What Is Sizing Like at Luisa Via Roma? A Stylist's Honest Guide

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

Luisa Via Roma is a multi-brand luxury retailer, which means sizing varies entirely by the individual brand or designer you're buying — there is no single "LVR size." However, the majority of pieces on the site are sized in European (IT or EU) numbers, and as a general rule, UK shoppers should expect to go up two sizes from their usual UK number: a UK 10 is typically an IT 42, and a UK 12 is an IT 44. Get that conversion lodged in your brain before you start browsing, because it will save you a lot of frustration — and potentially a very expensive return from Florence.

I've been shopping Luisa Via Roma on and off for years, mostly during their LVRSale events when even the most covetable pieces become — briefly — slightly less cardiac-arrest-inducing in price. The first time I bought there, I ordered a Valentino blouse in my usual UK 10 and received something that would have fitted a ten-year-old. I had completely ignored the IT sizing. It went back. The lesson, as ever, cost me a return label and about three days of embarrassment.

What Is Luisa Via Roma?

Luisa Via Roma started life as a small hat shop on Florence's famous Via Roma in 1929. Today it's one of the world's most respected luxury multi-brand e-tailers, stocking over 600 brands including Balenciaga, Valentino, Jacquemus, Bottega Veneta, Off-White, Marni, Loewe, and dozens more. Think of it as the Italian Net-a-Porter — curated, editorial, and genuinely exciting to browse. They also have a physical flagship store in Florence that is absolutely worth a visit if you're ever in the city.

Because it's a multi-brand platform, sizing knowledge is power here. You really do need to understand both the general Italian/European size conversion AND the specific fit quirks of whichever brand you're buying. I'll break both down for you.

The Italian Size Conversion — Your Starting Point

Most designer clothing on Luisa Via Roma uses Italian (IT) sizing, which runs as follows:

Italian (IT) SizeUK SizeEU SizeUS SizeBust (cm)Waist (cm)Hips (cm)3663428062883883648466924010386887096421240892741004414421096781044616441210082108

Note that some brands on LVR — particularly those with French or Scandinavian origins — use EU rather than IT sizing. Always check the specific brand's size guide on the product page before ordering.

How Sizing Works by Brand Category

This is where it gets interesting — and where a bit of insider knowledge genuinely pays off. Here's what I've found shopping the major brand types on LVR:

Italian luxury (Valentino, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana): These brands tend to cut slim and structured, particularly through the torso. If you're between sizes, always go up. Valentino in particular has a reputation for a narrow cut through the shoulders and chest.
French luxury (Jacquemus, Isabel Marant, A.P.C.): Generally use EU sizing and tend to cut for a more relaxed, Parisian-ease fit. Jacquemus especially — their dresses and tops can be quite fitted in the body, so check measurements carefully.
Contemporary luxury (Marni, Loewe, Bottega Veneta): These brands often have a more generous, sculptural cut. Marni in particular tends to run larger and more architectural — sizing down is often possible for a neater fit.
Streetwear crossover (Off-White, Balenciaga): Very intentionally oversized in many pieces. Check whether the style is meant to be fitted or oversized before making a size decision — it varies enormously by piece.
Knitwear across the board: Luxury knitwear tends to be cut generously. Unless the product description specifically says slim or fitted, expect a relaxed shape and don't size up unnecessarily.

Key Sizing Tips for Shopping Luisa Via Roma

Always read the individual brand size guide on the product page — LVR provides brand-specific guides alongside the general conversion chart, and they're genuinely useful.
Use the measurements, not just the size number. On a multi-brand platform with hundreds of designers, the number means very little in isolation. Your bust, waist, and hip measurements are your true guide.
Factor in returns before you buy. International returns from the UK are possible but can take time. Some sale items are non-returnable — check the terms carefully before committing.
LVRSale is brilliant but risky for sizing. The semi-annual sale (January and July) is when prices drop significantly, but sale pieces sometimes have limited sizes available — resist the temptation to buy a size that "might work." It won't.
Petite shoppers: Italian and French luxury designers typically cut for a longer torso and taller frame. Dresses and jumpsuits in particular may need hemming. Always check garment length measurements.
If you're fuller on the hip: Check waist-to-hip ratio carefully on structured pieces. Tailored Italian dresses are often cut with a smaller differential between waist and hip than you might expect.

High Street Alternatives — For the LVR Aesthetic at Accessible Prices

Not every piece needs to come with a four-figure price tag. If you love the LVR aesthetic — that polished, fashion-forward European sensibility — here's where I'd point you on the high street:

Zara — Consistently the best high street option for trend-driven, fashion-forward pieces with a European sensibility. Their structured blazers and tailored trousers genuinely punch above the price. EU sizing used throughout.
Anthropologie — For the more eclectic, artisan side of the LVR edit. Their dresses and knitwear carry a similar energy to brands like Zimmermann or Isabel Marant at a fraction of the price.
Ted Baker — Strong for occasion dressing with that elevated, dressed-up feel. Their evening pieces have genuine designer energy and consistent UK sizing makes ordering easier.
Hugo Boss — For the tailored, structured Italian-style suiting and workwear that features heavily on LVR. Boss does this very well at a much more accessible price point.
Reiss — Clean, polished, and well-cut. Reiss captures that quiet luxury sensibility — minimal branding, quality fabrics, sharp silhouettes — that runs through a lot of what LVR stocks.
Phase Eight — A genuinely underrated choice for occasion dressing. Their fluid, feminine pieces often echo the more dressed-up end of the LVR edit without the designer price tag.
All Saints — For the darker, more editorial, fashion-forward pieces. Strong on leather and textured fabrics with a distinctly European aesthetic.

Premium & Designer Alternatives

Net-a-Porter — The obvious UK-based alternative for luxury multi-brand shopping. Similar brand edit to LVR with arguably easier UK returns logistics. Worth comparing prices between the two — they do vary.
Mytheresa — Another strong luxury multi-brand platform with a slightly more curated, pared-back edit. Their customer service and returns process is excellent.

Two Independent Brands Worth Discovering

Rohe — A Dutch contemporary label that has been quietly building a devoted following among the fashion crowd. Beautifully constructed, relaxed tailoring with a very European sensibility — think the kind of pieces that would sit comfortably on LVR alongside much bigger names. Sizing runs true to EU standard.
Baserange — A Copenhagen-based label producing some of the most considered, body-aware basics in the market. Their sizing philosophy is notably inclusive and they publish detailed body measurements for every piece. For anyone who struggles with luxury sizing, Baserange is a genuine breath of fresh air.

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