What is sizing like at Valentino menswear?

Valentino menswear runs small, and it runs slim. It's cut on that lean Italian block — narrow through the shoulder, close through the chest, tapered in the leg — so for most men my advice is simple: size up, particularly in tailoring and knitwear. The one big exception is the relaxed, logo-heavy casualwear, which is cut generously on purpose.

How the tailoring fits

Jackets and suits: soft-shouldered with light padding and a lovely drape, but cut close. If you're broad, carry muscle, or fall between sizes, take the next size up.
Trousers: slim and tapered with a narrow leg opening. Flattering, but unforgiving on a heavier thigh — go up a size if you're built through the legs.
Italian/EU sizing: you'll see 46, 48, 50, 52. Roughly, a UK 40 chest lands around a 50. Don't assume the number matches your usual UK size.

Knitwear, shirts and tees

Knitwear is slim and true-to-small. Fine-gauge jumpers and roll necks cling in particular, so size up if you like a bit of room.
Shirts follow the same lean cut through the body and armhole — trim, not boxy.
Basic tees run close and sit a touch short in the body.

The casualwear exception

This is where men trip up. The hoodies, sweats and logo tees are designed oversized and drop-shouldered. On these I'd stick to your normal size — occasionally even go down — rather than following the "size up" rule. Sizing up here just swamps you, and the intended look is relaxed, not enormous.

Shoes and trainers

The trainers — the Open, One Stud and VLogo styles — come up true to size but narrow.
If you're between sizes, have a wider foot, or wear thicker socks, go half a size up.
It's EU shoe sizing, and half sizes can be thin on the ground, so know your exact foot length before you order.

What to buy and how to style it

Valentino at its best is quiet luxury with one loud detail. Buy the tailoring for the fabric and the cut, then let a single VLogo or stud do all the talking. A slim navy blazer over a fine-gauge roll neck, tapered black trousers, a clean low-top trainer, and nothing else fighting for attention — that's the formula. On trend right now: softer, unstructured blazers, roomier pleated trousers, and full tonal dressing. If you want the of-the-moment look, lean into the relaxed trousers and let the jacket breathe rather than buttoning everything down.

Brands I'd recommend around Valentino

Because every one of these fits differently, I've flagged how each sits — and it's exactly why I never trust the number on the label alone.

High street

Reiss — the most Valentino-adjacent name on the high street for tailoring: sharp, slim, Italian-leaning cuts at a fraction of the price. The best starting point if you want that lean silhouette without the designer outlay. Runs slim-to-true.
COS — for the minimalist side of Valentino: clean lines, considered volume and superb tonal pieces. Cut a touch roomier than Reiss, so a useful foil if the sharp stuff feels too severe.

Independent / boutique

Percival — a London independent doing playful smart-casual and genuinely standout knitwear. More relaxed and characterful fits, ideal if you find Valentino a little strict.
Oliver Spencer — British tailoring with a softer, unstructured hand and lovely natural fabrics. Sizing runs a bit generous here, so it's worth a proper fit check before you commit.

Designer / luxury

Prada — the closest Italian peer: modern, slim, tech-tinged tailoring on a similarly lean block. If you get on with Valentino's fit, Prada will feel familiar.
AMI Paris — softer, more relaxed French luxury and an easier entry to designer, with more forgiving, true-to-size cuts.
Brunello Cucinelli — for elevated relaxed tailoring and the best luxe knitwear going. Roomier and warmer than Valentino's razor-sharp lines.

Stop guessing your Valentino size

Every brand on this list cuts differently — which is exactly why I built my shopping habit around Tellar, the UK's leading free sizing tool. Match your body to 1,500+ brands instantly and never squint at a size guide again.

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