What Is Sizing Like at Malo?

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

Malo uses Italian sizing, which runs approximately two sizes larger than UK sizing — so an IT 40 is a UK 12, and that conversion holds consistently across their collection. What you do need to know, though, is that Malo cuts their knitwear close and slim in the Italian tradition, which means the number on the label is only half the story.

I'll be honest: Malo is one of those brands that doesn't get nearly enough column inches in British fashion press, and I genuinely can't work out why. Founded in Florence in 1972, they have been quietly producing some of the most exquisite cashmere in the world for over five decades. Think Loro Piana's softer, slightly less corporate sibling — deeply luxurious, beautifully crafted, and cut with that unmistakable Italian precision. Once you've worn a Malo piece, you'll understand the obsession.

I was introduced to the brand by a client who'd picked up a fine-gauge cashmere cardigan on a trip to Milan and had worn it virtually every day for three winters. Still perfect. That's the Malo promise.

The Malo Size Conversion Chart

Malo follows standard Italian sizing conventions. Use this table as your starting point — and then read on, because fit varies meaningfully by garment type.

Italian (IT)UKUSEUFrench (FR)36843636381063838401284040421410424244161244444618144646

One important note: Malo's size range is more limited than some luxury houses. Many styles run from IT 38 to IT 44, which covers UK 10 to UK 16. If you're outside that range, it's worth checking individual product pages carefully before ordering.

Knitwear: The Heart of the Brand

Cashmere knitwear is Malo's entire raison d'être, and it is here that their sizing quirks matter most. Their knits are cut in the Florentine tradition — elegant, body-conscious, designed to skim rather than drown. This is not the brand for slouchy oversized weekend dressing. This is the brand for looking effortlessly, quietly perfect.

Fine-gauge cashmere (crew necks, V-necks, roll-necks): These run slim through the body and arms. If you are at all full across the bust or have a broader back, size up without hesitation. The fabric has minimal stretch and the silhouette is intentionally close.
Mid-weight knits and cardigan styles: A little more relaxed in the body but still cut lean through the shoulder. Stick to your standard conversion unless you prefer volume — in which case, go one up.
Baby cashmere & vicuna pieces: Malo is one of very few houses working with baby cashmere and vicuna at any scale. These ultra-fine styles run true to size and are genuinely some of the most precious pieces you can own. Handle with care — and fit them properly.
Cashmere-silk blends: These have a slightly more fluid drape than pure cashmere and feel a little more forgiving around the body. True to size, with a subtle luxe sheen that's very beautiful.

My honest advice: if you're buying Malo knitwear online for the first time, order your standard size and one size up and return the one that doesn't fit. These pieces are too good — and too expensive — to end up ill-fitting in a drawer.

Coats & Outerwear

Malo produces a smaller outerwear range than some of their peers but what they do make is exceptional — particularly their cashmere coats and double-faced wool styles. The cut here tends to be slightly more generous than their knitwear, as you'd expect for layering pieces.

Cashmere coats: Cut with beautiful, clean lines and a relaxed but structured body. If you're between sizes, going down gives a more tailored, contemporary look. Going with your standard size gives a classic, easy fit.
Wool & cashmere blend jackets: True to size with a flattering, feminine cut. These are not oversized styles — Malo outerwear always looks intentional and polished.

Trousers & Bottom Wear

Malo's trouser range is less extensive than their knitwear but is worth noting. Like most Italian luxury brands, the cut is designed with a lean European figure in mind — slim through the hip and thigh with a higher waist than many British shoppers might be used to.

If you carry more volume in the hip or thigh relative to your waist, fit to your hip measurement and have the waist taken in by a tailor. A good alteration is nothing to be ashamed of on a luxury piece — it's just getting the most out of your investment.
Their cashmere-blend trousers and jogger styles are slightly more relaxed. Size up if you want ease of movement.

Key Fit Tips Before You Buy

Always cross-reference Malo's own size guide measurements — bust and waist in particular — rather than relying on your usual size number alone.
If shopping at a Malo stockist (Net-a-Porter, Harrods, or specialist Italian fashion boutiques), ask for guidance. Sales staff who carry the brand know it intimately.
Malo pieces age beautifully when cared for correctly. Hand-wash in cool water or use a specialist cashmere wash — never tumble dry. Treat them right and they will genuinely last a lifetime.
The brand does occasionally release slightly more directional, fashion-forward pieces each season that may deviate from their standard sizing. Always check the individual size chart for these.

Where to Shop If Malo Is Out of Reach Right Now

Malo sits at the very top end of the luxury cashmere market — prices reflect that. Here are my genuine picks for where to find that same refined, understated quality at more accessible price points. All chosen with care, none of them obvious defaults.

High Street & Accessible Picks

The White Company — Possibly the best high street destination in the UK for cashmere knitwear. Their pure cashmere pieces are excellent quality for the price, well-cut, and come in a genuinely lovely range of classic colours. A brilliant everyday alternative.
Phase Eight — Beautifully made knitwear and occasionwear with a grown-up, polished sensibility. Their cashmere-blend jumpers and fine-knit styles sit in very Malo-ish territory aesthetically.
LK Bennett — For that quietly elegant, understated British sophistication. Excellent quality knitwear and tailoring, particularly strong for the office-to-evening wardrobe.
Boden — Their cashmere range is consistently well-reviewed and honestly one of the best-value pure cashmere options on the British market. The colour palette is brilliant too.
White Stuff — Underrated for elevated knitwear with a relaxed but thoughtful aesthetic. Their cotton-cashmere and merino blends are particularly good and size consistently well.
Anthropologie — For those wanting something with a little more personality and texture alongside the luxury feel. Their fine-knit and boutique-style pieces channel a similar quiet confidence to Malo.
Gant — A sleek, preppy-meets-European sensibility that works very well as a Malo alternative for classic, refined knitwear. Their merino and lambswool pieces are consistently strong.
Ted Baker — Well-crafted knitwear with a distinctly British flair. Their evening-appropriate knits and tailored separates make a good pick for anyone who loves Malo's more dressed-up pieces.

Two Independent Picks You Should Know About

Johnstons of Elgin — A Scottish heritage brand that has been weaving cashmere and fine wool since 1797. Genuinely extraordinary quality, completely under-the-radar with the mainstream fashion crowd, and a deeply satisfying buy. Their cashmere knitwear is world-class and the brand supplies fabric to some of the biggest names in luxury fashion.
Brora — A Scottish cashmere brand beloved by those in the know — think country houses, Chelsea kitchens, and anyone with a serious appreciation for quality knitwear. Their pure cashmere jumpers, cardigans, and scarves are exquisite, beautifully sized, and last for years. If you want the Malo feeling at a fraction of the price, Brora is where I'd send you first.

Get Your Exact Malo Size — Instantly & Free

Before you invest in Malo — or any of the brilliant brands above — let Tellar do the hard work. It's the UK's leading clothing sizing tool, covering 1,500+ brands, completely free and unbiased.

Measure once — just enter your bust, waist, hip, or a brand size you already know fits.
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size across any brand — from Malo to Boden, LK Bennett, Reiss, Arket and hundreds more.
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Plus, explore the Tellar Fashion Hub — a library stacked with honest, unbiased, free posts from our stylists covering every brand, every style question, every fit dilemma.

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