Italian Clothing Sizes: Conversion to US and UK Sizes

Italian clothing sizes use their own number scale for women and the common European scale for men. For women, subtract 36 from the Italian size to get the US size (IT 42 = US 6) or subtract 32 to get the UK size (IT 42 = UK 10). For men's suits and jackets, subtract ten from the Italian number to get the US/UK chest size in inches (IT 50 = US/UK 40). Shirts use the collar in centimeters, and shoes use standard EU numbers.

That is the short version. Below are the full charts, worked examples and the fit details that conversion charts leave out. For instant conversions, use the clothing size converter.

Why Italian sizes look so high

If you usually wear a US 6 or UK 10, seeing "42" on an Italian label can be a surprise. The number does not mean the garment is larger — it is simply a different scale. Italian women's sizing is offset by six numbers from the German and Dutch scale and by four numbers from the French one. Learn the offset once and Italian labels become easy to read.

For an overview of how all the main systems relate, see the international clothing size conversion guide.

Italian women's sizes

IT	US	UK	EU (DE/NL)	FR/ES	Letter
36	0	4	30	32	XXS
38	2	6	32	34	XS
40	4	8	34	36	S
42	6	10	36	38	S
44	8	12	38	40	M
46	10	14	40	42	M
48	12	16	42	44	L
50	14	18	44	46	L
52	16	20	46	48	XL

Shortcuts

• IT − 36 = US. IT 44 − 36 = US 8.
• IT − 32 = UK. IT 44 − 32 = UK 12.
• IT − 6 = German EU size. IT 44 − 6 = EU 38.
• IT − 4 = French size. IT 44 − 4 = FR 40.

These work across the core range. At the very small and very large ends of the scale, some brands deviate.

Italian men's suit and jacket sizes

Italian men's tailoring uses the same numbers as most of continental Europe. The size is roughly half the chest circumference in centimeters.

IT/EU	US/UK	Chest (cm, approx.)	Letter
44	34	86–89	XS
46	36	90–93	S
48	38	94–97	M
50	40	98–101	L
52	42	102–105	XL
54	44	106–109	XXL
56	46	110–113	3XL

Shortcut: IT − 10 = US/UK. An IT 52 is a US or UK 42.

Drop and fit

Italian suits are frequently cut with a defined waist and a higher armhole, which many people find gives a cleaner silhouette. Some brands also state a "drop" — the difference between jacket chest and trouser waist. A larger drop means a more tapered fit between chest and waist. If a brand uses drop numbers, compare them with your own chest-to-waist difference.

For what a well-fitting jacket looks like regardless of label, read how a suit should fit.

Italian men's shirt sizes

Shirts are sized by collar circumference in centimeters — the same as across most of Europe.

IT/EU collar (cm)	US/UK (inches)	Letter
37	14.5	S
38	15	M
39	15.5	M
40/41	16	L
42	16.5	L
43	17	XL
44	17.5	XL

Some Italian shirtmakers also print a sleeve length, and some casual shirts use letter sizes only.

Italian trousers

Men's trousers in Italian sizing follow the jacket scale: an IT 48 trouser is intended to pair with an IT 48 jacket, although trouser waists vary with the cut. Jeans from Italian brands often use waist and leg in inches (W32 L32) instead. Women's trousers follow the women's chart above.

Italian shoe sizes

Italian shoes use continental European numbering, so an IT 40 is an EU 40. That said, Italian lasts can be narrower or more elongated than what you are used to, depending on the maker. When you buy a new brand for the first time, compare your foot length in centimeters with the brand's chart. The shoe size converter converts EU sizes to UK and US and works from foot length.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a dress. You wear a US 8. Italian equivalent: 8 + 36 = IT 44. You check the brand's chart: IT 44 lists a 90 cm bust, 74 cm waist and 98 cm hips. Your measurements are 91, 73 and 100 cm. The hip is the tightest measurement, so for a fitted dress you might choose IT 46, or stay with IT 44 if the skirt is flared.

Example 2 — a blazer. Your chest measures 100 cm. Half of that is 50, so you start with IT 50 — US/UK 40. If you are between sizes and the cut is slim, try both 50 and 52.

Example 3 — a shirt. Your neck is 39.5 cm with a finger of room. Choose a 40 collar, or 15.5 in US/UK sizing for a closer fit.

Checklist for buying from Italian brands

• Confirm whether the size is women's IT, men's IT/EU or an international letter
• Convert your usual size with the shortcuts above
• Compare your measurements with the brand's chart
• Read fit notes such as slim, regular or comfort fit
• Check stretch content in the composition
• For tailoring, check shoulder width and sleeve length if given

Reading an Italian size label

Italian labels often show several systems at once, which can be confusing. A typical women's label might read "IT 42 / FR 38 / US 6 / UK 10", while a men's jacket might show "IT 50 / EU 50 / US 40". If only one number appears, check the department and the brand's website: some Italian brands use international letter sizes (S, M, L) for casual lines and numeric sizes for tailoring. When a garment is labeled with letters only, compare the brand's measurement chart for that letter with your own measurements rather than relying on a conversion.

Common mistakes

Ordering your US number. An Italian 8 does not exist in women's sizing; an Italian 42 is not a large size. Always convert.

Mixing up men's and women's 44. A women's IT 44 is roughly a US 8; a men's IT 44 jacket is a very small men's size. Check the department.

Assuming all Italian brands share one fit. Many brands have several fit lines. A "slim" and a "comfort" fit with the same size number can differ noticeably.

Skipping the chart for accessories. Gloves, belts and hats follow their own measurements; check them separately.

Italian sizing is consistent once you know the offsets. Convert with the shortcuts, confirm with the brand's measurements, and you will rarely need to send anything back.