Quick Facts
- International shoppers buying Italian clothing
- Online shoppers navigating European fashion sites
- Travelers shopping in Italy
- Italian sizes run small with a slimmer silhouette - size up if you have broad shoulders
- Italian women's sizes are 2 numbers higher than French and 4 higher than German sizes
- For jeans: Italian Size = US Waist Size + 14; for trousers: Italian Size - 16 = US waist
- Italian shoe sizes match EU sizing but fit narrower than American or German footwear
Essential reference guide for anyone shopping Italian fashion brands - bookmark the conversion charts to avoid costly returns and ensure your Italian purchases fit perfectly.
Nothing kills the joy of unboxing a handcrafted Italian blazer faster than realizing you can’t move your arms. If you are used to American or German sizing, the “Italian Cut” can feel like a personal attack on your ego. It isn’t. It’s just a completely different mathematical standard.
Here is the reality: Italian sizes run small. They are designed for a slimmer silhouette, and the numbering system is notoriously confusing for international shoppers. An Italian 44 is not a German 44 if you make that mistake, you’ll be swimming in fabric (or bursting out of it).
Whether you are browsing boutiques in Milan or scrolling through Zalando for the latest drops, this guide cuts through the noise. We have updated every chart below with verified 2025/2026 data to ensure your next purchase fits like a second skin.
The Golden Rule: Italian vs. European Sizing
Stop right here. This is the most common mistake shoppers make. Italian sizes (IT) are not the same as standard European sizes (EU/DE/FR).
- The Calculation: Italian women’s sizes are generally two numbers higher than French sizes and four numbers higher than German sizes.
- The Example: An Italian 44 = French 40 = German 38.
If you are shopping across bordersperhaps comparing brands from our guide to cheap clothes shopping in Germany—keep this conversion formula in your pocket to avoid returns.
Women’s Clothing Conversion
Italian fashion relies heavily on the “minus 6” rule. For women, the theoretical size is often calculated by halving your bust circumference (in cm) and subtracting 6. However, relying on tags is safer than doing math in a dressing room. Use this chart for dresses, suits, and coats.
| Italy (IT) | USA | UK | France (FR) | Germany (DE) | International |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 0 | 4 | 32 | 30 | XXS |
| 38 | 2 | 6 | 34 | 32 | XS |
| 40 | 4 | 8 | 36 | 34 | S |
| 42 | 6 | 10 | 38 | 36 | M |
| 44 | 8 | 12 | 40 | 38 | L |
| 46 | 10 | 14 | 42 | 40 | XL |
| 48 | 12 | 16 | 44 | 42 | XXL |
| 50 | 14 | 18 | 46 | 44 | 3XL |
Women’s Jeans: The Waist Conversion
Denim is tricky because many Italian brands use the standard US inch system (28, 29, 30), but traditional brands still use Italian sizing (42, 44). The rule of thumb for 2025? Italian Size = US Waist Size + 14.
| Italian Size (IT) | US Waist (Inches) | International Est. |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | 24-25 | XXS |
| 38 | 26 | XS |
| 40 | 27-28 | S |
| 42 | 28-29 | M |
| 44 | 30-31 | L |
| 46 | 32-33 | XL |
| 48 | 34-35 | XXL |
| 50 | 36-37 | 3XL |
Men’s Clothing Conversion
Men’s sizing in Italy is slightly more straightforward, calculated by halving the chest measurement in centimeters. If your chest measures 92cm, your Italian jacket size is 46. Unlike American cuts, which are boxy, Italian cuts are tapered at the waist. If you have broad shoulders, size up.
Jackets & Suits
| Italy (IT) | USA / UK | International |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 34 | XS |
| 46 | 36 | S |
| 48 | 38 | M |
| 50 | 40 | L |
| 52 | 42 | XL |
| 54 | 44 | XXL |
| 56 | 46 | 3XL |
| 58 | 48 | 4XL |
Men’s Shirts (Collar Size)
High-end Italian shirts (think Boggi or Armani) are sized by collar circumference in centimeters. Forget S/M/L; you need to know your neck measurement.
| Italy (Collar cm) | USA (Collar inches) | Approx Size |
|---|---|---|
| 37 | 14 ½ | S |
| 38 | 15 | S / M |
| 39 | 15 ½ | M |
| 40 | 15 ¾ | M / L |
| 41 | 16 | L |
| 42 | 16 ½ | L / XL |
| 43 | 17 | XL |
| 44 | 17 ½ | XXL |
Men’s Pants & Trousers
For trousers, the conversion is roughly Italian Size minus 16 equals US/UK waist size.
| Italy (IT) | US Waist (Inches) |
|---|---|
| 44 | 29 |
| 46 | 30-31 |
| 48 | 32-33 |
| 50 | 34-35 |
| 52 | 36-37 |
| 54 | 38-39 |
| 56 | 40-41 |
| 58 | 42-43 |
Shoe Size Conversion
Italian shoe sizing is virtually identical to standard EU sizing, but again, the fit is often narrower than American or German footwear. If you are exploring Ukrainian fashion brands or other European retailers, you will likely see the same EU numbers used here.
| Italy / EU | US Women | US Men | UK | Foot Length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 5 | – | 3 | 23.0 |
| 37 | 6 | – | 4 | 23.6 |
| 38 | 6.5 – 7 | – | 5 | 24.3 |
| 39 | 7.5 | – | 6 | 25.0 |
| 40 | 8 | 7 | 6.5 | 25.6 |
| 41 | 8.5 – 9 | 8 – 8.5 | 7 | 26.3 |
| 42 | 9.5 | 9 | 8 | 27.0 |
| 43 | 10.5 | 10 | 9 | 27.6 |
| 44 | 11 – 12 | 10.5 | 10 | 28.3 |
Ring Size: The Circumference Formula
Italian jewelers use a straightforward system based on circumference. The formula is simple: Italian Size = Circumference (mm) – 40.
If you don’t have a caliper handy, here is the conversion:
| Italy Size | Diameter (cm) | Circumference (cm) | USA Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1.60 | 5.02 | 5 ¼ |
| 12 | 1.65 | 5.18 | 6 |
| 14 | 1.72 | 5.40 | 6 ¾ |
| 16 | 1.78 | 5.59 | 7 ½ |
| 18 | 1.85 | 5.81 | 8 ¼ |
| 20 | 1.92 | 6.03 | 9 ¼ |
| 22 | 1.98 | 6.22 | 10 |
| 24 | 2.04 | 6.41 | 10 ¾ |
Final Shopping Tips
When buying online, rarely will a “Medium” in Ohio translate perfectly to a “Medium” in Rome. Always look for the specific size guide of the brand you are buying. If you are between sizes on an Italian chart, always choose the larger one. It is much easier for a tailor to take in a waist than it is to conjure extra fabric out of thin air.
Is Italian sizing the same as European sizing?
No. Italian sizing runs smaller than standard European sizing (used in Germany and Scandinavia). An Italian 44 is usually equivalent to a German 38 or a French 40. Always check the country of origin on the size chart.
What is my US size in Italian jeans?
For women, add roughly 14 to your US waist size to find your Italian size. If you wear a US 28 jeans, you are likely an Italian 42. For men, the difference is usually 16 (US 32 waist = IT 48).
Do Italian shoes run small?
Italian shoes generally fit true to length but are often narrower than American shoes. If you have wide feet, consider going up a half size to accommodate the slimmer width.
