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 a French label calls 40, an Italian one calls 44, a German one 38 and a British one 12. 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.
Men's jackets, suits and knitwear IT − 10 gives your UK/US chest size. IT 48 is a 38.
Men's trousers IT − 16 gives your waist in inches. IT 48 is a W32.
Women's clothing IT − 32 gives your UK size, and IT − 36 your US size. IT 40 is a UK 8 and a US 4.
These rules are most precise in the middle of the range. In the largest sizes they drift slightly, and the centimetre measurements below are the better guide.
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 and jackets
Size
IT
FR / EU
DE / CH / AT
UK
US
Bust (cm)
Waist (cm)
Hips (cm)
XXS
36
32
30
4
0
76–78
58–60
84–86
XS
38
34
32
6
2
79–81
61–63
87–89
S
40
36
34
8
4
82–84
64–66
90–92
M
42
38
36
10
6
85–87
67–69
93–95
L
44
40
38
12
8
88–91
70–73
96–99
XL
46
42
40
14
10
92–95
74–77
100–103
XXL
48
44
42
16
12
96–99
78–81
104–107
3XL
50
46
44
18
14
100–104
82–86
108–112
Italian and French numbers are four apart: an Italian 42 is a French 38. French houses such as Saint Laurent use French sizing, Italian houses such as Gucci use Italian sizing, so always check which system a label uses. Letter sizes vary most from brand to brand.
Trousers and skirts
Size
IT
FR / EU
DE / CH / AT
UK
US
Waist (cm)
Hips (cm)
Inseam (cm)
XXS
36
32
30
4
0
58–60
84–86
76
XS
38
34
32
6
2
61–63
87–89
77
S
40
36
34
8
4
64–66
90–92
78
M
42
38
36
10
6
67–69
93–95
79
L
44
40
38
12
8
70–73
96–99
80
XL
46
42
40
14
10
74–77
100–103
81
XXL
48
44
42
16
12
78–81
104–107
82
3XL
50
46
44
18
14
82–86
108–112
83
Men's clothing
Tops, shirts and jackets
Size
IT / FR
UK / US
Chest (cm)
Waist (cm)
Collar (cm)
XS
44
34
86–90
74–76
37
S
46
36
90–94
78–80
38
M
48
38
94–98
82–84
39–40
L
50
40
98–102
86–88
41
XL
52
42
102–106
90–92
42
XXL
54
44
106–110
94–96
43–44
3XL
56
46
110–114
98–100
45
4XL
58
48
114–118
102–106
46
In menswear, Italian and French numbers are the same. The UK/US number roughly matches your chest in inches, and the Italian number is about half your chest in centimetres. In the larger sizes, trust the centimetres.
Trousers
Size
IT / FR
UK / US waist
Waist (cm)
Hips (cm)
Inseam (cm)
XS
44
28
72–74
86–88
78
S
46
30
76–78
90–92
79
M
48
32
80–82
94–96
80
L
50
34
84–86
98–100
81
XL
52
36
88–90
102–104
82
XXL
54
38
92–94
106–108
83
3XL
56
40
96–98
110–112
84
4XL
58
42
100–102
114–116
85
Italian sizes go up in 4 cm steps and US waist sizes in 2-inch (5 cm) steps, so in the larger sizes the centimetres are the more reliable guide.
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.
Italian and French shoe sizes follow the same European system, so an Italian 38 and a French 38 are the same length. Some Italian houses label men's shoes in UK sizes: a Gucci men's 9, for example, is a European 43.
Women's shoes
EU / IT
UK
US
Foot length (cm)
35
2.5
5
21.5–22.0
35.5
3
5.5
22.1–22.5
36
3.5
6
22.6–23.0
36.5
4
6.5
23.1–23.5
37
4
6.5
23.6–24.0
37.5
4.5
7
24.1–24.5
38
5
7.5
24.6–25.0
38.5
5.5
8
25.1–25.5
39
6
8.5
25.6–26.0
39.5
6.5
9
26.1–26.5
40
6.5
9
26.6–27.0
41
7.5
10
27.1–27.5
Men's shoes
EU / IT
UK
US
Foot length (cm)
39
5.5
6.5
24.5–25.0
40
6.5
7
25.1–25.5
40.5
7
7.5
25.6–26.0
41
7
8
26.1–26.5
42
8
8.5
26.6–27.0
42.5
8.5
9
27.1–27.5
43
9
9.5
27.6–28.0
43.5
9.5
10
28.1–28.5
44
9.5
10
28.6–29.0
44.5
10
10.5
29.1–29.5
45
10.5
11
29.6–30.0
46
11
12
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 and caps
Measured at the widest point of the head, approximately 2 cm above the ears. European sizes are that measurement in centimetres. UK sizes run an eighth smaller than US sizes.
Size
EU (cm)
UK
US
XS
53–54
6½–6⅝
6⅝–6¾
S
55–56
6¾–6⅞
6⅞–7
M
57–58
7–7⅛
7⅛–7¼
L
59–60
7¼–7⅜
7⅜–7½
XL
61–62
7½–7⅝
7⅝–7¾
XXL
63–64
7¾–7⅞
7⅞–8
Gloves
Measured around the widest part of the hand, excluding the thumb. The glove size is that measurement in inches.
Size
Glove size
Hand circumference (cm)
XS
6.5
16–17
S
7
17–18.5
M
7.5
18.5–19.5
L
8
19.5–21
XL
8.5
21–22
XXL
9
22–23.5
Rings
Measured as inner circumference in millimetres. To find your size, measure the circumference of the finger at the intended knuckle. In Italy, Switzerland and Spain, ring sizes are that circumference minus 40. Conversions can differ by half a size between jewellers, so the millimetre measurement is the one to trust.
EU (mm)
IT / CH / ES
US
UK
Inner diameter (mm)
44
4
3
F
14.0
46
6
3¾
G½
14.6
48
8
4½
I
15.3
50
10
5¼
J½
15.9
52
12
6
L
16.6
54
14
7
N
17.2
56
16
7¾
O½
17.8
58
18
8½
Q
18.5
60
20
9¼
R½
19.1
62
22
10
T
19.7
64
24
10¾
U½
20.4
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
