How to Find Your Size in Armani (And Why It's Not as Straightforward as You'd Think)

By Ella Blake | Tellar Fashion Hub

If you're shopping Armani and going in with your usual UK size, I'll stop you right there — Armani sizes small and you will almost certainly need to go up at least one, sometimes two sizes, depending on which line you're shopping. I learnt this the hard way when I confidently ordered a Giorgio Armani blazer in my normal 12 and spent an embarrassing ten minutes wrestling with the sleeves. Lesson learned. Let me save you the same ordeal.

Armani is one of those brands that rewards those who know the system — because once you crack it, you're dressing in some of the most beautifully constructed clothes on the planet. But that system? It starts with understanding that there are several very different Armani lines, each with their own sizing logic.

The Armani Family: Know Your Lines

This is where most people come unstuck. "Armani" isn't one single brand — it's a fashion house with multiple labels at different price points, and the sizing varies considerably between them:

Giorgio Armani — The main couture line. Runs significantly small. Italian sizing applies, and the cuts are slim and structured. If you're a UK 12, expect to wear a 46 or even 48.
Emporio Armani — The accessible luxury line. Still runs small, but slightly more relaxed in fit than the mainline. I'd still size up one.
Armani Exchange (A|X) — The most casual, streetwear-influenced line. Follows US/EU sizing and runs closest to true-to-size, although still on the slimmer side.
Armani Collezioni (now largely merged into Giorgio Armani) — Historically very slim, Italian cut. Size up two if you encounter older pieces.

The Armani Size Conversion Guide

Here's a quick reference table for women's sizing across the main Armani lines. Bear in mind this is a general guide — always check the specific garment measurements if you're shopping online:

UK SizeArmani IT SizeEU SizeUS Size84036410423861244408144642101648441218504614

One important caveat: Armani's sizing has evolved over the decades. Vintage pieces and archival Giorgio Armani run even smaller than the current range. If you're buying pre-loved, size up generously and always go by the measurements rather than the label.

What the Fit Actually Feels Like

Armani is famous for its precise, architectural tailoring — and that means the cut is everything. Even in the right size, the garments are designed to skim rather than drape. If you're between sizes, I always recommend going up. The Italian approach to sizing tends to assume a fairly narrow frame, so if you carry width through the shoulders, bust, or hips, add an extra size and have the waist taken in by a good tailor if needed. That sounds dramatic but it genuinely makes the difference between looking "fine" and looking like you've just stepped off a Milan runway.

Trousers and tailored skirts are where I've seen the most confusion. The waist on Armani suiting runs small — if you're ordering online, measure your natural waist and hips carefully and compare them against the brand's specific measurements, not just the size label.

Tips for Shopping Armani Online

Always use the brand's own size guide — it's more detailed than any third-party guide.
Read the material composition: jersey and stretch fabrics are more forgiving; pure wool or structured woven pieces are not.
Check customer reviews — Armani shoppers tend to be experienced and honest about fit in their reviews.
If buying a suit or separates as coordinates, it's worth measuring both pieces independently, as the jacket and trouser may work out differently.
For Armani Exchange specifically, the fit is generally slimmer and more body-conscious — if in doubt between two sizes, go up.

The Best High Street Alternatives for That Armani Feel

Not everyone is in a position to drop £600 on a blazer (and honestly, even when I can, I don't always). The good news is there are some genuinely excellent high street and mid-market brands doing Armani-adjacent tailoring right now:

Massimo Dutti — Consistently the closest high street equivalent to Armani's relaxed luxe tailoring. The fabrics punch above their price point.
Reiss — Brilliant for sharp, structured blazers and column trousers in neutral palettes. The tailoring is genuinely impressive.
Me&Em — Especially good for the softer, fluid side of Armani's aesthetic. The trousers are excellent.
Whistles — Great for minimalist tailoring at accessible prices. Clean lines, good quality.
Cos — The architectural silhouettes and muted palette make COS an obvious pick for the Armani-inspired wardrobe.
Ted Baker — Strong on occasion wear and tailored dresses with a slightly more feminine interpretation of the suit.
Jigsaw — Understated, well-cut and in the right colour palette. A perennially underrated option for classic tailoring.

For two more interesting picks — Totême (Swedish minimalism, incredible trousers, beloved by fashion editors) and Sandro (Parisian precision at a more accessible designer price point) are both worth your time if you're looking for that elevated, understated edge.

A Note on Body Shape and Armani

One of the things I genuinely love about Armani is how the brand designs for a certain kind of quiet confidence rather than trend-chasing. The elongated silhouettes and clean lines tend to work beautifully on taller frames, but the key for petite women is to stick to the slimmer suiting separates rather than oversized pieces — the proportions can overwhelm a shorter figure if you're not careful. For curvier bodies, the Emporio Armani stretch fabrics and jersey dresses are worth prioritising over rigid tailoring, and always order by measurements, not size label.

Never Guess Your Armani Size Again — Use Tellar

Finding your size in Armani (or any designer brand) doesn't need to be guesswork. Tellar.co.uk is the UK's leading free sizing tool — matching your exact body measurements to over 1,500 brands instantly. No downloads, no subscriptions, no faff.

Measure once — just your bust, waist, and hips (or use an existing size from a brand you know fits well).
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size across any brand — from Armani to Arket, COS to Reiss.
Always free — works directly in your browser, no sign-up needed.

Plus, the Tellar Fashion Hub is packed with free, honest, unsponsored style guides from our team of stylists — covering everything from brand sizing breakdowns to occasion wear edits. Independent. Unbiased. Always free.

More from the Tellar Fashion Hub: