Eileen Fisher Sizing: Does Eileen Fisher Run Small, Big or True to Size?

Eileen Fisher tends to fit generously, so the brand recommends that first-time shoppers size down; petite customers should order their usual size. The Eileen Fisher size chart covers XXS through 3X and includes petite measurements, while the fit guide separates Boxy, Easy and Slim silhouettes rather than treating them as synonyms. That distinction matters because the Nordstrom Kick Pants and Check Print Wide Leg Ankle Pants are both described as large and oversized by design, while Bloomingdale's High Rise Wide Leg Pants are described as true to size. One universal rule would erase the useful information in those style notes. The selection here spans trousers, tops and dresses, including regular, petite and extended sizes, and the active options can differ by color. Start with the relevant body measurements, then read the garment's fit note and length. If you are between sizes, the brand says fit varies by style and personal preference, so decide how much ease you want before ordering. The goal is not to make every piece fit the same way; it is to choose the intended proportion with fewer surprises.

Kick Pants and Check Print Wide Leg Ankle Pants are the relaxed starting points: Nordstrom fit experts say both run large and oversized by design, and recommend sizing down for first-time Eileen Fisher shoppers. High Rise Wide Leg Pants at Bloomingdale's are the counterexample, with a true-to-size note, an 11-inch rise and a 31.5-inch inseam. Slim-Fit Ankle Pants from Saks bring a closer line, but the word slim is not a reason to size down twice; Eileen Fisher's fit guide defines Slim as close to the body while remaining easier than the industry standard. For a trousers order, check rise, inseam and the named fit before changing your usual size. Petite length is a separate choice, not simply a shorter version of a size that already feels too roomy. If you want drape through the hip and thigh, the wide-leg options make sense; if you want a neater ankle, compare the slim cut in the size you normally wear. The useful move is to read the measurements and fit note together, then decide whether you want the fabric to skim or hang away.

The Mandarin Collar Textured Organic Cotton Tunic and Sleeveless Organic Linen Shirt are both Nordstrom options with generous Eileen Fisher sizing notes. Cotton Voile Box T-Shirt at Saks and Classic Collar Silk Shirt at Bloomingdale's give you two different fabric and collar choices, but the silhouette still matters more than the label alone. The brand's fit guide describes Boxy as generous and draping away from the body, Easy as close at the shoulders and wider at the hem, and Slim as close but more forgiving than the industry standard. That is a more useful vocabulary than guessing from a product photo. Measure your bust and shoulder width, then compare them with the brand's chart before choosing a letter size. If you like a tunic to float over the hip, the recommended downsize may still leave enough ease; if you want a shirt to sit closer, use the garment's own fit note as the tie-breaker. A fabric name cannot tell you where the shoulder seam will land.

Stretch Poplin Shirtdress is another Nordstrom style whose fit experts say it runs large and oversized by design, so a first-time shopper can start by testing one size down. Bloomingdale's Silk Blend Cowlneck Maxi Dress and Silk Crepe De Chine V Neck Dress offer different dress lengths and fabric names, while the Plissé V Neck Dress is described as true to size, relaxed and mid-calf. The brand's fit guide says every style has a set length, which is worth checking if you are choosing between regular and petite. Look at the shoulder and chest first, then decide whether you want the body to skim or swing. For a dress that is meant to drape, sizing down can keep the neckline and shoulder from falling too far; for the Plissé, the retailer's relaxed-fit note suggests keeping the intended ease rather than chasing a narrow silhouette. Eileen Fisher sizing is most predictable when you treat the fit name as part of the size chart, not an afterthought.

If you are still deciding, I also wrote Where to Buy Eileen Fisher on Sale (and When the Best Sales Happen), COS Sizing: Does COS Run Small, Big or True to Size? and Where to Buy Burberry on Sale (and When the Best Sales Happen).