Finding your size
The clothing world doesn’t run on a single standard. A size 40 from one brand is not a size 40 from another, and in luxury fashion, this variation tends to be more pronounced, not less. The charts below are a starting point. The goal is to help you arrive at a size with confidence.
Why a size 40 isn’t always a 40?
Different countries use different numeric scales: what the EU labels 40, Italian brands often label 44, while French and UK systems follow their own conventions. The label is a reference, not a universal measure.
Luxury brands tend to follow the sizing conventions of their country of origin. A Milanese house sizes differently from a Parisian one, and from season to season, cuts and silhouettes shift even within the same brand. A tailored jacket is designed around a specific silhouette; a loose knit has far more tolerance. The same label means different things depending on the garment.
Body measurements are more reliable than the number on the label. The charts below pair size conversions with centimetre measurements for exactly this reason.
How to take your measurements?
Use a soft tape measure. Keep it parallel to the ground where indicated, and don’t pull it tight, measure over light clothing or underwear for accuracy.
| Measurement | How to take it |
|---|---|
| Chest / Bust | Around the fullest part of your chest, tape parallel to the ground. |
| Waist | Around your natural waistline, the narrowest part of your torso. |
| Hips | Around the fullest part of your hips and seat, approximately 20 cm below your waist. |
| Inseam | From the crotch seam to the bottom of your leg, along the inside of the leg. |
| Collar | Around the base of your neck, adding 1–2 cm for comfort. |
| Head | Around the widest part of your head, approximately 2 cm above the ears. |
| Hand | Around the widest part of your hand, excluding the thumb. |
| Foot | Stand on a piece of paper, trace your foot, and measure from heel to longest toe. |
Women’s clothing
Tops, Dresses & Jackets
| EU | IT | UK | US | FR | Chest (cm) | Waist (cm) | Hips (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 36 | 4 | 0 | 34 | 76–78 | 58–60 | 84–86 |
| 34 | 38 | 6 | 2 | 36 | 79–81 | 61–63 | 87–89 |
| 36 | 40 | 8 | 4 | 38 | 82–84 | 64–66 | 90–92 |
| 38 | 42 | 10 | 6 | 40 | 85–87 | 67–69 | 93–95 |
| 40 | 44 | 12 | 8 | 42 | 88–91 | 70–73 | 96–99 |
| 42 | 46 | 14 | 10 | 44 | 92–95 | 74–77 | 100–103 |
| 44 | 48 | 16 | 12 | 46 | 96–99 | 78–81 | 104–107 |
| 46 | 50 | 18 | 14 | 48 | 100–104 | 82–86 | 108–112 |
Trousers & Skirts
| EU | IT | UK | US | FR | Waist (cm) | Hips (cm) | Inseam (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 36 | 4 | 0 | 34 | 58–60 | 84–86 | 76 |
| 34 | 38 | 6 | 2 | 36 | 61–63 | 87–89 | 77 |
| 36 | 40 | 8 | 4 | 38 | 64–66 | 90–92 | 78 |
| 38 | 42 | 10 | 6 | 40 | 67–69 | 93–95 | 79 |
| 40 | 44 | 12 | 8 | 42 | 70–73 | 96–99 | 80 |
| 42 | 46 | 14 | 10 | 44 | 74–77 | 100–103 | 81 |
| 44 | 48 | 16 | 12 | 46 | 78–81 | 104–107 | 82 |
| 46 | 50 | 18 | 14 | 48 | 82–86 | 108–112 | 83 |
Men’s clothing
Tops, Shirts & Jackets
| EU/IT | UK/US | FR | Chest (cm) | Waist (cm) | Collar (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | 34 | 44 | 84–86 | 74–76 | 37 |
| 46 | 36 | 46 | 88–90 | 78–80 | 38 |
| 48 | 38 | 48 | 92–94 | 82–84 | 39–40 |
| 50 | 40 | 50 | 96–98 | 86–88 | 41 |
| 52 | 42 | 52 | 100–102 | 90–92 | 42 |
| 54 | 44 | 54 | 104–106 | 94–96 | 43–44 |
| 56 | 46 | 56 | 108–110 | 98–100 | 45 |
| 58 | 48 | 58 | 112–116 | 102–106 | 46 |
Trousers
| EU/IT | UK/US Waist | Waist (cm) | Hips (cm) | Inseam (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | 28 | 72–74 | 86–88 | 78 |
| 46 | 30 | 76–78 | 90–92 | 79 |
| 48 | 32 | 80–82 | 94–96 | 80 |
| 50 | 34 | 84–86 | 98–100 | 81 |
| 52 | 36 | 88–90 | 102–104 | 82 |
| 54 | 38 | 92–94 | 106–108 | 83 |
| 56 | 40 | 96–98 | 110–112 | 84 |
| 58 | 42 | 100–102 | 114–116 | 85 |
Shoes
Shoe sizing varies significantly between brands. For the most reliable fit, measure your foot length: stand on a piece of paper, trace your foot, and measure from heel to longest toe. Use that measurement to find your size below.
Women’s shoes
| EU | IT | UK | US | JP (cm) | Foot length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 35 | 2.5 | 5 | 22 | 21.5–22.0 |
| 35.5 | 35.5 | 3 | 5.5 | 22.5 | 22.1–22.5 |
| 36 | 36 | 3.5 | 6 | 23 | 22.6–23.0 |
| 36.5 | 36.5 | 4 | 6.5 | 23.5 | 23.1–23.5 |
| 37 | 37 | 4 | 6.5 | 23.5 | 23.6–24.0 |
| 37.5 | 37.5 | 4.5 | 7 | 24 | 24.1–24.5 |
| 38 | 38 | 5 | 7.5 | 24.5 | 24.6–25.0 |
| 38.5 | 38.5 | 5.5 | 8 | 25 | 25.1–25.5 |
| 39 | 39 | 6 | 8.5 | 25.5 | 25.6–26.0 |
| 39.5 | 39.5 | 6.5 | 9 | 26 | 26.1–26.5 |
| 40 | 40 | 6.5 | 9 | 26 | 26.6–27.0 |
| 41 | 41 | 7.5 | 10 | 27 | 27.1–27.5 |
Men’s shoes
| EU | IT | UK | US | JP (cm) | Foot length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 39 | 5.5 | 6.5 | 25 | 24.5–25.0 |
| 40 | 40 | 6.5 | 7 | 25.5 | 25.1–25.5 |
| 40.5 | 40.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 26 | 25.6–26.0 |
| 41 | 41 | 7 | 8 | 26.5 | 26.1–26.5 |
| 42 | 42 | 8 | 8.5 | 27 | 26.6–27.0 |
| 42.5 | 42.5 | 8.5 | 9 | 27.5 | 27.1–27.5 |
| 43 | 43 | 9 | 9.5 | 28 | 27.6–28.0 |
| 43.5 | 43.5 | 9.5 | 10 | 28.5 | 28.1–28.5 |
| 44 | 44 | 9.5 | 10 | 28.5 | 28.6–29.0 |
| 44.5 | 44.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 29 | 29.1–29.5 |
| 45 | 45 | 10.5 | 11 | 29.5 | 29.6–30.0 |
| 46 | 46 | 11 | 12 | 30 | 30.1–30.5 |
Accessories
Belts
Belt sizes are measured from the buckle end to the middle hole. Most belts have 5 holes spaced 2.5 cm apart.
| Size | EU (cm) | UK/US (inches) | Waist range (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 75 | 30” | 65–70 |
| S | 80 | 32” | 70–75 |
| M | 85 | 34” | 75–80 |
| L | 90 | 36” | 80–85 |
| XL | 95 | 38” | 85–90 |
| XXL | 100 | 40” | 90–95 |
| 3XL | 105 | 42” | 95–100 |
Hats & Caps
Measured at the widest point of the head, approximately 2 cm above the ears.
| Size | EU (cm) | UK | US | Head circumference (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 54 | 6⅝ | 6⅝ | 53–54 |
| S | 55–56 | 6¾–6⅞ | 6¾–6⅞ | 55–56 |
| M | 57–58 | 7–7⅛ | 7–7⅛ | 57–58 |
| L | 59–60 | 7¼–7⅜ | 7¼–7⅜ | 59–60 |
| XL | 61–62 | 7½–7⅝ | 7½–7⅝ | 61–62 |
| XXL | 63–64 | 7¾–7⅞ | 7¾–7⅞ | 63–64 |
Gloves
Measured around the widest part of the hand, excluding the thumb.
| Size | EU/IT | UK/US (inches) | Hand circumference (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 6.5 | 6.5” | 16–17 |
| S | 7 | 7” | 17–18 |
| M | 7.5 | 7.5” | 18–19 |
| L | 8 | 8” | 19–20 |
| XL | 8.5 | 8.5” | 20–21 |
| XXL | 9 | 9” | 21–23 |
Rings
Measured as inner circumference in millimetres. To find your size, measure the circumference of the finger at the intended knuckle.
| EU/IT (mm) | UK | US / Canada | Inner diameter (mm) | Inner circumference (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | D | 2 | 14.0 | 44.0 |
| 46 | E½ | 3 | 14.6 | 45.9 |
| 48 | F½ | 4 | 15.3 | 47.8 |
| 50 | J | 5 | 15.9 | 49.7 |
| 52 | K½ | 6 | 16.5 | 51.5 |
| 54 | M | 7 | 17.2 | 53.4 |
| 56 | N½ | 7.5 | 17.8 | 55.3 |
| 58 | P | 8.5 | 18.5 | 57.2 |
| 60 | Q½ | 9.5 | 19.1 | 59.1 |
| 62 | S | 10.5 | 19.7 | 61.0 |
| 64 | T½ | 11.5 | 20.4 | 63.0 |
When to order your usual size, and when to write first?
Knitwear, jersey and unstructured pieces have more tolerance: if your measurements sit near the boundary between two sizes, the larger will usually work. Tailored jackets, structured outerwear and shirts with specific collar or chest dimensions are less forgiving. Here, body measurements matter more than the label.
Luxury brands vary in their sizing even when using the same number. A size 40 in one brand may fit differently from a size 40 in another, particularly when comparing brands from different countries of origin. When in doubt, refer to the specific measurements rather than the label.
If you’re buying from a brand for the first time, or if the garment is tailored or structured: write before you order. It’s simpler than a return.
A return for size happens. But arriving at a size you know will work is better for everyone. That’s what this page is for.
Luca Paolucci
Not sure about a specific size?
Write before you order!