Are any of my measurements (bust, waist, hips) at the very top of a size bracket? → Size up.
- Is the style described as bodycon, bandage, or figure-hugging? → When in doubt, size up.
- Does the product page specifically say "runs small" or "consider sizing up"? → Size up.
- Am I between two sizes on the chart? → Size up.
- Is the style a structured satin or woven fabric with minimal stretch? → Be precise with measurements; size up if unsure.
- Does the style have a built-in bustier or fixed padding? → Check the garment bust measurement against your own; size to your bust first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I measure my bust correctly for a Shopise dress?
Wrap a soft measuring tape around the fullest part of your chest — across the nipple line — keeping it snug but not tight. This is your bust measurement. Compare it to the garment bust measurement listed in the size chart on the product page. For stretch fabrics, the garment can accommodate 2–4 inches of stretch; for woven or structured fab