Does Isabel Benenato Run Big or Small? A Stylist's Honest Sizing Guide

By Ella Blake – Fashion Stylist | Tellar Fashion Hub – Always honest, unbiased & unsponsored

Isabel Benenato runs large — deliberately, architecturally, and by design. If you're browsing her pieces on Farfetch or END and wondering whether to size down, the short answer is: yes, almost always. But there's a lot more nuance to it than that, and getting the fit right on a £600 knit is rather important. So let me walk you through what I've learnt about this extraordinary label and how to actually buy it with confidence.

Who Is Isabel Benenato?

Isabel Benenato launched her namesake label in Naples in 2008, and it quickly became one of those quiet, cult discoveries that fashion editors wear but rarely shout about. Think gothic minimalism, Italian craftsmanship, Japanese-influenced silhouettes, and an almost architectural sensibility — monochrome palettes, raw edges, asymmetric hems, sheer panels. It's a brand for women who dress intentionally and aren't chasing trends. I remember first properly encountering her knitwear at a boutique in London a few years back and being completely mesmerised. Then I looked at the label. A size 42 that felt like a generous 16. Classic Benenato.

The General Sizing Rule

The oversized aesthetic isn't a flaw in the sizing — it is the sizing. Her garments are built around volume, fluidity, dropped shoulders, and androgynous proportions. Most pieces will run at least one full size large, and some — particularly her longline tops and unisex knitwear — can run two sizes large depending on how the collection is cut. Always go by your measurements rather than your usual label size. Your bust and waist measurements are your best friends here.

Sizing by Garment Type

Tops & blouses: These are the most dramatically oversized category. Long, often sheer, with uneven hems and deep side slits — they're designed to drape, not skim. If you're petite (under 5'4"), be aware that "longline" on the model can become practically a dress on you. Not necessarily a problem — it can look spectacular belted — but worth knowing. Size down at least one, sometimes two.
Knitwear & jumpers: Rich fabrics — fine wool, cashmere blends, linen knits. The body is deliberately boxy and wide through the shoulders and chest. Sizing down by one is standard. In between sizes? Go smaller — the drape of the fabric gives you the volume the brand intends without drowning your frame.
Trousers & skirts: The waist is your anchor measurement here. Wide-leg trousers in viscose drape beautifully; the wool-blend styles have more structure and sit slightly differently. Sizing tends to be more consistent here than in tops, but I'd still recommend going by your actual waist rather than assuming your usual continental size.
Jackets & outerwear: Cut with Italian tailoring precision but softened with intentional volume through the body and sleeve. These are the pieces I'd always try before buying if possible — the shoulder placement is unusual and can really vary by style. That said, they're extraordinary investment pieces. One size down from your normal designer size is a reasonable starting point.
Footwear: Isabel Benenato's shoes and boots are produced in Italy and are the most straightforward category to buy. They run true to size. If a style is unisex, check the EU-to-UK conversion carefully — Tellar's Store Size Lookup will sort this for you instantly.

The Inconsistency Problem

Here's the thing that catches people out — and it caught me out the first time, too. Sizing isn't consistent across seasons or stockists. A size 40 from one collection doesn't necessarily match a size 40 from another. Unisex pieces add another layer of unpredictability. This is where standard size charts fall apart completely. A Medium might fit a UK 10 on one piece and a UK 16 on another. The only reliable solution is to work from your actual measurements and use a tool like Tellar.co.uk to cross-reference against your known fit in other brands — which is exactly what Tellar was built for.

If You Love Isabel Benenato's Aesthetic But Not the Price Tag

Let's be honest — not everyone can drop £500 on a blouse, however extraordinary it is. If you're drawn to the oversized minimalism, the sculptural silhouettes, and the monochrome palette, here are my picks for alternatives at various price points:

High street picks:

COS — The obvious spiritual cousin. Architectural shapes, neutral palettes, considered cuts. Their longline shirts and wide-leg trousers scratch a very similar itch.
Massimo Dutti — Excellent Italian-influenced tailoring at a much more accessible price. Their blazers in particular are worth a close look.
Whistles — Sophisticated and grown-up. Their knitwear has proper weight and their trousers have that relaxed-but-intentional feel.
All Saints — The gothic, monochrome edge is very much there. Good for layering pieces and their leather accessories translate well into a Benenato-ish wardrobe.
Anthropologie — For the more artisan, textured pieces; their independent label collections can surprise you with their quality.
Me&Em — Seriously underrated for quality knitwear. Clean lines, grown-up sizing, and fabric that actually holds its shape.
Mango — Their premium Committed collection regularly delivers well-cut linen and viscose pieces that work beautifully as building blocks in this kind of wardrobe.
Reiss — Solid choice for tailored pieces with a minimal, architectural feel. Their wide-leg trousers rival far more expensive options.

Independent picks for something a little different:

Studio Nicholson — A London-based independent label that shares Benenato's love of precise tailoring, oversized proportions, and pure, unadorned fabric. Smaller price tag, same considered energy. Genuinely brilliant for wide-leg trousers and longline coats.
Beaumont Organic — A UK independent brand built around sustainable fabrics and relaxed, considered shapes. Their linen and organic cotton pieces have a quiet, artisan quality that sits beautifully alongside Benenato's aesthetic.

Never Guess Your Size in Isabel Benenato Again

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