United Colours of Benetton Sizing: Does It Run Small?

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

Yes — United Colours of Benetton tends to run small compared to standard UK sizing, particularly in structured and woven pieces, so as a general rule you should size up by one, especially in trousers, shirts and fitted dresses. Knitwear (their absolute bread and butter) is more forgiving and usually runs true to size, but anything tailored or non-stretch will catch you out if you're not paying attention.

I've been a fan of Benetton since I spotted one of their chunky merino crew-necks in about 2019 and thought, "hang on, this is genuinely good quality for the price." Since then I've bought their knitwear religiously. But I've also made the classic mistake of ordering a pair of their tailored trousers in my usual size and having a bit of a moment when they wouldn't do up properly — very much a fashion fail moment. The lesson? Italian sizing is not the same as UK sizing, and Benetton is very much Italian at heart.

Why Does Benetton Sizing Feel Different?

Benetton was founded in Treviso, Italy, in 1965, and despite being a global brand today, its sizing roots remain firmly Italian. Italian sizing tends to be cut narrower through the waist and hips than UK or US equivalents. Add to that the fact that Benetton uses EU size labels (36, 38, 40, 42 and so on) rather than straightforward S/M/L, and the whole thing can get a bit confusing when you're shopping online and the size chart is buried three clicks away.

The good news is that once you know your Benetton number, you're sorted. The bad news is that that number is probably not what you'd expect.

Benetton Size Conversion Chart — Women's

Benetton / EU SizeUK SizeUS SizeBust (cm)Waist (cm)Hips (cm)XS / 3662765883S / 3884806287S / 40106846691M / 42128887095L / 441410927499XL / 4616129779104XXL / 48181410284109

Always measure your bust, waist and hips and compare to the chart rather than relying on your standard UK size. For Benetton, the measurements are more reliable than the label.

Sizing by Garment Type

Knitwear & Jumpers

This is Benetton's strongest category — the merino, lambswool and wool-blend jumpers are genuinely lovely and among the best on the high street at their price point. Sizing here is mostly true to size. If you want a relaxed, slightly oversized feel (which is very much how they're styled on their site), go for your usual size. If you prefer a neater, more fitted look, size down one. I wear a UK 12 and I take a 42 in their knitwear — it's exactly right.

Trousers & Jeans

This is where people come unstuck. Benetton trousers are cut slim through the hip and thigh, with a narrower waist than many UK shoppers are used to. I'd strongly recommend sizing up at least one here, particularly if the fabric has no stretch. Their jeans use Italian numbering (25, 26, 27 etc. for waist) so measure your waist in inches and go from there. If you're between sizes, always go up — you can belt a slightly loose waistband, but you can't breathe in trousers that are too tight.

Shirts & Blouses

Their cotton and poplin shirts run small in the bust and chest. This is classic Italian tailoring — it's designed for a neat, close fit. If you're broader across the shoulders or larger in the bust, go up one or even two sizes. The cut through the body is quite slim, so don't be alarmed if you find yourself in a size you wouldn't normally wear — it's the cut, not you.

Dresses

Depends enormously on the style. Jersey and relaxed-fit dresses tend to be more forgiving and are generally true to size. Structured shift dresses, anything tailored, or lined styles will run small — size up to be safe. Check whether the fabric has any stretch before ordering; if it doesn't, go up.

Coats & Outerwear

Benetton's wool coats and blazers are cut slim through the shoulders and arms — a common issue with Italian outerwear generally. If you're broad-shouldered or planning to layer underneath (and in a British winter, you will be), size up by one. I've tried their long wool coats and found the sleeve length on the shorter side too, so taller women may want to check that measurement carefully.

My Practical Tip

Knitwear: True to size. Size down for a neat fit, your usual for relaxed.
Trousers and jeans: Size up. Always. This is non-negotiable if you have any shape around the hips or thighs.
Shirts and woven tops: Size up if you're fuller in the bust or shoulders.
Dresses: True to size in jersey; size up in structured or tailored styles.
Coats: Size up if you're broad across the back or want to layer properly.
General rule: If it's got stretch, you'll probably be fine. If it doesn't, go up.

Never Guess Your Benetton Size Again

Tellar is the UK's leading free sizing tool — just enter your measurements once and instantly see your precise size across 1,500+ brands, including United Colours of Benetton. No more returns. No more guessing.

✅ Measure once using bust, waist, hip, or an existing brand size
✅ Use the Store Size Lookup tool to find your size in any brand instantly
✅ Completely free — no downloads, no subscriptions, works in-browser

Plus, explore the Tellar Fashion Hub — a library of honest, unbiased, unsponsored fashion posts from our expert stylists. No ads. No sponsored content. Just genuinely useful advice.

Find My Benetton Size →

If Benetton Doesn't Quite Fit Your Shape — Try These Instead

Not every brand works for every body, and Benetton's slim Italian cut can be genuinely tricky if you're pear-shaped, broader across the shoulder, or tall. Here are my favourite alternatives across every budget:

High Street Picks

Massimo Dutti — Similar European aesthetic and quality knitwear, but often cut a little more generously through the body. If you love the Benetton look but want more room, start here.
Mango — Great for the colourful, clean-lined basics that Benetton does well, with slightly more relaxed sizing across most categories.
Cos — Minimalist, beautifully made, and sized more generously for UK bodies. Their knitwear is excellent.
White Stuff — Wonderful for those who love Benetton's softness and colour but want something that fits the UK body shape more naturally — particularly good for pear shapes.
Whistles — Smart, grown-up basics with a clean aesthetic. Sizing is consistent and more forgiving than Benetton in structured pieces.
Me&Em — One of the best British brands for quality casual-smart dressing. Sizes up well, excellent knitwear, and you don't need to second-guess the fit.
Boden — If you love Benetton's cheerful use of colour, Boden will make you very happy — and the sizing is much more straightforward for UK women.
Reiss — For Benetton's more tailored pieces, Reiss is a better fit (literally) for UK shapes — structured, elegant, and reliably sized.

Independent & Niche Picks

Jumper 1234 — A brilliant London-based brand doing exactly what it says on the tin. Exceptional knitwear in beautiful colours — if you buy Benetton for the jumpers, you need to know about Jumper 1234. The quality is a genuine step up.
Chalk UK — A quietly brilliant independent label with a French-inflected, laid-back sensibility. Relaxed, unfussy, beautifully made — and sized with real women in mind. Think Benetton's ease with a more British softness.