Retailer sizing · UK womenswear

Roman sizing guide — is it true to size?

Short answer: Roman is cut generously — noticeably roomier than most shops. We read Roman's own published size chart in centimetres and compared it with Yours Clothing and Dorothy Perkins. At UK 16, Roman's waist is 97 cm — a full 10 cm wider than Yours' 87 cm for the same labelled size.

Roman's real size chart (UK 16–30)

Every figure below is read directly from Roman's published size guide, in centimetres. This is what the label actually means when you order.

Source: roman.co.uk/size-guide, read 2026-10-09. Roman publishes a shorter published range than some competitors — the sizes above are those on their guide.

How a UK 16 compares across shops

This is where it matters most. The label "16" hides a 10 cm difference on the waist between these retailers.

What this means practically: if your waist measures 88 cm, you are a comfortable UK 16 at Yours and Dorothy Perkins — but at Roman that same waist sits closer to a UK 14. If you normally take a 16 elsewhere, Roman may feel loose on the waist.

Is Roman true to size?

Roman runs generously. On the waist it is the roomiest of the three we compared — 10 cm wider than Yours or Dorothy Perkins at UK 16. Its bust is also the largest at that size (107.5 cm vs 102 cm at Yours).

If you are ordering from Roman using a size you wear at a fitted brand, the honest expectation is that Roman will feel looser. Many shoppers who are between sizes find they take the smaller of the two at Roman. One note: Roman publishes a shorter range here (UK 16–30), so at the very top of the curve range, Yours (to UK 32) may cover more.

How to use this when you order from Roman

1. Measure your bust, waist and hips — do not go by a size you wore elsewhere.
2. Match against the numbers above. Find the size whose measurements are closest.
3. If you are between two sizes at Roman, the roomier cut means the smaller size is often the better bet — unless the garment is fitted at the waist.
4. Check the specific item's chart too. Retailers state that cuts vary within their own range.

Where this data comes from

Every figure is read directly from each retailer's own published size guide, in centimetres. Only retailers whose charts we could read appear here. Where a shop blocks access, we do not guess. This page was last checked on 9 October 2026.