What Is Sizing Like at Loro Piana?

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

Loro Piana sizes true to Italian sizing, which translates cleanly to standard UK sizing when you use the conversion table below — so if you know your UK size, you generally don't need to go up or down. That said, there are a few nuances worth knowing before you spend four figures on a cashmere jumper, and trust me, I've learned some of them the hard way.

I remember the first time I handled a Loro Piana piece in person — it was a double-faced cashmere coat in a Harrods concession years ago, and I genuinely stood there stroking the sleeve for an embarrassingly long amount of time. The quality is extraordinary. But the sizing? A little more considered than simply picking your usual number and hoping for the best.

The Loro Piana Size Conversion Chart

Loro Piana uses Italian sizing across all their garment categories. Here's how those sizes map across the main global sizing systems:

Italian (IT)UKUSEUFrench (FR)36843636381063838401284040421410424244161244444618144646

The good news is that unlike some other Italian luxury houses, Loro Piana doesn't veer dramatically in one direction. The conversion above is a reliable starting point for most women. But — and this is important — the category of garment really does matter.

Knitwear & Cashmere: The Loro Piana Core

This is what the brand is genuinely world-famous for, and it's where I'd urge you to pay closest attention to fit. Their knitwear — from the iconic Roadster jumpers to their fine-gauge cashmere turtlenecks — is cut close to the body. If you're between sizes or carry weight across the upper back or bust, I'd strongly recommend sizing up.

Fine-gauge knits (turtlenecks, crew necks): These run snug. If you're a UK 12 but full-busted, go for the IT 42 without hesitation.
Chunky cashmere styles (thicker knits, cable styles): More relaxed in cut. Stick to your true size unless you want an oversized look.
Baby cashmere pieces: Incredibly fine, incredibly soft, and genuinely true to size — size up only if you like a looser fit.

A client of mine once ordered a Loro Piana cashmere rollneck in her standard IT 40 and found the shoulders sat perfectly but the body was quite fitted across the ribs. She kept it — it looked stunning — but had she wanted a more relaxed weekend feel, the IT 42 would have been the better call.

Outerwear: Coats, Gilets & Jackets

This is where Loro Piana is actually quite generous. Their coats and outerwear are designed to layer over knitwear, which is very much the brand's natural habitat (you're meant to wear the cashmere underneath the cashmere, essentially). As a result:

Coats & long jackets: Tend to be cut with room. If you're between sizes, size down for a more tailored silhouette.
Gilets & padded styles: True to size with a comfortable fit. These are not oversized in nature but allow easy layering.
Storm System® waterproof styles: Cut slightly more athletic in shape. Go with your standard size but do check the chest measurement if you're fuller across the bust.

Trousers, Skirts & Occasion Pieces

Loro Piana's tailored pieces — their trousers especially — run true to Italian sizing and are designed with a leaner, European silhouette in mind. If you have fuller hips or thighs relative to your waist, I'd advise fitting to your hip and taking any waist adjustment to a good tailor. It's a small cost on a garment you'll likely own for a decade.

Trousers: Slim through the hip and thigh. Size up if in doubt — easier to alter the waist than let out a seam.
Skirts: More forgiving. True to size in most styles.
Occasion & resort pieces: Slightly relaxed. Your standard size should work well.

Shoes & Accessories

Loro Piana footwear runs true to European sizing — so your standard EU shoe size translates directly. Their loafers and moccasins (which are genuinely some of the most comfortable shoes I have ever put on a client's foot) come up true to size, though if you're a half size, go up. The leather is supple enough to mould over time, but you don't want to start uncomfortable.

Tips Before You Buy

If shopping in-store at Harrods, Selfridges, or a Loro Piana boutique, always try on. The staff are knowledgeable and genuinely helpful about fit.
When ordering online, use Loro Piana's own size guide and cross-reference your measurements — bust, waist, and hip — rather than relying on your usual number alone.
Loro Piana pieces are investment buys. If you're uncertain, order two sizes and return one. It's worth it.
Note that some runway and limited pieces are cut slightly more fashion-forward and may size differently to the mainline collection.

Brilliant Alternatives If Loro Piana Is Stretching the Budget

Look, I adore Loro Piana, but it is genuinely one of the most expensive brands in the world. Here are my honest picks for where to find that same spirit of quiet luxury and refined knitwear at more accessible price points — broken down by budget.

High Street & Accessible Brands

Cos — Excellent fine-knit separates with a clean, minimal aesthetic. Their cashmere-blend pieces are really well-priced and the sizing is consistent.
Whistles — Beautifully cut, understated pieces with real quality at the price. Their knitwear in particular punches well above its cost.
Jigsaw — One of the most underrated names on the British high street for elevated basics. Their pure wool and cashmere-mix jumpers are excellent.
Me&Em — British brand delivering that polished, grown-up aesthetic that Loro Piana shoppers love. Brilliant cashmere options and the sizing is generous and true.
Mint Velvet — For those wanting a touch of softness and femininity in their luxury-adjacent wardrobe. Great coats and knitwear for the price.
Hobbs — Quietly sophisticated, well-made pieces with a very Loro Piana-adjacent sensibility. Especially good for occasion coats and tailoring.
Reiss — If you want sharp tailoring and elevated basics at a fraction of the price. Their outerwear is particularly strong season after season.
Massimo Dutti — Possibly the best high-street alternative for that continental, understated luxury feel. Their wool and cashmere pieces are genuinely impressive quality for the price point.

Two Independent Picks Worth Knowing About

Begg x Co — A Scottish heritage scarves and knitwear label producing some of the finest cashmere and wool pieces in Britain. Used by some of the world's most prestigious fashion houses and utterly deserving of a spot in your wardrobe. The quality is extraordinary.
Luisa Spagnoli — An Italian brand with decades of heritage in fine knitwear that somehow remains a well-kept secret outside Italy. Beautifully crafted cashmere and wool pieces at a fraction of Loro Piana's prices. If you want that authentic Italian luxury DNA, this is your brand.

Never Guess Your Size Again — Use Tellar

If you're shopping Loro Piana or any of the brands above and want to be absolutely certain of your size before you buy, Tellar is the UK's leading clothing sizing tool — completely free, unbiased, and covering 1,500+ brands.

Measure once — enter your bust, waist, hip, or an existing brand size you know fits.
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size in any brand, from Loro Piana to COS, Reiss, Arket and beyond.
Always free — no downloads, no subscriptions. Works instantly in-browser.

Plus, explore the Tellar Fashion Hub — a library stacked with free posts from our stylists. Honest. Unbiased. Independent. Always free.

Visit Tellar → Find Your Size →