Does Ixos Run Big or Small? The Complete Sizing Guide

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

Ixos runs large in most categories — but here's the catch: not consistently. This Italian brand is known for experimental, architectural cuts, and depending on what you're buying, the same size can feel like an oversized statement piece in one garment and a snug Italian-cut tailored fit in another. If that sounds maddening, it is — but once you know the logic, it becomes a lot easier to shop.

I came across Ixos a few years back whilst hunting for something genuinely different for a client who was utterly sick of seeing herself in the same high-street shapes as everyone else. We picked up a draped asymmetric coat, and she looked extraordinary. We also picked up a pair of trousers in the same size. They were two inches too short and a full size too small. Lesson learned — and one I'm going to save you from learning the hard way.

Who Is Ixos?

Founded in 1962, Ixos is an Italian brand that began with footwear and accessories before expanding into womenswear in 2015. It sits under the Malloni design house — a group known for edgy, niche Italian fashion. Think architectural silhouettes, raw hems, asymmetric panels, heavy draping, and a strong gender-fluid, unisex energy throughout. It's not a brand you stumble across in a shopping centre — you tend to find it in concept stores, curated boutiques, or platforms like YOOX and Olivia May.

The aesthetic is bold, minimal, and very Italian — but that Italian heritage is exactly why sizing needs some careful handling.

Ixos Sizing: The EU System Explained

Ixos uses standard EU/Italian sizing, which runs from approximately 38 to 48. If you're used to UK sizing, here's how it maps:

Ixos EU SizeUK SizeBust (cm)Waist (cm)Hips (cm)3810826490401286689442149072984416947610246189880106482010284110

On paper, that looks relatively standard. In practice, the actual fit of a piece can deviate quite significantly from these numbers because of the way Ixos deliberately builds oversized or draped volume into many designs. Use the table as your starting point, not your final answer.

Does Ixos Run Big or Small — Category by Category

This is really where it matters. Ixos is not a brand where you pick your usual size and move on. Here's what to expect across different garment types:

Coats & Outerwear

Ixos coats are genuinely big — wide across the bust and hips, often with structured architectural shoulders
Many are oversized by design, so size down one unless you specifically want a very relaxed, enveloping fit
They tend to be short-waisted, which can affect the overall silhouette if you're longer in the body
Size advice: Go down one full size from your usual EU equivalent

Dresses

Midi and maxi styles often feature asymmetric panels or uneven hems — these can look very different on the body vs. on the hanger
They tend to be more fitted at the waist with volume below — check your waist measurement carefully against the size guide
Fitted jersey dresses may run closer to true size, while woven or draped styles run large
Size advice: Go by your waist measurement, not your usual dress size

Knitwear

Ixos knitwear tends to run generously — this is intentional, as relaxed proportions are core to the brand's look
Mixed-knit or textured styles may feel bulkier than the size suggests
Size advice: If in doubt, size down — the oversized proportions are built in

Tailored Trousers & Fitted Pieces

This is where it flips. More tailored, fitted pieces — particularly trousers — tend to run closer to true Italian sizing, which is notoriously snug
Inseams can also run shorter than expected, so if you're tall, check the length before committing
Size advice: Go true to size, or consider sizing up if you're between sizes

Footwear

Ixos shoes use standard EU sizing and are generally true to size
Some styles are slightly narrow at the toe — if you have wider feet, go half a size up
Size advice: True to EU size, half-size up for wider feet

The Honest Bit: Ixos Sizing Is Inconsistent

I want to be straight with you here — and this is the kind of thing you won't always find in a brand's own marketing. There is no consistent sizing logic across Ixos pieces. Because the brand is boutique, experimental, and seasonal, a size 42 in one jacket can feel like a 44 or even a 46, while a size 42 in a trouser style might feel like a 40. Product descriptions often don't include garment measurements, which makes online shopping a particular gamble.

If you're buying in-store or from a boutique, always try before you buy. If you're shopping online, it's well worth checking whether the retailer lists garment measurements separately — some do, some don't. And this is genuinely one of those brands where having your own body measurements to hand makes all the difference.

Ixos Alternatives: Similar Aesthetic, Easier Sizing

Ixos is wonderful but it's also niche, pricey, and — as we've established — a bit of a sizing lottery. If you love the architectural, asymmetric Italian aesthetic but want something easier to size into (or kinder to the budget), these are the brands I reach for:

High Street & Mid-Range

COS – The go-to for clean architectural shapes and relaxed Scandinavian minimalism at accessible prices. Sizing is consistent and the silhouettes echo that same structured-but-unstructured Ixos energy
Massimo Dutti – Italian-influenced tailoring at high street prices. Their trousers and blazers in particular have a real sophistication that sits comfortably alongside the Ixos aesthetic
All Saints – Great for edgy layering, asymmetric hems, and muted urban tones. The leather and jersey pieces are a particularly good match for Ixos fans
Whistles – Understated, precise, and beautifully cut. Their minimalist dresses and tailored pieces are perfect if Ixos is your vibe but the sizing uncertainty is putting you off
Mango – Consistently strong on structured coats, draped blouses, and interesting textures. A brilliant budget alternative when Ixos is beyond reach
Reiss – For tailored pieces with real Italian polish, Reiss delivers without the sizing drama. Their blazers in particular are excellent
Me&Em – Increasingly strong on sophisticated silhouettes with clean lines. Great for the woman who loves Ixos but needs predictable sizing and reliable quality

Independent Brands Worth Discovering

Humanoid – A Dutch brand with deeply architectural, draped silhouettes and a real editorial quality. Very Ixos in spirit, with considered sizing and beautiful fabrics. Find them at Wolf & Badger and select boutiques
Aeron – A Czech luxury brand producing precise, sculptural womenswear with strong tailoring credentials. Elegant, modern, and genuinely special — available via their own site and select international stockists

My Final Sizing Verdict on Ixos

Ixos is one of those brands that rewards patience and preparation. If you know your body measurements — and I mean the actual numbers, not just your UK dress size — you'll navigate it brilliantly. If you're going in blind based on habit, you'll likely end up returning something.

Outerwear and knitwear: size down one
Dresses: size by waist measurement
Trousers and tailored pieces: true to size or up if between sizes
Footwear: true to EU size
When in doubt: measure first, buy second

It's a brand that genuinely rewards the fashion-forward woman who wants to look like nobody else in the room. But get the size right and it's extraordinary. Get it wrong and it's an expensive postage label.

Never Guess Your Size in Ixos Again — Tellar Has You Covered

This is exactly the kind of brand where having your precise measurements matched to a size makes all the difference. That's what Tellar.co.uk is built for.

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Measure once — bust, waist, and hips (we'll send you a free tape)
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to find your exact size in Ixos, COS, Reiss, Massimo Dutti, and 1,500+ more brands
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And while you're here — the Tellar Fashion Hub is packed with honest, unsponsored style guides from our in-house stylists. No adverts, no brand deals, just real advice: