What Is Sizing Like at Herno?

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

Herno sizes small — genuinely, noticeably small — and if you don't know this going in, you will be unpleasantly surprised. This is an Italian brand, it sizes like one, and you should plan on going up at least one full size, sometimes two, from your usual UK size. I made the mistake myself a few years back: ordered a coat in what the conversion chart told me was my size, and when it arrived it looked like something borrowed from a very chic twelve-year-old. Beautiful coat. Wrong size. Expensive lesson.

Who Is Herno?

Herno was founded in 1948 in Lesa, a small town on the edge of Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. It started as a rainwear company, and that technical foundation — knowing exactly how fabric should perform in the cold, the wet, the wind — underpins everything the brand makes to this day. What sets Herno apart in a very crowded luxury outerwear market is the combination of serious function and genuine elegance. A padded jacket that actually looks polished is rarer than it should be. Herno pulls it off consistently.

The brand has expanded into full ready-to-wear over the decades, but coats and outerwear remain its soul. Their down-filled pieces in particular have become near-cult items — incredibly lightweight, properly warm, and cut with a precision that makes most other puffer jackets look like an afterthought. Their Laminar and Globe collections push technical fabrication into genuinely impressive territory. Once you've tried a Herno coat, it's quite hard to go back to anything else. That's both a compliment and a warning for your bank account.

Herno Sizing: The Full Breakdown

Herno uses Italian sizing throughout its range. Here's your conversion table — though please do read the notes below it, because the numbers alone only tell half the story:

Herno (Italian)UK SizeEU SizeUS Size366–8342388–103644010–123864212–144084414–1642104616–18441248184614

My practical advice: take your UK size, apply the conversion above, then go up one further. If you have broader shoulders or a fuller bust, consider going up two. The brand cuts slim through the chest and shoulders — this is Italian tailoring, after all — and the structured fabrics have very little give. It's also worth noting that Herno stops at a size 48, which is broadly a UK 18. That ceiling is a limitation worth factoring in before you fall for something on the website.

Does It Vary By Style? Absolutely — Here's What to Expect

Not every Herno piece fits the same way. The category matters a great deal, so here's my honest breakdown:

Down jackets and puffer coats: Size up one from your Italian conversion. The outer shells are cut slim and — crucially — the down fill needs space to loft properly. A puffer jacket that's too tight across the chest won't keep you warm. It's physics as much as fashion.
Structured wool and cashmere coats: Size up one, and if you're between sizes or carry width across the back, size up two. These are beautifully tailored and the fabrics are unforgiving. The shoulder seam is everything in a structured coat — if it sits even slightly off, the whole thing looks wrong no matter how expensive it is.
Laminar technical jackets: Slightly more relaxed in the cut, but still Italian sizing — so still size up one from your UK size. These are the most forgiving pieces in the range.
Knitwear: True to your Italian size conversion. The knits carry natural ease and the yarns have a small amount of stretch, so you don't need the extra room allowance here.
Trousers and tailored pieces: Size up one. Cut slim through the hip and thigh — the Italian precision applies in full.

Think About What You're Wearing Underneath

This sounds obvious but I've watched so many clients get it wrong: when you're buying a coat, think about your heaviest winter layering situation, not your lightest. A Herno coat worn over a silk blouse in October is a completely different fit to the same coat over a chunky roll-neck in February. I always size for the January scenario. A coat with a little extra room looks intentional and easy. A coat that's straining across the back looks expensive and uncomfortable — which is a uniquely dispiriting combination.

One genuinely lovely thing about Herno: the sleeves tend to run long, which is a real pleasure for anyone who has spent years watching coat sleeves creep embarrassingly towards the elbow.

Where to Shop: Herno Alternatives at Every Budget

Herno coats start around £600 and rise comfortably to £2,000 and beyond. Here's where I'd send clients at different price points — all chosen for that same emphasis on quality outerwear with real longevity.

HIGH STREET

Barbour — The British outerwear institution with over a century of craft behind it. Waxed jackets, quilted coats and down-filled styles that combine heritage and function brilliantly. Sizing runs true to UK throughout. A genuine investment piece at an accessible price.
Whistles — Consistently excellent for quality outerwear that's vastly underrated. Their wool-blend coats and longline styles are beautifully cut and built to last. True to UK sizing, and the cuts flatter a range of body shapes well.
Mango — One of the most reliable high-street names for chic outerwear. Their wool-blend coats and padded jackets hit a quality level well above the price point. Note that Mango tends to run small — go up one size.
Massimo Dutti — Seriously impressive for structured coats and technical jackets at mid-range prices. The fabric and construction quality genuinely punches above its weight. Consistent true-to-UK sizing.
Gant — Smart, functional outerwear rooted in that same understated, quality-first sensibility that Herno embodies. Particularly good for down-filled and technical styles. Sizing runs true to UK.
Jigsaw — Understated, thoughtfully made, and chronically overlooked. Their outerwear channels that same considered, investment-piece philosophy as Herno at a fraction of the price. True to UK sizing.
Seasalt Cornwall — For practical, properly made British outerwear without a London price tag. Their coats and waterproofs are built for real weather and real life. Sizing is true to UK throughout.

PREMIUM

Me&Em — One of the best contemporary British brands for quality outerwear. Their longline wool coats are genuinely exceptional for the price, and the sizing is true to UK with cuts designed for real women rather than runway samples.
Reiss — Well-tailored coats and outerwear with quality that has improved substantially in recent years. Strong for structured wool styles and smart occasion outerwear. True to UK sizing.
Hobbs — Reliable, beautifully made British outerwear from a brand that truly understands how to cut for women. Their coat range is consistently strong season after season. True to UK sizing.

LUXURY & DESIGNER

Max Mara — The Italian coat brand against which all others are measured. The Teddy Bear coat is a genuine icon, and the broader outerwear range is extraordinary. Also uses Italian sizing — same sizing-up rules as Herno apply.
Moncler — The natural luxury comparison for Herno's down jacket range. Technical excellence, iconic design, and that unmistakable brand authority. Italian sizing — size up from your UK conversion.
Canada Goose — For serious technical performance at the luxury end. Less focused on fashion, more on function executed to an extraordinary standard. Canadian sizing runs more generously — broadly true to UK.

Two Independent Brands Worth Discovering

Moose Knuckles — A Canadian independent making genuinely impressive luxury outerwear that rivals Herno for warmth and construction quality. Their down parkas and bomber jackets are exceptional. North American sizing runs true to UK — no need to size up here.
Samsøe Samsøe — A Danish independent with a devoted following for thoughtful, high-quality outerwear and knitwear. Beautiful fabrics, clean Scandinavian lines, and a quietly confident aesthetic that Herno fans will immediately understand. Runs slightly small — size up one from UK.

📌 More from the Tellar Fashion Hub:

The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide

Jeans Trends 2026 – What to Wear Now

Ultimate Guide to Dresses & Best Buys

Ultimate Guide to Jackets & Best Buys

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