Maison Margiela Size Guide: Italian Sizes, Fit and How It Runs
Maison Margiela Size Guide: Italian Sizes, Fit and How It Runs
Maison Margiela sizes its women’s ready-to-wear in Italian sizes, so the label on a dress reads 38, 40 and 42, not UK 6, 8 and 10. Knitwear comes in letter sizes, and jeans come in waist sizes. Once you know the conversion it is simple. Every Maison Margiela product page at Coveti shows the UK size next to the Italian one, so you can order straight from the Maison Margiela collection.
Quick answer
- Italian to UK: subtract four. IT 42 is UK 10.
- Italian to US: subtract 36. IT 42 is US 6.
- Knitwear: letter sizes XS to XXL, read the same in the UK and US.
- Jeans: waist sizes in inches, 24 to 33 on most styles.
- Fit: the house publishes no general sizing correction, so take your usual size. Pieces described as oversized are cut that way on purpose.
Maison Margiela size chart
| Italian (IT) | UK | US | French (FR) | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 4 | 0 | 32 | XXS |
| 38 | 6 | 2 | 34 | XS |
| 40 | 8 | 4 | 36 | S |
| 42 | 10 | 6 | 38 | M |
| 44 | 12 | 8 | 40 | L |
| 46 | 14 | 10 | 42 | XL |
| 48 | 16 | 12 | 44 | XXL |
| 50 | 18 | 14 | 46 | XXL |
The letter column is a guide for knitwear, which Margiela sells in letters only.
Does Maison Margiela run small?
Not as a rule. The house does not tell customers to size up and down across the range, and on the 221 pieces Coveti carries this season none carries a sizing correction from the brand. What changes is the cut. The house loves an oversized coat, a long shirt and a wide trouser, and those are meant to look big. The Wool Coat in Black is described as an oversized long coat, and it should hang loose from the shoulder. Fitted pieces such as the Technical Jersey Turtleneck Bodysuit in Black and the Ribbed Wool Midi Skirt in Black are made to sit close, so stay with your true size.
Sizing by category
Coats and jackets
Margiela coats are cut with room for a knit underneath. Take your usual Italian size. If you are between sizes and plan to layer a heavy sweater, the larger size works; for a sharper line, the smaller one. See Maison Margiela coats and our coats and jackets guide.
Dresses and skirts
Slip dresses and bias-cut pieces follow the body, so measure your hips against the Italian size. Shirt dresses and draped dresses are easier. The Draped Shirt Dress in Black has room through the body by design.
Trousers and jeans
Tailored trousers use Italian sizes; jeans use waist sizes in inches. Margiela denim often sits high and wide, and many styles are cut long, so check the inseam on the product page. Our trousers and jeans guide covers each fit.
Knitwear
Letter sizes, usually XS to XXL. Most Margiela knits are relaxed through the body, with a few close-fitting tops such as the Fitted Knit Top in Navy Blue. Read the knitwear guide.
T-shirts and bodysuits
The T-shirts are straight and slightly boxy. Bodysuits are stretch jersey and fit close, with snap closures at the base.
How to measure yourself
- Bust: around the fullest part, keeping the tape level.
- Waist: around the narrowest part of your torso.
- Hips: around the fullest part, with your feet together.
Compare your numbers with a size you already own from an Italian brand. If your usual Italian size is 42 elsewhere, it will be 42 at Margiela too.
MM6 sizing is different
MM6 Maison Margiela, the younger line, often uses letter sizes and more oversized cuts. If you are moving between the two lines, check each label. More in Maison Margiela vs MM6.
Maison Margiela at a glance
| Founded | 1988, Paris, by Martin Margiela and Jenny Meirens |
| Creative director | Glenn Martens, since January 2025 (after Martin Margiela to 2009 and John Galliano, 2014 to 2024) |
| Owner | OTB, the Italian group founded by Renzo Rosso, majority owner since 2002 |
| Signatures | The four white stitches, the blank numbered label, the Tabi split toe, deconstruction, Artisanal remade garments |
| Lines | Artisanal (couture), the main collection, and MM6 Maison Margiela, launched in 1997 |
| Made in | Most ready-to-wear is made in Italy; a few pieces are made in France |
| Sizes at Coveti | Italian sizes IT 36 to 50 (UK 4 to 18), letter sizes XS to XXL for knitwear, waist sizes for jeans |
Frequently asked questions
Is Maison Margiela true to size?
Yes, take your usual size. The house publishes no general sizing correction. Pieces described as oversized are cut big on purpose.
What size is IT 40 in Maison Margiela?
IT 40 is a UK 8 and a US 4.
What size is IT 42 in UK sizes?
IT 42 is a UK 10. Italian sizes run four above UK sizes.
How does Maison Margiela knitwear fit?
Knitwear comes in letter sizes from XS to XXL and is mostly relaxed. A few tops are close fitting, and each product page says which.
Do Maison Margiela jeans run small?
They are sized by waist in inches. Take your usual denim size and check the product page for the fit, since many styles are wide and long.
Where can I see the size for each product?
Every Maison Margiela page at Coveti lists the Italian sizes made and the UK equivalent in the Size and fit section.
Read next: Margiela coats and jackets, Margiela trousers and jeans, Margiela knitwear.
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