What Is Sizing Like at Elisabetta Franchi?

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

Elisabetta Franchi runs small and narrow — the brand itself openly states that its fit is "usually narrow," and the Italian sizing system means most UK shoppers will need to go up at least one size, sometimes two, compared to what they'd ordinarily wear. This is one of those brands where getting your measurements right before you buy isn't just helpful — it's genuinely essential.

I remember the first time I lusted after an EF dress in a boutique window in Leeds. Stunning — that sleek, sculpted Italian silhouette that makes you feel like you should be sipping Aperol on a rooftop terrace. I ordered what I thought was my size and what arrived was basically a very expensive tube of silk that I could not zip past my hips. Lesson learned. This brand is cut for a specific shape and if you don't know the numbers, you'll be caught out. So let me save you the stress.

The Basics: Italian Sizing and What It Means

Elisabetta Franchi uses Italian/European sizing. For UK shoppers, this is where the confusion begins. A rough conversion guide:

Italian 38 = approx UK 8–10
Italian 40 = approx UK 10–12
Italian 42 = approx UK 12–14
Italian 44 = approx UK 14–16

But — and this is important — the conversions above are just a starting point. Because EF cuts its clothes narrow and close to the body, the practical experience is that many women end up in an Italian size that's two sizes above what their usual UK label says. If you're a UK 10, try an Italian 42. If you're a UK 12, try a 44. That might feel counterintuitive, but it's very common with this brand.

How Each Category Fits

The sizing picture changes depending on what you're buying, so it's worth going through the main categories:

Dresses (fitted & cocktail styles): The most body-conscious pieces in the range. They're designed to be second-skin close, especially styles made in EF's signature "bielastic" stretch fabric. These pieces move with you brilliantly once you're in the right size — but there's no forgiveness if you've gone too small. Size up if in any doubt.
Evening & tulle gowns: These are non-stretch and cut true to Italian size with very little room to manoeuvre. Measure your bust and waist carefully and compare directly to the brand size guide before ordering.
Blazers & tailored jackets: Fitted styles can be tight across the bust and shoulders — I'd always size up for comfort and to allow layering underneath. Oversized or relaxed-cut jackets are more forgiving and you can stay with your usual Italian equivalent.
Trousers & skirts: Cut slim through the hip and thigh. The waist is often enhanced with bands or belts — pay close attention to your hip measurement here rather than just going by waist size. A little extra room is always better than fighting with a zip.
Knitwear & tops: Generally runs on the tighter side. Ribbed and fitted knits especially — size up. More relaxed jersey styles tend to be slightly more accommodating.
Coats & outerwear: Varies by style. The more structured, nipped-waist styles run narrow; oversized parka-style pieces can be taken in your usual Italian size equivalent. Always check whether the style is described as "slim" or "oversized" before committing.

My Tips for Getting It Right First Time

After a few hard lessons, here's my personal checklist before buying from EF:

Always measure — don't rely on garment labels from other brands. Bust, waist and hip measurements against EF's own chart is non-negotiable.
Check the fabric composition — if there's elastane or lycra in the mix, the garment has stretch and will be more forgiving. If it's pure crepe, silk or tulle, it won't give at all, so you need to be right on the measurement.
Read the product description carefully — EF often notes on individual product pages whether a style has a "tight fit" or a "comfortable fit." These small notes are genuinely useful.
When in doubt, size up — you can always have something taken in by a tailor. An EF dress that's a little snug is not a problem that fixes itself.

Is Elisabetta Franchi Good for Curvy or Fuller Figures?

Honestly, EF can be tricky if you carry weight on your hips relative to your waist, because the brand's signature aesthetic is that defined, sculpted Italian silhouette — it's fundamentally waist-focused. The bielastic stretch pieces are the most accommodating for curves because the fabric really does adapt. But if your hips are significantly wider than your waist, you may find the fitted non-stretch styles frustrating — the hip measurement is often the limiting factor. Always size to your largest measurement and adjust from there.

The size range typically runs from Italian 36 to 50, which covers roughly UK 6–20, although availability in larger sizes varies by style and season. It's not the widest range in luxury fashion, but it's improving.

Alternatives at Every Price Point

If EF's sizing feels like too much guesswork for now, or you're looking for a more accessible version of that polished, Italian-influenced feminine aesthetic — here's where I'd send my clients:

High street picks:

French Connection — long been the high street's answer to bodycon-adjacent dressing. Their occasion dresses and jersey pieces have a similar sensibility to EF at a fraction of the price, and the sizing is predictable and well-documented.
Ted Baker — gorgeous for that EF-esque evening look. Ted Baker dresses have real elegance and the sizing (while using a 0–5 scale) is consistent across the range once you know your number.
Reiss — if you love EF's tailoring and clean lines but want something more wearable day-to-day, Reiss is brilliant. Their blazers and trousers especially have an Italian quality feel at a far more approachable price.
LK Bennett — the queen of occasion-ready British dressing. Similar dress shapes to EF but cut for a UK audience, with reliable sizing that doesn't require a measuring tape and a prayer.
Phase Eight — excellent for the same formal and occasion category, particularly flattering on curvier figures. Sizing runs consistently and they do beautifully in the midi dress space.
Hobbs — smart, feminine, impeccably made for a high street price point. Their tailoring rivals much pricier brands and you know exactly what you're getting size-wise.
Coast — when you want the full EF glamour effect but the budget isn't there. Coast does occasion dressing seriously well and their fit is reliable.

Premium alternative:

Claudie Pierlot — French label with a beautifully polished, feminine aesthetic. Similar occasion-wear credentials to EF but with more relaxed, Parisian sizing that's generally easier to navigate.
Hugo Boss — for EF fans who love the sharp tailoring side of the brand. Boss womenswear has exceptional blazers and structured pieces with clean, sophisticated sizing.

Luxury step-up:

Max Mara — if you're already spending at the top of the EF range, Max Mara is where I'd tell you to put your money. The quality is extraordinary, the fit is impeccable, and the silhouettes are equally feminine without being quite so unforgiving through the hip.

Two independent brands worth knowing:

Self-Portrait — a British designer brand with a massive celebrity following and exactly the same glamorous, evening-forward aesthetic as EF. Their lace midi dresses and puff-sleeve styles are genuinely stunning, and for a luxury-feeling event dress, they're outstanding value. Sizing is more consistently documented than EF, too.
Rotate Birger Christensen — a Danish label that has quietly become the go-to for occasion dressing among fashion insiders. Think bold, sculptural shapes, premium fabrics, and the kind of presence that EF buyers are chasing. Finding it is half the fun — check Wolf & Badger or Selfridges.

Stop Guessing Your Elisabetta Franchi Size — Use Tellar

Elisabetta Franchi's Italian sizing, narrow cuts, and fit that varies by fabric and style make it one of the trickier luxury brands to buy online without a proper sizing reference. That's exactly what Tellar.co.uk is built for.

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