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Does No.21 Run Big or Small? Sizing Guide & What to Buy

Author: Stylist and brand team at Tellar

Date: 2025

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Luxury Italian Fit Guide | Tellar.co.uk


Tailored Meets Edgy: But What’s the Fit Like at No.21?

No.21 — or Numero Ventuno — is the cult Milanese label founded by Alessandro Dell’Acqua. It’s known for mixing masculine tailoring with feminine elements: think sequinned skirts styled with oversized shirts, or clean-cut blazers paired with sheer knits. Loved by fashion editors and minimalist dressers alike, the brand sits at the intersection of runway polish and modern wearability.

But if you’re shopping online, one issue still causes hesitation:

Does No.21 run big or small?

🧵 Want your fit matched in seconds? Create your free profile at Tellar.co.uk and instantly discover your correct No.21 size — plus your size in 1,500+ fashion brands. One-time setup, always free, and includes a printable measuring tape. We’ve analysed every single brand’s size data — so you never have to guess again.


No.21 Sizing: Runs Small in Most Tailored & Fitted Pieces

No.21’s aesthetic favours structure, precision and Italian cuts — which often means slimmer shoulders, narrower sleeves, and tighter waists. Across both men’s and women’s collections, many pieces run small, particularly in blazers, trousers, and buttoned styles.

Women’s Fit Overview

  • Shirts & Blouses: Often run small, especially through the shoulders and chest. Size up for comfort.

  • Tailored Dresses: Sleek but fitted — size up if curvier through the hips or bust.

  • Trousers & Skirts: High-waisted and narrow, especially in woven fabrics. Slim through the hips.

  • Oversized Jumpers & Knits: Designed to be loose — true to size, occasionally generous.

Men’s Fit Overview

  • Tailored Shirts & Blazers: Slim Italian fit — runs small for most UK builds.

  • Trousers: Fitted at the waist and thigh. Size up for more relaxed leg lines.

  • T-Shirts & Sweatshirts: Usually true to size, but often short in length.

🎯 Find your exact No.21 size right now using Tellar’s instant lookup tool


Why No.21 May Feel Smaller Than Expected

There are three reasons shoppers often find No.21 tighter than expected:

  1. Italian sizing — closer to EU fit conventions than UK vanity sizing

  2. Tailoring DNA — much of the collection draws from traditional menswear cuts

  3. Use of structured fabrics — many styles use satin, poplin, wool, or gabardine with no stretch

That means even items that look fluid on the model may feel close-fitting in real life.

📏 Set up your Tellar profile and download your free measuring tape to get your fit sorted in 60 seconds


Tellar Community Fit Feedback

Item Type

Runs Small

True to Size

Runs Large

Women’s Shirts

Tailored Dresses

Blazers & Coats

Knitwear

Men’s Trousers

🧵 Related Tellar.co.uk sizing guides for similar brands:


What’s Worth Buying from No.21?

1. Structured Shirts & Oversized Poplins

Clean lines and crisp cottons. Size up in traditional styles. For oversized pieces, true to size.

2. Tailored Dresses with Unexpected Detailing

Often fitted and architectural. If you have a fuller bust or hips, size up for comfort.

3. Coats & Wool Blazers

Beautifully tailored with sharp lines. Go up a size if layering or if you have broad shoulders.

4. Knitwear & Pullovers

These tend to be more relaxed and true to size, particularly in mohair or cashmere blends.

5. Embellished Skirts & Evening Trousers

Signature No.21 — strong shapes and luxe finishes. Slim through the hip, so size up if needed.

🧵 Use Tellar.co.uk to instantly compare your No.21 size to other brands you already wear


Key Fit Tips for No.21 Buyers

  • Structured = size up: any garment made of satin, poplin, or suiting will run slim

  • Watch the shoulders: women’s shirts and dresses are cut narrow through the back

  • Double-check length: men’s tees and some trousers run shorter than expected

  • Oversized doesn’t mean generous: many pieces look oversized but still fit tight at pressure points

🎯 Tellar.co.uk gives you instant size accuracy based on your real body — no guesswork, no returns


Why Tellar.co.uk Is Essential for Buying No.21

Designer labels like No.21 don’t follow standard UK sizing. And with luxury pricing, a sizing mistake can be costly. That’s why Tellar.co.uk helps you shop smarter:

  • ✅ Real-world sizing mapped to your body measurements

  • ✅ One-time setup = access to 1,500+ brand fits instantly

  • ✅ Built-in size conversion for UK / EU / IT / US

  • ✅ Always free to use — no login needed to view your results

  • ✅ Free printable measuring tape included

🧵 Create your Tellar profile now and check your No.21 size instantly


Related Brand Fit Guides You’ll Love

📲 For expert fit breakdowns and daily style tips, follow us:


Final Verdict: Does No.21 Run Big or Small?

  • Shirts, dresses and tailored items run small

  • Trousers and skirts are slim-cut, especially at the waist and hips

  • Knitwear and oversized styles are more forgiving

  • Sizing up is often the safe choice, especially in fitted pieces

Still unsure? Don’t rely on assumptions — let Tellar.co.uk give you real-time accuracy, tailored to your measurements.


📣 Final CTA

Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.

Only at Tellar.co.uk — the UK’s leading clothing size tool.

You said:

and another for Orla Kiely ( change the text to find your size in thousands of brands) as this post last for years and we are growing our brand count daily!)

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Absolutely! Here's your complete 1200-word pillar post for Orla Kiely, written to Tellar.co.uk’s editorial standards — including updated CTA language ("find your size in thousands of brands"), evergreen positioning, and relevant backlinks.


Does Orla Kiely Run Big or Small? Full Sizing Guide & What to Buy

Timeless Fit Breakdown | Tellar.co.uk


Iconic Prints, Retro Shapes — But Does Orla Kiely Sizing Run True?

Orla Kiely has become one of the UK’s most recognisable design names. Known for her bold retro florals, playful palettes, and 1960s-inspired silhouettes, she brings a unique aesthetic to fashion and accessories alike. Whether you’re shopping for a printed shift dress or a signature jacquard coat, one question always comes up:

Does Orla Kiely run big or small?

🧵 Want to know your exact fit? Create your free profile at Tellar.co.uk and find your best size in thousands of brands. One quick setup, always free to use — no catches. Includes a printable measuring tape. We've analysed every brand's size data, including Orla Kiely, to give you a precise, real-world match.


Orla Kiely Sizing: Generally True to Size, with a Retro Fit

Orla Kiely's sizing reflects her vintage aesthetic — think structured cuts, modest lengths, and modest shoulders. The result? True to size for most UK shoppers, though fitted pieces and high-neck styles may feel snug if you’re broad-shouldered or curvier in the bust.

Women’s Fit Overview

  • Shift Dresses: True to size with clean, straight silhouettes. Some run slightly snug in the chest or upper arms — size up if in-between.

  • Knitwear & Cardigans: Relaxed and forgiving — true to size or slightly generous.

  • Coats & Outerwear: Tailored but not tight. Usually true to size, but check shoulder width.

  • Tops & Blouses: Slightly structured in woven fabrics, so size up if you prefer ease through the shoulders.

🎯 Instantly check your Orla Kiely size at Tellar.co.uk


Fabric & Fit: What Affects Orla Kiely Sizing?

Orla Kiely’s fashion collections are made with:

  • Woven cotton blends – structured and retro, little to no stretch

  • Wool blend outerwear – tailored and durable

  • Light viscose and crepe – smooth but fitted

  • Knitted fabrics – more relaxed and breathable

These retro-inspired cuts tend to have higher necklines and fitted armholes, so upper body measurements matter more than in modern relaxed-fit pieces.

📏 Download your free Tellar measuring tape and set up your profile now — it takes 60 seconds.


Real Sizing Feedback From Tellar.co.uk Shoppers

Item Type

Runs Small

True to Size

Runs Large

Shift Dresses

Coats

Knitwear

Tops & Blouses

🧵 Looking at other vintage-inspired brands? You might like:


What’s Worth Buying from Orla Kiely?

1. Signature Shift Dresses

Available in block prints and graphic florals, these are retro staples. Size up if you have a fuller bust or broader shoulders.

2. Jacquard or Wool Coats

Instantly recognisable silhouettes, often mid-thigh length and true to size. Great for layering over knitwear.

3. Printed Blouses

With Peter Pan collars and crisp collars, these run slightly fitted. Size up for a more relaxed feel.

4. Tights, Scarves & Accessories

One size fits most. Iconic prints, easy gifting options, and low risk for sizing issues.

🧥 Find your fit in Orla Kiely and thousands of brands at Tellar.co.uk


Sizing Tips for Orla Kiely Buyers

  • If between sizes in dresses or coats, size up — especially for layering room or bust comfort

  • Don’t expect stretch in most woven pieces — structured fits reflect vintage tailoring

  • Arm and shoulder width matter more than usual due to retro sleeve cuts

  • Length is modest — ideal for mid-height to tall wearers, but petites may require tailoring

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Why Tellar.co.uk Is Essential for Buying Orla Kiely

Orla Kiely pieces are often seasonal, made in limited quantities, and timeless enough to wear for years. So getting the right size first time saves time, returns, and disappointment.

That’s where Tellar.co.uk comes in:

  • ✅ One-time setup with your real measurements

  • ✅ Free printable measuring tape included

  • ✅ Instant results across thousands of brands

  • ✅ No need to guess between UK, EU or US sizes

  • ✅ Always free — no subscription or login required to view results

🧵 Get your Orla Kiely fit right now — and use it for all future shopping


Related Fit Guides You’ll Love

If you love Orla Kiely, you’re likely drawn to feminine, structured, timeless styles. Here are some other fit guides worth checking:

📱 Stay in the know:


Final Verdict: Does Orla Kiely Run Big or Small?

  • Dresses and tops run true to size, but may feel snug in the bust or shoulders

  • Coats and outerwear fit well, with room for light layers

  • Knitwear tends to be forgiving, great for gifting or easy-wear

  • Curvier or broader shoppers should size up in fitted silhouettes or woven fabrics

🎯 Use Tellar.co.uk to get your exact fit now — in Orla Kiely and thousands more brands


Conclusion

Find your size in thousands of brands, real-time. It’s free & easy.

Only at Tellar.co.uk — the UK’s most accurate sizing platform.

Does No.21 Run Big or Small? Sizing Guide & What to Buy