Why Do Boutique Sizes Run Different From Every Other Brand? A Reality Check
LalaHere's a fun fact nobody tells you before your first boutique order: the "Medium" you just bought might fit like a Small, a Large, or — this happens more than you'd think — perfectly fine, just to spite you. Unlike the mall brands you grew up with, boutique labels like Umgee, Zenana, BiBi, and Judy Blue aren't all cut from the same size chart. They're not even trying to match each other.
So instead of another vague "sizing varies, please measure yourself" disclaimer, here's what's actually true about the brands we carry — and why.
Why This Even Happens
Boutique brands aren't owned by one parent company with one size standard (unlike, say, every Gap-family brand fitting roughly the same). Each brand designs its own block pattern, sources its own fabric, and decides for itself what "Medium" means. Add in different fabric stretch percentages, different cut philosophies (relaxed vs. fitted), and you get a closet full of the same size label fitting five different ways.
The fix isn't "always size up" or "always size down" — it's knowing each brand's personality.
Umgee — Runs Generous & Relaxed
Umgee leans toward loose, flowy, boho-inspired silhouettes on purpose. Most tops and dresses are designed with drape in mind, not a snug fit — so if you're between sizes, sizing down is usually the safer bet unless you want extra room to layer.
Zenana — True to Size on Top, Runs Small on Bottom
This one trips people up constantly: Zenana tops and sweaters are generally true to size with a relaxed fit, but their bottoms and denim tend to run small. If you're ordering a Zenana top and bottoms together, don't assume the same size works for both.
BiBi — True to Size, Size Up if In Between
BiBi keeps things fairly predictable — most pieces run true to size. The main exception is when you're between two sizes: their fit tends to reward sizing up rather than down, especially on relaxed-fit layering pieces.
POL — Fit Varies by Fabric (Check the Details)
POL doesn't have one universal rule, because their pieces range from structured wovens to soft, drapey knits — and those behave completely differently on the body. A general starting point: true to size, but check the fabric content on each item, since anything with real stretch will be more forgiving than a rigid woven blouse.
👉 Shop POL
Judy Blue — Famous for Stretch, Usually Size Down
Judy Blue's whole reputation is built on serious stretch and recovery — the fabric hugs and bounces back instead of bagging out. Because of that, most shoppers in straight sizes end up sizing down one full size from their usual department store number. Plus sizes are a bit more consistent with true-to-size fit.
Kancan — Runs Smaller Than You'd Expect
Kancan denim has structure and a bit less give than Judy Blue, and it tends to run on the smaller, snugger side. If you're deciding between Kancan and another denim brand at the same "size," don't assume they're interchangeable — Kancan typically runs about a full size smaller than Risen, and closer to two sizes smaller than Judy Blue.
Risen — Structured Stretch, Mostly True to Size
Risen sits in the middle: more structured than Judy Blue's ultra-stretch, but still comfortable. Most styles run true to size, though boyfriend fits tend to allow a little extra room to size down if you want a snugger silhouette.
The One Rule That Actually Works Every Time
Read the product description before you buy. We include fit notes on individual listings when a specific style runs differently than the brand's usual pattern — because even within a brand, a stretchy knit top and a rigid woven blazer aren't going to behave the same way. Brand reputation gets you 80% of the way there; the product page gets you the rest.
Still unsure what size to grab? Contact us before you order — we'd rather help you get it right the first time than process a return.
Shop Whatlalaloves.com