I followed the other reviewers comments and ordered a size 12 because I have muscular arms but small bust. I usually wear a size 8 or 10. The shoulders were a little tight while the lower part ballooned around. I do like swing coats but the fabric of this coat is stiff and doesn't drape. The decorative dropped waist with fake belt loops just makes it stick out further from your body, making you look really plump. My husband is no fashionista and he vetoed it before I even got it completely buttoned up. If the fabric were softer and you could belt it, it would be a pretty coat. It has construction details like a piped lining that are very nice.