Herno Around the World: How Men Buy and Wear It From Milan to Tokyo

Herno is an Italian outerwear house from Lesa, on Lake Maggiore, that opened stores in Osaka and Tokyo as early as 1968. In 2022 about two thirds of its revenue came from exports, and the same coat is worn very differently in Milan, New York, London and Tokyo, so the right Herno piece depends on the city you live in.

Quick answer

• Origin: founded in 1948 in Lesa, Piedmont, by Giuseppe Marenzi and Alessandra Diana.
• Abroad since: 1968, with stores in Osaka and Tokyo; growth in Japan and the United States followed in the 1980s.
• Exports: about 67% of 2022 revenue of roughly EUR 128 million.
• Sizing: Herno uses Italian sizes; UK and US chest equals the Italian size minus 10.
• Buying from abroad: Coveti ships Herno worldwide by express from hubs in the UAE and Australia, with duties calculated at checkout.
• Price range at Coveti: jackets $1,080 to $6,020, coats $1,270 to $6,350.

How did Herno become a global brand?

Herno started in 1948 making men’s raincoats, using cotton treated with castor oil. The name comes from the Erno river, which runs into Lake Maggiore. Cashmere coats and womenswear followed in the 1950s.

The international step came early. In 1968 Herno opened stores in Osaka and Tokyo. In the 1980s it grew in Japan and then the United States, and built its name on parkas and down jackets in very light nylon. For years it also made outerwear for other luxury houses.

Claudio Marenzi, the founders’ son, took over in the 2000s and refocused the company on its own label. In 2011 Herno was named best Italian business at the 80th Pitti Immagine Uomo. The full story is in who is Herno.

Herno around the world: the market-by-market guide

Italy: the padded blazer capital

In Milan, Herno is a business brand. Men wear it over a suit on the walk to the office, which is why the padded blazer is the Italian signature. Milanese winters are cold and grey but rarely extreme, so a light down layer is enough most days.

1. La Giacca Padded Blazer in Blue

One of the Herno classics, at $1,720. La Giacca is made from recycled nylon microfibre with a light coating on the reverse for a soft feel and a waterproof matt finish, plus a removable windproof bib with a two-way zip. It sits over a shirt and knit like a tailored jacket. Read the full story in our La Giacca padded blazer guide. Chest sizes 34 to 46.

United States: built for the Northeast

American buyers found Herno in the 1980s through its light down jackets. In New York, Boston and Chicago the need is real warmth with a hood, and a parka that still looks smart over office clothes. On the West Coast, a light padded blazer covers most of winter.

2. L’eskimo in Anthracite

The classic Herno eskimo jacket, at $2,110. Recycled nylon microfibre with a waterproof matt finish, a hood with adjustable drawstrings and four pockets. It is long enough to cover a blazer and warm enough for a Manhattan January. Anthracite hides city grime better than black. Chest sizes 34 to 46.

Japan: one of the oldest overseas markets

Japan is one of Herno’s oldest markets abroad, with Osaka and Tokyo stores opened in 1968. Tokyo winters are dry and clear with cold mornings, which suits the lightest Herno down. Japanese buyers tend to favour clean, compact shapes and quiet colours.

3. Navy Blue Resort Bomber Jacket in Ultralight Nylon and Suede-Effect Microfibre

Herno’s Nylon Ultralight uses 20-denier Japanese nylon with 90/10 injected down for a very light, silk-like feel and good water resistance. This bomber, at $2,080, adds suede-effect microfibre details. It is light enough to carry over an arm on the train and goes on over a knit at the station. Also in camel. For more, see lightweight packable down jackets. Chest sizes 36 to 46.

United Kingdom: rain first, cold second

London winters are mild and wet, so a British Herno buyer usually wants a waterproof coat before a warm one. A membrane raincoat over a knit handles most days from October to April. Our Herno UK guide covers sizing and delivery for British buyers.

4. Blue Raincoat in 2-Layer Windstopper

Polyester microfibre bonded to a high-performance membrane with a 20,000 mm water column, breathable and windproof. At $1,720 it is a city-length raincoat with a removable hood, sharp enough for an office and practical for the commute. It sits over a suit without bulk. Also in brown. More options are in our Herno raincoats guide. Chest sizes 36 to 46.

Germany: technical coats for business

Many German buyers care about function and are happy to see a membrane name on the label. In Munich, Frankfurt and Berlin, winters are colder than London and just as wet, so a waterproof coat with real insulation makes sense.

5. 2-Layer Gore-Tex Coat in Black

A two-layer coat with a Gore-Tex membrane in light stretch nylon with a 30-denier weave, padded with goose down and fitted with a removable bib and lapel collar. At $2,050 it is formal enough for business and genuinely waterproof. Herno’s Gore-Tex shells sit in its Laminar technical line, explained in our Herno Laminar guide. Chest sizes 36 to 46.

Spain: light layers for short winters

Madrid winters are short, sunny and dry, with cold mornings and mild afternoons. Spanish buyers lean towards light, easy layers: a padded vest over a knit, a light jacket for the evening. Heavy parkas rarely leave the wardrobe.

6. Lo Smanicato in Blue

The Herno classic vest, at $1,350. Recycled nylon microfibre with a waterproof matt finish, a high neck, striped quilting and the metal logo. It goes over a shirt, under a blazer and over a knit, which is all a Madrid winter asks. See more in our Herno gilets and down vests guide. Chest sizes 36 to 48.

Sweden: length and warmth

Stockholm winters are long, dark and cold, with wind off the water. Swedish buyers want length, a hood and real protection from wet snow, in a clean shape without loud branding.

7. Black Long Quilted Parka in 2-Layer Windstopper

A long parka in polyester microfibre bonded to a membrane rated to a 20,000 mm water column, with flap pockets and a removable hood. Priced at $2,190. The length covers the thighs, which matters on a cycle commute. Black is the Scandinavian default. Chest sizes 36 to 46.

Middle East and Australia: travel pieces

Coveti ships worldwide from hubs in the UAE and Australia. In Dubai, Herno buyers want pieces for air-conditioned offices, cool desert evenings and trips to Europe. In Sydney and Melbourne, winter is mild with cool evenings and showers, so light, water-repellent jackets do most of the work.

8. Chantilly Resort Overshirt in Fade-Effect Linen

A jacket in pure linen with a faded, vintage look and a water-repellent finish, at $1,660. It is light enough for travel and smart enough for dinner, and linen breathes in heat. Wear it over a T-shirt in Dubai and pack it for a European spring. Chest sizes 38 to 42.

9. Light Blue Resort Jacket in 4-Way Stretch Nylon

The fabric wraps 30-denier nylon around 20-denier elastane, giving 4-way stretch. At $1,720, this is a light jacket for a Sydney winter evening and a shower on the walk home. It moves well on a long flight. Also in dark blue. Chest sizes 36 to 46.

Herno sizing in every market

Herno uses Italian men’s sizes, IT 44 to IT 60. Coveti lists the UK and US chest equivalent, which is the Italian size minus 10. Trainers run EU 41 to 45, shown as UK 7 to 11.

Herno publishes a fit type for each product: regular fit for most, plus slim fit, relaxed fit, boxy and oversize. Order your usual jacket size, and size up one only if you will layer a thick knit under a slim-fit piece. Buyers in Japan and Asia should compare chest measurements, since local letter sizes can differ. Full tables are in our Herno size guide.

How to buy Herno from anywhere

Herno is sold by department stores and online retailers in many countries. Coveti is an authenticated alternative: every piece is 100% authentic and checked before dispatch, with worldwide express shipping from the UAE and Australia hubs and duties calculated at checkout, so the total is clear before you pay. Returns details are on the returns page. For a wider comparison of stockists, read where to buy Herno.

Read next: Herno for UK buyers, Herno down jackets for men, and Herno cardigans and knitwear.

Browse men’s jackets and men’s coats, and see the complete Herno collection at Coveti.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Herno from?

Herno is from Lesa, a town in the province of Novara, Piedmont, on the shore of Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. It was founded there in 1948 by Giuseppe Marenzi and Alessandra Diana, and the name comes from the Erno river.

When did Herno start selling outside Italy?

Herno opened stores in Osaka and Tokyo in 1968, making Japan one of its earliest overseas markets. It then grew in Japan and the United States during the 1980s.

How much of Herno’s business is international?

About 67% of Herno’s revenue comes from exports. The company reported revenue of about EUR 128 million in 2022.

How do I convert Herno sizes for the UK and US?

Subtract 10 from the Italian size to get the UK and US chest size. An IT 50 is a 40 chest, an IT 52 is a 42 and an IT 54 is a 44. Herno trainers in EU 41 to 45 are UK 7 to 11.

Which Herno jacket is best for a cold city?

For hard cold with wind and snow, a hooded down parka such as L’eskimo, and for long wet winters, a long parka in 2-Layer Windstopper with a 20,000 mm water column. For mild, dry cities, La Giacca padded blazer is usually enough.

Does Coveti ship Herno internationally?

Yes. Coveti ships authentic Herno worldwide by express delivery from hubs in the UAE and Australia. Each piece is checked before dispatch, and import duties are calculated at checkout.