What's Sizing Like at Tod's? A Stylist's Honest Guide

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

Tod's shoes generally run true to size in length, but tend to be cut slim — so if you have wider feet or a high instep, sizing up by half a size is often the smarter move. I say this from experience: I ordered my first pair of Tod's Gommino driving shoes in my usual EU 38 and spent the best part of a week breaking them in before my feet could breathe properly. Stunning? Yes. Comfortable immediately? Not quite. A 38.5 would have been perfect from day one.

That said, once the leather softens — and it does, beautifully — there really is nothing quite like a pair of Tod's for understated Italian elegance. This brand is the definition of quiet luxury, and getting the size right from the start makes all the difference.

Tod's at a Glance: What the Brand Actually Makes

Tod's is an Italian heritage house, founded in the early 1900s and still made in Italy today. The brand is best known for its iconic Gommino driving shoe — that distinctive rubber-studded sole has barely changed since the 1970s, and it remains one of the most copied silhouettes in fashion. Beyond footwear, they do a beautifully edited range of structured leather handbags, cashmere-blend knitwear, tailored outerwear, and sharp trousers. The clothing sits firmly in the "investment dressing" category — precise, understated, and built to last.

Sizing across footwear and ready-to-wear follows Italian conventions, which adds a layer of complexity if you're used to shopping UK or US sizes. Here's what you need to know.

Tod's Shoe Size Conversion Table

Tod's uses Italian/EU sizing for all women's shoes. Use this as your starting guide:

UK SizeEU / Italian SizeUS Size2354.52.535.553365.53.536.564376.54.537.575387.55.538.586398.56.539.597409.57.540.51084110.5

Gommino Driving Shoes: The Icon

The Gommino is what Tod's is famous for — and it's the style where sizing is most debated. The general consensus is:

Standard width feet: go true to your usual Italian/EU size.
Wider feet or high instep: size up half a size. The leather will soften with wear, but it's a snug construction.
Suede versions: tend to feel slightly tighter than patent or smooth leather. If you're torn between sizes in suede, go up.
The toe box is slim — this shoe is designed with a fitted, elegant profile rather than a roomy comfort cut.

The good news? Once broken in, the Gommino is genuinely one of the most comfortable flat shoes you'll own. The rubber-studded sole gives a subtle bounce, and the leather moulds to your foot over time. Worth every penny — and every day of the break-in process.

Ballet Flats & Loafers

Tod's Dee ballet flat and loafers are beloved by stylist types precisely because they're polished enough for the office and casual enough for a Saturday market. Sizing here is a little more generous than the Gommino:

Ballet flats: true to size, or if between sizes, size down rather than up — they tend to give a little.
Loafers: broadly true to size, though narrow across the instep. If your foot is on the wider side, try a half size up.
Platform styles: size up half a size as you would with most heeled silhouettes.

Boots & Heels

Tod's ankle boots and Chelsea boots sit true to size for most people, but bear in mind the following:

The width is slim — very much an Italian last rather than a British one. If you have a broad foot, go up half a size and wear a fine sock.
Ankle boots with laces offer more adjustability and tend to feel more accommodating across the width.
Heeled styles: as with most brands, size up half a size for closed-toe heels.

Tod's Clothing: Ready-to-Wear Sizing

The Tod's clothing range is smaller than its footwear, but the quality is exceptional — think beautifully cut blazers, fluid trousers, and knitwear in the softest cashmere blends. Sizing follows Italian/EU conventions and is generally true to size, but the cut is tailored and precise:

Outerwear and blazers: true to Italian EU size, but the shoulder cut is structured — size up if you prefer layering or have broad shoulders.
Trousers: true to size, with a slightly high-rise, elongating silhouette.
Knitwear: true to size, though the fit is neat rather than oversized — if you like a relaxed knit, go up one size.

My Top Tip for Buying Tod's

If at all possible, try before you buy — especially for the Gommino. Tod's boutiques are a genuine pleasure to spend time in, and the staff tend to be knowledgeable about which lasts run wider or narrower. If you're buying online, always choose a retailer with a solid returns policy. I've known people order two half sizes and return one, which sounds extravagant but is honestly worth it when you're spending this kind of money.

Also worth knowing: Tod's leather does stretch and soften beautifully over time. If a shoe feels just slightly snug in length — not painfully so — it will ease. If it feels snug across the width, that's harder to fix, so go up.

Never Guess Your Size Again — Use Tellar

Tod's sizing can be tricky — especially when you're ordering online and navigating Italian EU sizing. That's exactly why I point everyone to Tellar.co.uk. It's the UK's leading sizing tool: measure once, and instantly get your precise size across 1,500+ brands — including Tod's.

No more guessing. No more returns. Just your exact size, matched to each brand's specific fit data. And the Tellar Fashion Hub has thousands of free, unsponsored posts on every fashion query you could have — written by stylists, not algorithms.

✔ Enter your measurements or your size in a brand you already know
✔ Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your size in Tod's — and any other brand
✔ Completely free, no downloads, works in-browser

Visit Tellar.co.ukFind My Size in Tod's

Brilliant Alternatives to Tod's — At Every Budget

Obsessed with the Tod's aesthetic but not ready to commit to the price tag just yet? Here are my favourite alternatives across every budget — from high street gems that genuinely hold up, to premium and designer options worth every penny.

High Street Picks

Massimo Dutti — Hands down one of the best high street options for loafer lovers. Their leather loafers and ballet flats are beautifully made, sit in the right size, and have a quietly European elegance that punches well above the price point.
Hobbs — A brilliant British brand for classic, well-cut footwear. Their loafers and courts run true to size and are a go-to for anyone who wants quality without the luxury price tag.
LK Bennett — If you want polished occasion footwear with a similar sophisticated feel to Tod's, LK Bennett delivers. Their leather courts and loafers are well-sized and reliably true to UK sizing.
Whistles — Clean, modern and minimal — the perfect aesthetic sister to Tod's. Their footwear tends to run true to size and the quality for the price is excellent.
Reiss — For a more structured, smart loafer or ankle boot at a fraction of the designer price, Reiss is one of the best places to look. True to size, good quality leather.
Me&Em — This premium high street brand has come into its own for footwear in recent seasons. Their loafers and flats have a similar understated luxury feel to Tod's, and they size consistently.
Cos — Minimal, architectural, and reliably true to size. If you love the refined simplicity of Tod's but want something more affordable and contemporary, Cos is your answer.

Premium Picks

Russell & Bromley — Britain's finest mid-luxury shoe brand. Excellent craftsmanship, proper leather, and sizing that is consistently true. Their loafers in particular are a crowd-pleaser.
Kurt Geiger — Slightly more fashion-forward than Tod's but excellent quality at the premium end of their range. True to size and widely available for easy returns.

Luxury & Designer Alternatives

Ferragamo — The closest comparison in terms of Italian heritage, quiet elegance and quality leather. Sizing is very similar to Tod's — both brands tend to be slim across the instep.
Gucci — The Gucci Horsebit loafer is perhaps the most iconic loafer in fashion history and compares directly with Tod's in terms of prestige. Gucci runs true to size but also tends to be slim-fitted.
Bottega Veneta — For sleek, understated Italian luxury, Bottega is the natural companion to Tod's. Their ballet flats and sandals have a similar refined sensibility and size similarly.

Independent & Niche Picks

Penelope Chilvers — A beautifully British independent brand making exquisite loafers and tassel boots with a handcrafted quality that genuinely rivals Tod's at a slightly lower price point. If you don't know this brand yet, you're about to have a very good day.
Grenson — A 160-year-old British cobbler from Northamptonshire. Their leather loafers and brogues have the same quiet confidence as Tod's, with brilliant craftsmanship and excellent sizing. A proper heritage find.

Further reading from the Tellar Fashion Hub: