What Is Sizing Like at Emporio Armani? Your Complete Guide

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

Emporio Armani runs small and narrow by UK standards — the brand uses Italian sizing, and as a general rule you'll need to size up at least one, sometimes two sizes compared to what you'd reach for on the British high street. I learned this the hard way: I once ordered a fitted blazer in what I confidently believed was my correct size, and I genuinely couldn't get both arms in at the same time. Not my finest fashion moment.

Once you understand the logic, though, EA is an incredibly rewarding brand to shop. The tailoring is exceptional, the fabric quality is seriously good for the price point, and — when you get the fit right — there are few labels that make you feel quite as pulled-together. So let me save you from the blazer situation.

Emporio Armani Size Conversions: Italian to UK

EA uses Italian (IT) sizing across all its womenswear lines

My rule of thumb: if you're normally a UK 12, order an IT 42. And always, always check the individual product measurements — EA's cut varies noticeably across categories.

Tailoring & Blazers: The Category Where Sizing Really Matters

This is EA's heartland, and honestly where the brand is at its absolute best. The structured blazers and tailored trousers are stunning — but the cut is long and lean, built around a straighter Italian silhouette with narrow shoulders.

Size up by one full size as a minimum for blazers — two if you have broader shoulders or a larger bust.
Blazer sleeves tend to run slightly long, which can work well if you like that slight overhang, but do bear it in mind.
The shoulders on EA jackets are the make-or-break point. If a shoulder seam sits correctly, the rest can be taken in. If it's too narrow, no tailor can fix it.
Trousers are slim and cut for a lean hip. I'd size up here too, and get the waist taken in if needed — it's a cheap alteration and worth every penny.

Knitwear & Tops: More Forgiving, But Still Italian-Cut

EA's knitwear is some of the most wearable in the range — softer, less structured, and with slightly more stretch. You can sometimes get away without sizing up if you prefer a closer, more streamlined fit. That said:

Fine-knit jumpers and polo necks: sizing up is still sensible, especially through the chest.
Casual T-shirts and jersey tops: these often have a little more ease built in. You might get away with your true Italian size here.
Always check if the fabric has any stretch content — if it's 100% cotton or wool, expect zero give.

Dresses: Beautiful, But Read the Fabric

EA does a brilliant range of dresses — everything from relaxed-day jersey pieces to serious occasion wear. The key variable is fabric composition:

Structured, woven dresses (silk-blend, crepe, cotton): size up by one, possibly two. These have no stretch and are cut slim.
Jersey dresses: I've found these truer to the Italian size — they're designed with drape rather than rigid structure in mind.
Bodycon and fitted silhouettes: be honest about measurements before you order. The sizing is unforgiving and the quality is too good to return unnecessarily.

Denim: Expect to Go Up Two Sizes

This catches so many people out. EA denim is gorgeous — slim, dark, beautifully finished — but it is cut very narrow. When I tried a pair in what my sizing chart suggested, they wouldn't close. I went up two sizes and they were perfect. Don't be thrown by the number on the label.

IT jeans sizing is separate from the Italian clothing system above — EA jeans are labelled 25, 26, 27, 28 etc. (waist inches).
Go up 1–2 waist sizes from your usual, and expect them to stretch a little once worn in.
High-waisted styles are particularly snug. Size up more generously here.

Footwear: Generally True to Size

Good news on the shoes front — EA footwear runs broadly true to UK sizing. Standard European conversion applies (UK 5 = EU 38, UK 6 = EU 39, etc.). If you're between sizes, half-size up in heels; half-size down in trainers and flat boots for a snugger fit.

Great Alternatives at Every Budget

If EA's sizing or price point feels like a stretch right now — or you want to build out a similar aesthetic for less — here's where I'd look:

High Street Picks

Massimo Dutti — the closest thing to designer tailoring on the high street. Lean, European cuts that bridge the gap to Armani beautifully.
Reiss — razor-sharp tailoring, great blazers, and the kind of quality that holds up season after season.
Me&Em — grown-up, investment-quality pieces with a polished edge. Brilliant for smart-casual dressing in the EA spirit.
Jigsaw — understated and well-made, with a very similar colour palette and European sensibility to Armani's diffusion line.
Ted Baker — particularly good for occasion dressing and workwear, with strong tailored dresses and suits.
Mango — punches genuinely above its price point in tailoring and suiting. A brilliant budget route into the structured, Italian-inspired look.
Hobbs — classic, well-tailored British pieces with excellent sizing consistency. If you're unsure where to start with smart workwear, Hobbs is a safe bet.

Independent Finds Worth Knowing

Kitri (kitristudio.com) — a brilliant British independent with the kind of thoughtful tailoring and print work that punches well above its price. Limited runs, considered design. Exactly the sort of brand that slots in alongside EA in a capsule wardrobe.
Albaray (albaray.com) — sustainably produced, beautifully designed womenswear with a clean, European aesthetic. If you love the Armani polish but want something a little more independent, this is it.

Premium & Luxury Tier

Giorgio Armani — if you love EA and want to go further up the Armani ladder, the main line offers the same Italian craftsmanship at the highest level.
Max Mara — unmistakably Italian, immaculately tailored, and a natural companion to Armani in any wardrobe. The camel coat is genuinely iconic.
Brunello Cucinelli — ultra-luxe Italian knitwear and tailoring for when budget is no object whatsoever.

Never Get Emporio Armani Sizing Wrong Again — Use Tellar

Sizing at EA is notoriously tricky, but Tellar.co.uk takes the guesswork out entirely. It's the UK's leading free sizing tool — just enter your measurements once and it instantly matches you to your correct size across 1,500+ brands, including Emporio Armani.

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And when you're done getting your size sorted, explore the Tellar Fashion Hub — hundreds of free, honest, unsponsored posts from our stylists covering every brand, body shape, and style question you've ever had.

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