What Is Sizing Like at Roberto Cavalli?

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

Roberto Cavalli runs small — typically one to two sizes smaller than standard UK sizing — and the cuts are designed for a slim, curvaceous silhouette, so sizing up is almost always the right call. I learned this the hard way on a buying trip years ago when I confidently reached for my usual size in a Cavalli bodycon dress and couldn't get it past my hips. Lesson learned. If you're on the boundary between two sizes, always go for the larger one. Now let me break it all down properly so you don't make the same mistake.

Understanding Roberto Cavalli's Sizing System

Cavalli uses Italian sizing, which is different from both UK and US sizing conventions. Italian sizes run small and narrow — the brand's entire DNA is built around a very specific body ideal: long-limbed, narrow-shouldered, and with defined curves. That's not most of our bodies, and that's okay — you just need to know what you're working with.

The general rule is: add 4 to your Italian Cavalli size to get your approximate UK size. So if you're a UK 12, you're looking at an Italian 40–42 at Cavalli, and I'd lean toward the 42. Always check the measurements rather than relying on the number alone.

Roberto Cavalli (IT)UK SizeUS SizeEU SizeBust (cm)Waist (cm)Hips (cm)3662348061873884368465914010638886995421284092739944141042967710346161244100811074818144610485111

How Different Pieces Fit — Garment by Garment

Cavalli isn't a brand where you can assume one size fits all categories. Different pieces have very different fit profiles, and trust me, this is where it gets interesting.

Dresses: This is Cavalli's glory — those silky, body-conscious midi dresses and the iconic printed maxi gowns. They are cut exceptionally narrow through the torso. Size up by at least one full size, especially if you carry any weight through the hips or have a fuller bust. The fabric often has minimal stretch, so there's no forgiveness here.
Tops & blouses: Generally true to Italian size, but the shoulder width runs narrow. If you have broad shoulders, consider going up a size even if the chest measurement technically works — you'll have more room to move and the drape will look far better.
Trousers & jeans: Cavalli jeans are a whole experience. They are very low-rise by design, very slim through the thigh, and have minimal ease. Size up by one — possibly two if you're between sizes or have a more athletic lower body. The waistband tends to be tight regardless of size.
Jackets & outerwear: These are cut for layering over a fitted look — not for chunky knitwear underneath. The sleeves run long and the body is narrow. I'd always size up here and have the length tailored if needed.
Swimwear: Cavalli swimwear is stunning but it is sized very small. Go up at least one full size from your usual swim size, and bear in mind the cuts are designed to show maximum skin — so choose accordingly and own it.

My Honest Cavalli Fit Tips

Over the years I've styled quite a few clients in Cavalli, and the questions I get asked most are about the dresses — specifically the printed silk styles. Here's what I always tell them:

Always measure your hips and compare to the actual garment measurements — the size chart is a starting point, not the final word.
If you're buying online, look for any customer reviews mentioning fit — Cavalli shoppers tend to be quite vocal about sizing.
A slightly looser Cavalli dress will always look more elegant than one that's straining. These designs are meant to drape, not cling (even though they might look like they should cling).
The quality of Cavalli fabrics is extraordinary — silks, jerseys, and printed chiffons that move beautifully. Getting the size right is absolutely worth the effort because the result, when it fits, is genuinely spectacular.

Who Is Roberto Cavalli For?

Let's be honest: Cavalli is a brand for someone who wants to be seen. The aesthetic is maximalist, sexy, and unashamedly glamorous — think animal prints, baroque florals, plunging necklines, and fluid silhouettes that move like water when you walk into a room. It's occasion dressing turned up to eleven. If you're shopping for something to blend into the background, this is not your brand. But if you want to make an entrance at a wedding, a gala, or a seriously good dinner party, there is very little that competes with a properly fitting Cavalli gown.

High Street Alternatives Worth Knowing

Not everyone has the budget for Cavalli — and frankly, even those who do don't wear it every day. Here are the brands I'd recommend for capturing that same bold, statement energy at different price points:

High Street:

River Island — Genuinely one of the best high street options for bold prints and going-out glamour. Their occasion dresses regularly nail the Cavalli-esque body-con silhouette without the eye-watering price tag.
Zara — For the more editorial side of Cavalli's look, Zara does sleek animal prints and fluid midi dresses well. The quality has improved considerably in recent seasons.
ASOS — Enormous range for occasion wear, including some very convincing luxury-look alternatives. Their extended sizing also makes it easier to find the right fit across a wider range of bodies.
Mango — Mediterranean flair, excellent prints and draped silhouettes. Mango's occasion range is genuinely strong and photographs beautifully.
Warehouse — Often overlooked, but their occasion dresses and printed blouses are consistently excellent. Good value for the quality.
Coast — Perfect for the event-dressing side of the Cavalli customer. Strong on embellished and occasion pieces with a glamorous edge.
All Saints — For the darker, edgier side of Cavalli's aesthetic. Animal prints, leather detailing, and a boldness that other high street brands shy away from.

Premium:

Reiss — Polished, well-cut, and genuinely elegant. A good stepping stone between high street and luxury for occasion dressing.
Ted Baker — Strong on prints and femininity, and their occasion wear range is reliably glamorous. Think Cavalli-lite in the best possible way.

Independent Picks:

Rat & Boa — If you haven't discovered this independent brand yet, stop what you're doing. Rat & Boa is the go-to for women who want that bold, maximal, printed goddess energy without the designer price tag. Their prints are extraordinary and the silhouettes are unapologetically sexy. A firm favourite of mine for styling clients who want to channel Cavalli on a more realistic budget.
Never Fully Dressed — A brilliant independent label known for bold prints, wrap silhouettes, and genuinely inclusive sizing. The kind of brand that feels luxurious without the luxury price — and their prints would make even Cavalli nod in appreciation.

Never Get Sizing Wrong Again — Try Tellar

Roberto Cavalli's Italian sizing can be genuinely confusing — and getting it wrong on a luxury piece is not a fun experience. That's exactly why Tellar.co.uk exists.

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