Alexander McQueen Size Guide: IT to UK, and Does It Run Small?

Alexander McQueen cuts on the Italian ladder, and the house is disciplined about it: the same conversion applies across the whole ready-to-wear line, from tailoring to eveningwear. Below is the full conversion, then the fit truth piece by piece, using the brand’s own fit notes on the 144 pieces Luxury Handbags stocks. Short version: most McQueen runs true to size, and where it runs small the brand says so.

The conversion table

Every product page at Luxury Handbags lists sizes in UK terms, so an IT 40 shows as a UK 8. The brand’s own site shows the IT size with the UK size in Britain and with the US size in America, which is why the same jacket reads “38 / UK 6” in London and “38 / US 2” in New York. If you know your size in one column you know it in all four.

Does Alexander McQueen run small?

Not as a rule. Of the 144 pieces in stock at Luxury Shoes , the brand describes 47 with an explicit fit and leaves the rest as standard. Eleven are a regular fit, twelve are a slim fit that the brand still sells at your usual size, and on 24 pieces it writes “slim fit, consider sizing up”. Those 24 are where McQueen runs small, and they cluster in three places: corseted pieces, the laced waistcoats, the laced pencil skirts and the corset lace pencil dresses; the bias and drape dresses, the Silk Skull Print Wrap Dress, the Asymmetric Drape Evening Dress and the Asymmetric Gathered Mini Dress; and a few close cut jackets and jeans, the Cropped Double-breasted Jacket, the Silk Bomber Jacket, the Wishbone Coat and the Slashed Zip Bootcut Jeans. Luxury Handbags carries the brand’s note on each of those product pages.

Tailoring: true to size

The single breasted jackets, the new Waterfall Collar Coat and the tailored trousers run true to size. The house cuts close through the shoulder and waist by design, so resist the urge to size up for room: the sharpness is the point, and a size too big loses the line entirely. The exceptions are the slim fit pieces above, where the brand itself suggests the larger size.

Corsetry: size up between sizes

Corseted pieces, the moulded cup dresses and corset tops, are the one place the rule bends. If you sit between sizes, take the larger one. A corset that closes cleanly reads elegant; one under strain reads a size too small in every photo. On the laced pieces the brand makes the same call in its own words.

Denim and knits

McQueen sells its jeans and knits on the same Italian ladder rather than waist inches. The pointelle and rib knits have natural stretch, so between sizes take the smaller for a fitted look; the metallic paper yarn knits new this season have less give, so take your usual size. The Slashed Zip Bootcut Jeans carry the brand’s sizing up note.

Evening gowns

The gowns are built on structured internal foundations, so treat them like tailoring: your usual size, and plan a fitting if the event is unmissable. The Floral Embroidery Evening Dress and the bustier gowns are listed by the brand as true to size; the drape dresses are the ones to size up. The widest size run in the current line is IT 36 to 50, UK 4 to 18, on the tailoring and several of the gowns.

Returns if the size is wrong

Luxury Handbags accepts returns within 14 days of delivery on unworn pieces with tags attached; the full terms are in the logistics and returns protocol. Between two sizes on a piece that matters, the editors’ advice is to order both and return one.

Frequently asked questions

Does Alexander McQueen run small?

Mostly no. Of the 144 pieces Luxury Handbags stocks, the brand marks 24 as slim fit with a suggestion to size up, concentrated in corseted and laced pieces, drape dresses and a few close cut jackets and jeans. Everything else runs true to size on the Italian ladder.

What is an Alexander McQueen IT 40 in UK and US sizes?

IT 40 is a UK 8, a US 4 and an FR 36. IT 38 is a UK 6 and a US 2; IT 42 is a UK 10 and a US 6.

Should I size up in Alexander McQueen corset dresses?

Between sizes, yes. Take the larger size so the corset closes cleanly. On the laced pencil dresses and waistcoats the brand itself suggests sizing up.

Do Alexander McQueen jackets run true to size?

Yes, with a few exceptions the brand flags: the Cropped Double-breasted Jacket, the Silk Bomber Jacket and the Wishbone Coat are slim fit pieces where the brand suggests the larger size.

What size range does Alexander McQueen make?

IT 36 to 50 on the widest pieces, which is UK 4 to 18 and US 0 to 14. Many styles are cut IT 36 to 48.

How does Alexander McQueen sizing compare to other Italian made brands?

It follows the standard Italian ladder, so your size in other Italian made ready-to-wear usually holds. The difference is the cut, which is closer through the shoulder and waist than most.

Read next

Still deciding what to buy? Start with the best dresses, the tailoring guide and the AW26 edit, read the styling guide, and shop the full Alexander McQueen collection at Luxury Shoes with authenticity verified and worldwide shipping.