Stone Island Size Guide: How to Choose the Right Size
‘How does Stone Island fit?’ It is probably the question we are asked most often, both in the boutique and online. The answer deserves more than a sentence: between Italian cuts, the different sizing systems and the specifics of each type of piece, here is our complete Stone Island size guide.
How do Stone Island pieces fit?
As a general rule, the cuts are fitted, in the Italian tradition — close to the body without being tight. If you are between two sizes or like loose fits, the size up is often the right choice. But the fit varies from piece to piece and from era to era: that is why the most reliable approach is always to compare the actual measurements, which we give on each of our product pages, measured flat on the piece.
Stone Island sizing systems
- Letter sizes (S, M, L, XL…): used on most tops — jackets, sweatshirts, jumpers, polo shirts.
- Italian numerical sizes (46, 48, 50…): common on trousers and some other pieces. The equivalence with French sizes varies with the cut and the era — do not rely on generic charts; compare the measurements.
- Children's and junior sizes: expressed by age, with specific cuts.
The foolproof method: measuring flat
Take a garment of the same type that fits you well, lay it flat and measure: the width from pit to pit, the length from the top of the shoulder (or the collar) to the hem — and for trousers, the waist measured flat and the leg length. Then compare these figures with the measurements given on our product pages: they are taken in the same way, on the actual piece you will receive. No unpleasant surprises.
Our size advice, piece by piece
- Jackets: generally fitted cuts — all our pointers in the Stone Island jackets guide.
- Down jackets: also fitted; allow room for a thick jumper if you wear one — details in the down jackets guide.
- Parkas: a little room for layering — see the parkas guide.
- Gilets: the size depends on how you wear it, over or under a jacket — explained in the gilets guide.
- Sweatshirts: your usual size for a classic fit, one size up for a roomier look — see the sweatshirts guide.
- Jumpers and knitwear: close-to-the-body cuts — details in the jumpers guide, and find every Stone Island jumper available in our dedicated collection.
- Polo shirts: Italian slim fit — see the polo shirts guide.
- Trousers: multiple sizing systems depending on the model — it is all in the trousers guide.
- Shorts and summer pieces: fitted cuts, often in Italian sizes — our pointers in the shorts and summer pieces guide.
The special case of pre-owned
With vintage and pre-owned pieces, caution is doubly necessary: cuts have evolved over the decades, and the same labelled size can correspond to different dimensions depending on the era. That is exactly why we measure every piece flat before listing it online — in addition to the authentication process that every garment goes through at NB08.
Frequently asked questions
Does Stone Island run small?
The cuts are fitted, Italian-style, rather than small. If you like room, take one size up — and in any case, rely on the measurements on the product page rather than the letter.
What does an Italian size 48 mean?
It is a size in the Italian numerical system, used in particular on trousers. Its exact equivalent varies with the cut and the era: the most reliable approach is to compare the flat measurements with a garment you own.
How do you measure a garment flat?
Lay it on a flat surface without pulling the fabric: pit-to-pit width, length from the shoulder to the hem, and for trousers, waist measured flat and leg length.
Find your size at NB08
Every NB08 product page gives the actual measurements of the piece, measured flat — in our boutique in Ajaccio, Corsica, as well as online. Browse our full Stone Island selection and choose your size with confidence.
