Greek Archaic Kori Size Guide: How Kori Dresses Really Fit
One of the questions we're asked most often at Pasha Living is:
"How does Greek Archaic Kori sizing come up?"
After selling Greek Archaic Kori for several seasons, we've found that understanding the fit of each style is often more important than simply knowing your usual dress size.
Many Kori designs are intentionally relaxed and flowing, inspired by effortless Mediterranean dressing. While some styles fit true to size, others are designed with volume and movement in mind, which is why we provide style-specific garment measurements on many of our Kori dresses.
We've put together this guide to help you choose the right size and feel confident ordering online.
Does Greek Archaic Kori Run Large?
Many Kori dresses are designed to have a relaxed silhouette rather than a fitted shape.
Tunic dresses, kaftans and loose linen styles often feel more generous than traditional high-street clothing. This is intentional and forms part of the brand's signature aesthetic.
If you're between sizes, you may find you prefer the smaller size in some of the more relaxed styles. However, more structured dresses and belted designs are generally best ordered in your usual size.
Rather than relying solely on your usual dress size, we always recommend checking the measurements provided on the product page where available. Just look for the size chart icon on our product pages.
The Most Important Measurement: Bust
When helping customers choose a size, we find that the bust measurement is usually the most useful starting point.
Unlike a standard size chart, we provide actual garment measurements for many of our Kori dresses.
The bust measurement shown on our product pages is taken across the fullest part of the garment at bust level.
How To Measure Your Bust
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Wear a well-fitting bra.
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Stand naturally with your arms relaxed.
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Measure around the fullest part of your bust.
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Keep the tape measure level all the way around.
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Do not pull the tape too tightly.
As a guide, your body measurement should be comfortably smaller than the garment measurement to allow the dress to drape as intended.
For example, if a dress has a bust measurement of 100cm, you wouldn't necessarily need a 100cm bust measurement yourself. The extra room is what creates the relaxed fit that many Kori styles are known for.
Understanding the Kori Aesthetic
One thing we've learned from selling Kori for several years is that customers sometimes expect the dresses to fit like traditional high-street clothing.
Many of Kori's most popular styles are intentionally designed to skim the body rather than follow every curve.
For customers with a petite frame, the relaxed proportions can sometimes feel surprising at first. However, the volume is often what creates the effortless look Kori is known for. Linen and cotton fabrics soften beautifully when worn and are designed to drape naturally rather than sit close to the body.
In fact, many customers find that these loose, flowing silhouettes look incredibly elegant on smaller frames because the fabric moves so beautifully.
Equally, customers with a fuller bust may find that some relaxed styles create a different silhouette than expected. This isn't necessarily a sizing issue, but a feature of the garment's cut and how the fabric falls from the bust line.
If you prefer more shape through the waist, look for styles with belts, waist ties or more structured tailoring.
Why Body Proportions Matter
Dress size is only one part of achieving a great fit.
Many Greek Archaic Kori dresses feature an empire-waist silhouette, where the seam sits below the bust before falling into a loose skirt.
Where that seam sits on your body can dramatically affect how the dress looks.
For example, one of our most popular Kori styles measures:
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27cm from the neckline to the bust seam
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31cm from the shoulder to the centre under-bust seam (Size Small)
If you have a longer torso, the seam is likely to sit exactly where the designer intended — beneath the bust.
However, if you have a shorter upper body, a higher bust point, or a fuller bust combined with a shorter décolletage, the seam may sit across the fullest part of the bust rather than underneath it.
This can change the way the dress drapes and create a different silhouette from the one shown on the model.
For this reason, we recommend comparing your own shoulder-to-underbust measurement with the garment measurements where available.
This simple check can often be more useful than choosing a size based solely on your usual dress size.
Why We Include Garment Measurements
We've found that actual garment measurements are often far more useful than generic size charts.
Two women may both wear a UK 12, but have very different proportions, bust measurements and fit preferences.
Providing style-specific measurements helps our customers make more informed decisions and often leads to a better fit first time.
Because many Kori dresses feature relaxed silhouettes, understanding the garment measurements can often tell you much more than the size label alone.
Need Help Choosing?
As a specialist Greek Archaic Kori stockist, we're always happy to provide additional measurements and fit advice.
If you're unsure between sizes, get in touch and we'll do our best to recommend the most suitable option.
Chat to us via the message box, WhatsApp, or visit our contact page.
We've also tried to make shopping online as easy and risk-free as possible. You can spread the cost using PayPal or Klarna's Buy Now, Pay Later service, and we offer free returns on all UK orders.
If you'd like to compare two styles or sizes at home, that's absolutely fine too. Many customers choose to order more than one option and return the one that isn't quite right. As long as at least one item is kept from the order, we don't charge a restocking fee.
And if you don't have a tape measure at home, don't worry — you'd be surprised how many people don't! We occasionally have complimentary tape measures available and are always happy to help customers find the right fit before ordering.
Request a tape measure
Our goal is simple: to help you find a piece you love and feel confident wearing.