The short answer: yes, several Shopise styles run small — especially bodycon and figure-hugging silhouettes. When in doubt, size up one size, measure your bust, waist, and hips before ordering, and always cross-reference the individual product size chart rather than relying on your usual size alone.
We hear you. Sizing anxiety is one of the biggest reasons shoppers hesitate before clicking "Add to Cart" — and we want to take that uncertainty off the table entirely. This guide breaks down exactly how our dresses and sets fit across different silhouettes, body types, and proportions, so you can order with confidence and spend less time worrying about returns.
Start Here: How to Take Your Measurements (the Right Way)
Before you look at a single size chart, grab a soft measuring tape. Sizing across fashion is notoriously inconsistent — what's a Medium at one brand is a Small at another — so your body measurements are always the most reliable starting point.
Not sure exactly where to hold it? Our step-by-step measurement guide shows you how to measure your bust, waist, and hips accurately.
The Three Measurements You Need
- Bust: Measure around the fullest part of your chest, keeping the tape parallel to the floor. Don't pull it tight — you want a snug but comfortable fit.
- Waist: Measure around the narrowest part of your natural waist, usually an inch or two above your belly button.
- Hips: Measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat, keeping the tape level all the way around.
Write all three down. You'll use each one depending on the silhouette — bodycon dresses are most sensitive to bust and hip, A-line styles hinge on the waist, and wide-leg pants or maxi skirts often need a hip check first.
The Golden Rule: Always Check the Individual Product Size Chart
Shopise carries a wide range of silhouettes — from relaxed linen sets to structured bodycon minis — and each style is cut differently. A size M in a flowy A-line dress will feel very different from a size M in a high-stretch ribbed bodycon. That's why we include a detailed size chart on every product page with exact inch measurements for bust, waist, and hips.
Don't skip it. Your usual size is a useful starting point, but the measurements are what actually tell you whether a specific cut will work for your body.
Which Styles Run Small — and What to Do About It
We're transparent about this on our product pages, and we'll be just as clear here: some of our styles do run small, particularly those with a close, figure-hugging fit or structured bodice construction.
If the bust is where you keep running into trouble, our guide to non-removable padding and sizing mismatches breaks down how to fix it.
Bodycon and Bandage-Style Dresses
Styles with strategic seaming, bandage-style panels, or high-stretch ribbed fabric are designed to contour the body closely. If you're between sizes in these silhouettes, size up. The stretch will accommodate, and you'll get the sculpted look without feeling restricted.
Knitted and Fitted Mini Dresses
Our knitted mini dresses are cut for a figure-hugging silhouette. The Contrast Hem Ruffle Long Sleeve Knitted Mini Dress, for example, explicitly notes on its product page that it runs small — size up if you're on the fence. The same applies to the Vivienne Knit Mini Dress: when a knit fabric is cut close to the body, there's less ease built in, so erring larger gives you the right fit without the squeeze.
Satin and Bodycon Silhouettes
Not all satin styles run small — it depends on the cut. The Arlene Two-Piece Satin Set, for instance, features a relaxed strapless top and wide-leg pants designed to skim the body rather than cling, making it a more forgiving fit overall. Compare that to a sleek midi satin dress with a figure-enhancing silhouette, where your exact measurements matter more. Always check the individual size chart.
Lace and Bodycon Mini Dresses
The Coco Mini Dress is a high mock neck bodycon in eyelash lace — it's designed for a close, hourglass fit, and the product page is upfront: if you're between sizes, size up. The same principle applies to the Eveline Mini Dress, which pairs a fitted bodycon cut with off-shoulder detailing and lace paneling.
A-Line and Flowy Styles
Our A-line minis, midi dresses, and maxi styles tend to have more ease built in and are generally more true to size. Styles like the Melanie A-Line Maxi Dress and the Celeste Dress feature relaxed, flowing silhouettes where the fit is less critical at every measurement point. Still check the size chart — but these are styles where your usual size is more likely to work.
A Note on Bust Fit and Built-In Padding
Several of our dresses include built-in bust padding or a structured bodice. This is something we want to be fully upfront about, because it affects sizing decisions differently depending on your chest size.
- If you have a smaller bust: The built-in padding provides shape and support without needing a separate bra — which is exactly what it's designed for. Stick to your measured size.
- If you have a larger bust: The structured bodice or padding may feel snug at your true size. In this case, size up based on your bust measurement and check whether the waist and hip measurements still work — if they do, you're good. If the dress has adjustable straps, these can also help fine-tune the fit at the top.
We know that removable or adjustable bust padding is something many shoppers prefer, and it's feedback we take seriously as we develop new styles. In the meantime, the best approach is to size for your bust first on any style with a structured bodice, then assess from there.
Fit Tips for Petite Shoppers
If you're under 5'3", proportions matter as much as measurements. A few things to keep in mind when shopping Shopise:
- Midi-length dresses may hit closer to maxi length on a petite frame — check the listed length in inches against your own torso-to-floor measurement.
- Mini dresses tend to be the most petite-friendly in terms of overall length, though the shoulder-to-waist drop can still feel long. Look for styles with adjustable straps or a smocked bodice, which naturally adjusts to your torso length.
- Two-piece sets are often a great option for petite shoppers because you can size the top and bottom independently — helpful if your waist and hips are proportionally different.
- Maxi skirts and dresses: check the listed length carefully. Many of our maxis are designed for a model around 5'8"–5'10", so on a shorter frame they'll pool at the floor — factor in whether you're happy to wear heels or plan to hem.
The Everette Dress in Pink is a good petite-friendly pick — its smocked bodice self-adjusts to your torso, and the midi length hits at a flattering point on shorter frames.
Fit Tips for Taller Shoppers
If you're 5'9" and above, length is your main consideration. Our model details on each product page include the model's height (typically 5'7"–5'11") and the size she's wearing — use this as a reference point. If the model is 5'8" and the dress hits mid-thigh on her, it'll likely sit higher on you.
- Mini dresses will be shorter on taller frames — keep that in mind if you prefer more coverage.
- Maxi and midi dresses are generally your friends — they're cut with length in mind and tend to hit at a flattering point on taller women.
- Bodycon styles: sizing up for length isn't always an option with a close fit, so check the listed length in inches and compare it to your own body measurements.
Sequin and Party Styles: Sizing Notes
Party and occasion styles like the Anna Halter-Neck Sequin Mini Dress and the Lilia Mini Sequin Dress feature body-skimming fits with light-stretch linings. These styles are designed to contour, so measure your bust and hips carefully and size up if you're between sizes — you want the sequins to lie flat, not pull.
Fabric Transparency: What to Know Before You Order
Some of our styles feature sheer or see-through panels as a deliberate design detail — the See-Through Lace Mock Neck Long Sleeve Dress, for example, is entirely sheer lace from the mock neck down, and the product page makes this explicit (black bottoms not included).
We're committed to being clearer about sheerness across all our listings — if a fabric has any see-through quality, that should be front and centre in the product description and photos. If you ever have a question about a specific style's opacity before ordering, reach out to us directly and we'll give you a straight answer.
Our Quick-Reference Sizing Rules
- Always measure bust, waist, and hips before ordering — your usual size is a starting point, not a guarantee.
- Size up if you're between sizes — especially on bodycon, knitted, and bandage-style silhouettes.
- Size for your bust first on any style with a structured bodice or built-in padding.
- Check the model's height on the product page and compare it to yours to gauge how length will translate.
- Two-piece sets let you mix sizes — take advantage of that if your top and bottom measurements fall in different size brackets.
- Read the fit notes on each product page — if a style runs small, we say so explicitly.
Still Unsure? We're Here to Help
If you're genuinely torn between two sizes, or you have a specific body proportion question — longer torso, fuller hips, petite frame — don't guess. Reach out to us before you order. We'd rather spend five minutes helping you find the right size than have you deal with a return.
And if something doesn't fit the way you expected, check our returns policy. We want every Shopise piece to feel as good as it looks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Shopise dresses run small?
Some do, yes — particularly bodycon, knitted, and bandage-style silhouettes. Several product pages (including the Contrast Hem Ruffle Knitted Mini Dress and the Adeline Dress) explicitly note that the style runs small and recommend sizing up. Always check the individual product size chart and measure your bust, waist, and hips before ordering.
How do I know which size to order?
Measure your bust, waist, and hips with a soft tape measure, then compare your measurements to the size chart on the specific product page you're ordering from. Don't rely solely on your usual size — the fit varies by silhouette and fabric.
What if I'm between sizes?
Size up, especially on figure-hugging styles. On relaxed or A-line silhouettes, your smaller size will often work fine. When in doubt, the product page fit notes will tell you which way to go.
Does Shopise offer petite sizing?
We don't currently offer dedicated petite sizing. If you're under 5'3", we recommend checking the listed dress length in inches against your own measurements, and favouring styles with smocked bodices (which self-adjust to torso length) or two-piece sets (which let you size the top and bottom independently).
I have a larger bust — how should I size?
Size to your bust measurement first on any style with a structured bodice or built-in padding. If that puts you in a larger size than your waist would suggest, check whether the waist measurement still works — on styles with adjustable straps or a smocked bodice, there's more room to fine-tune the fit.
Can the bust padding be removed?
On most of our current styles, the bust padding is built in and not removable. We know this is something many shoppers prefer to have control over, and it's something we're actively considering for future styles. In the meantime, sizing to your bust measurement is the best way to ensure the bodice fits correctly.
Are any Shopise dresses see-through?
Some styles feature sheer or lace panels as a deliberate design detail — the See-Through Lace Mock Neck Long Sleeve Dress is fully sheer by design, for example. We aim to make this clear on every product page. If you're unsure about a specific style's opacity, contact us before ordering and we'll give you a straight answer.
Does Shopise offer plus sizes?
Most of our styles currently go up to XL (US size 12). We're aware there's real demand for extended sizing, and it's something we're working toward. If you're shopping at the top of our size range, check the XL measurements carefully against your own — and feel free to reach out if you have questions about a specific style's stretch or ease.
How do I size for a two-piece set?
Two-piece sets are one of the best options if your top and bottom measurements fall in different size brackets, because you can size each piece independently. Check the size chart for both the top and the bottoms separately, and measure your bust for the top and your hips/waist for the skirt or pants.