Roman Originals is a Birmingham-based women's fashion retailer founded in 1957, originally as a wholesale manufacturer supplying independent retailers across the UK. The brand opened its first standalone store in Ebbw Vale, Wales, in 1995 and has since grown into a well-known high-street and online presence. Roman is particularly recognised for offering affordable, design-led clothing that spans sizes 6 to 26, with dedicated ranges for petite and curvy figures. The brand gained widespread public recognition in February 2015 when one of its lace bodycon dresses went viral as the internet's famous "blue and black or white and gold" dress debate, selling out within 30 minutes. Their autumn collections are a seasonal highlight, bringing cosy knitwear, tailored occasion wear, and versatile everyday pieces together at accessible prices.
Roman's autumn range is built around versatility and warmth without sacrificing style. Each season the brand introduces a fresh set of prints, colourways, and silhouettes designed to move seamlessly from the office to an evening out. Key pieces tend to include long-sleeve jersey dresses, faux leather jackets, padded coats, and soft knitwear in muted autumnal tones as well as bolder statement prints. Layering essentials such as cardigans, tunics, and longline blazers feature prominently, making it straightforward to put together polished outfits as temperatures drop.
Roman's clothing line covers a broad range of women's wardrobe needs:
One of Roman's long-standing strengths is its commitment to offering clothing that works for a wide range of body types. The standard range runs from size 6 to 26, while a dedicated PETITE collection caters to women under approximately 5'3" and the CURVE range addresses curvier figures with tailored cuts. The brand also runs DUSK for versatile everyday styles and ARIELLA for occasion wear. Detailed size guides and fit notes are provided for each garment, helping shoppers choose confidently online.
Roman operates an email newsletter that gives subscribers early access to new season arrivals, exclusive discount codes, and advance notice of sale events. Seasonal promotions, multi-buy deals, and loyalty rewards through the Roman Rewards programme have historically made the newsletter a popular way to stay informed about affordable fashion. Subscribers were among the first to see each new autumn and winter collection as it launched.
Roman Originals is best known for affordable women's clothing spanning sizes 6 to 26, and gained global fame in 2015 when one of its lace bodycon dresses became the centre of a viral internet debate over whether it appeared blue and black or white and gold. The dress sold out within 30 minutes of the viral post.
Roman Originals was founded in 1957 in Birmingham, UK, initially as a wholesale manufacturer of women's garments. The company shifted to direct retail in the 1990s, opening its first standalone store in Ebbw Vale, Wales, in 1995.
Roman stocks women's clothing from size 6 to size 26. The range also includes a dedicated PETITE collection for shorter frames and a CURVE range for curvier figures, with specific fit guidance provided for each sub-range.
Yes. Roman offers a PETITE collection tailored for women who are shorter in height, and a CURVE range designed with more generous cuts for plus-size figures. Both lines feature the same seasonal styles as the main collection, including autumn dresses, knitwear, and outerwear.
Yes, Roman Originals continues to trade as of 2026, operating both high-street stores across the UK and a full e-commerce website at roman.co.uk. The company is registered in England under number 00980843, with its registered office in Birmingham.
The viral "the dress" was a royal blue lace bodycon style sold by Roman Originals. After going viral on social media in February 2015 it sold out within 30 minutes. Roman Originals subsequently created a special white and gold version for a Comic Relief charity auction. The dress has since become one of the most studied examples of colour perception in neuroscience research.
This catalogue and newsletter listing is part of the Catalink archive and may no longer be available to order. The information above describes Roman Originals. For current details, visit the company's official website.
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