What Is Sizing Like at Lanvin?

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

Lanvin runs small — noticeably so. The house uses French sizing, which typically comes up one to two sizes smaller than standard UK sizing, and the cuts are structured and tailored rather than relaxed. If you’re a UK 12, you will almost certainly need a Lanvin 42 rather than the 40 you might instinctively reach for. It’s one of those brands where getting the fit right makes all the difference, because when Lanvin fits well, it is spectacular. When it doesn’t, it looks stiff and uncomfortable, and for the price you’re paying, that’s painful.

How Lanvin Sizing Compares to UK Sizes

Lanvin uses standard French numeric sizing. Here’s a practical conversion guide to save you the headache:

Lanvin SizeUK SizeEU SizeUS Size346342368364381038640124084214421044164412

Now, the crucial caveat: this table is a starting point, not a guarantee. Lanvin’s cuts can vary considerably between categories. A blazer and a jersey dress are going to behave very differently even in the same numeric size. I always say: treat the table as your first guess, then check the actual garment measurements.

Garment by Garment: What to Expect

Dresses: Lanvin’s dresses are where the sizing can really catch you out. Many styles are quite fitted through the bust and waist, and the French sizing assumption is of a narrower frame than is typical for UK women. Size up at least one, sometimes two sizes if you’re fuller through the bust.
Blazers and tailoring: Structured and precise. Lanvin tailoring is beautifully cut but leaves very little room for error. If you are between sizes, size up — there is no give in these jackets whatsoever, and a too-small Lanvin blazer looks dreadful.
Knitwear: Slightly more forgiving than the tailoring, but still runs small. I’d size up one from your usual.
Trousers: The waist tends to run narrow. If you carry weight on your hips, size up and have the waist taken in by a tailor — it’s absolutely worth it on a piece like this.
Shoes and accessories: Lanvin shoes tend to run true to European size, so your usual EU size should work. Their bags, belts, and jewellery are obviously a one-size-fits-all situation, but the leather goods are divine and I have a small weakness for their ribbon ballet flats.

My Personal Lanvin Sizing Story (A Cautionary Tale)

A few years ago I was at a sample sale in Paris — yes, I know, the dream — and I grabbed a Lanvin silk dress in what I thought was my size, based on the EU conversion I had in my head. Reader, it did not fit. I was a good two centimetres short of getting the zip done up, which was both embarrassing and genuinely heartbreaking given the price I’d paid. Lesson very much learned: always try before you buy with Lanvin, and if you’re shopping online, email customer services and ask for the actual flat measurements of the garment. They’re usually very helpful, and it could save you an expensive return.

Lanvin’s Aesthetic — And Who It Suits

Founded in 1889, Lanvin is the oldest surviving French couture house, and that heritage runs through every collection. The current creative direction under Bruno Sialelli leans into an eclectic, sometimes theatrical luxury — think bold colours, sculptural shoulders, fluid evening pieces mixed with more playful daywear. It’s not for shrinking violets. The cuts reward a confident, upright posture, and the structured pieces work brilliantly on women with a defined waist or a more angular frame.

If you’re curvier, it’s not impossible — but focus on their jersey pieces, draped styles, and anything with a bit of stretch rather than the rigid tailoring. And always, always size up.

Getting the Best Fit: Practical Tips

Always request garment measurements when shopping online — Lanvin’s customer service is good about providing them
If buying tailoring or structured dresses, budget for a minor alteration — a good tailor can transform an almost-right Lanvin piece into a perfect one
Check returns policies before purchasing — Lanvin pieces bought online can usually be returned, but the window can be tight
Lanvin’s sizing has not dramatically changed with recent creative direction changes, so older pieces bought pre-owned should follow the same conversion guide
Pre-owned is absolutely a viable route — Lanvin is a brand that holds up beautifully with age. Vestiaire Collective and 1stDibs are the best sources

High Street & Premium Alternatives to Lanvin

Lanvin prices are very much at the top end of luxury. Here are the brands I’d point clients towards for a similar polished, Parisian-influenced aesthetic at a more accessible price:

High Street & Premium:

Whistles — Reliably elegant British brand with a quietly Parisian sensibility. Their tailoring and occasionwear consistently punch above their price point and the sizing is clear and consistent.
Reiss — The go-to for sharp, occasion-ready pieces on the British high street. Their structured blazers and shift dresses are particularly strong and feel genuinely grown-up.
LK Bennett — A British classic for polished dressing. Well-made, elegant pieces with a heritage feel that aligns well with the Lanvin customer.
Phase Eight — Brilliant for occasion dressing and evening pieces without the designer price tag. Their fit is reliable and they cater well to a range of body shapes.
Hobbs — Understated, beautifully made, and consistently good on quality. The tailoring range is particularly impressive for the price.
Ted Baker — For those who love the feminine, detailed approach to dressing. Great for occasion pieces and their dresses tend to have a flattering, fitted construction.
Claudie Pierlot — Genuinely French and consistently excellent for that relaxed Parisian chic. A natural stepping stone between the high street and full designer luxury.
Banana Republic — Underrated for quality tailoring and elevated basics that sit closer to the Lanvin aesthetic than you might expect. Worth a look, particularly for blazers and trousers.

Luxury & Designer:

Givenchy — Another storied French house with a similar commitment to structured, elegant dressing. Sizing is comparably snug, so apply the same size-up logic.
Valentino — For the maximalist, more dramatically beautiful end of French and Italian luxury. Exquisite craftsmanship and similarly precise sizing.

Two Independent Brands Worth Discovering

Rouje — A cult Parisian brand founded by Jeanne Damas that nails the effortless French-girl aesthetic at a fraction of couture prices. Romantic, feminine and beautifully made. If you love the Lanvin mood but not the price tag, Rouje is your answer. Ships to the UK.
Aeron — A Croatian luxury brand that has been quietly building a passionate following among fashion editors. Impeccably tailored, sculptural pieces with a modernist European sensibility that sits very comfortably alongside Lanvin in a wardrobe. Genuinely worth exploring.

Never Guess Your Lanvin Size Again

French sizing, narrow cuts, garment-by-garment variation — Lanvin is exactly the kind of brand where getting your size wrong is an expensive mistake. Tellar takes the guesswork out of it entirely.

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