The Master Guide to International Size Conversion
Found the perfect 90s JPG mesh top, but the tag says '42' and you're usually a 'Small'? You aren't alone.
New to the world of archives? Start with our History of Vintage Sizing Article to see how fits have changed since 1970.
In The Room, we often say that finding the right piece is an act of intuition—nothing is random, and everything that must find you will. But before a garment can serve your life and be lived in instinctively, it must first speak your language.
Vintage sizing is a dialect of history. At Aemcy, we curate pieces for their presence and their soul, choosing garments meant to be passed on rather than following the fleeting trends of the now. To ensure a piece from our archive truly allows you to feel like yourself, you must understand the regional codes of the past.
The Regional Codes
When navigating our library, remember that the origin of a piece—be it the structured streets of Paris or the tailored piazzas of Italy—dictates its numerical identity.
- IT (Italian): Home to the heritage tailoring of Brunello Cucinelli, Stone Island and CP Company, Italian sizing is notoriously sharp and narrow. It prioritizes a defined silhouette that serves the body. Often runs 1–2 sizes smaller than modern US sizing.
- FR / EU (French): The heartbeat of Aemcy is Paris. Vintage French sizing, found in the archives of Yves Saint Laurent or Courrèges, is elegant and modern but often cut with higher armholes and closer to the form than modern ready-to-wear.
- UK (British): From the rough nubs of Harris Tweed to the structured drape of Savile Row, British vintage often uses chest measurements in inches, demanding a conversation with your own physical dimensions.
- US (Vintage): The "Pre-Vanity" era. In the decades before sizing became a tool of marketing, a "Size 10" required the waist of what we now call a "Size 6". We respect these original, uncompromising proportions because we value permanence over novelty.
The Aemcy Conversion Map
Use this table as your foundational compass. It maps the space between vintage standards and the modern world.
| International | US (Modern) |
IT (Vintage) |
FR / EU (Vintage) |
UK (Vintage) |
| XXS | 00 - 0 | 36 | 32 | 4 |
| XS | 2 | 38 | 34 | 6 |
| S | 4 - 6 | 40 | 36 | 8 |
| M | 8 - 10 | 42 | 38 | 10 |
| L | 12 | 44 | 40 | 12 |
| XL | 14 | 46 | 42 | 14 |
The Foundation of the Silhouette: International Footwear
In The Room, we know that a powerful look must be anchored correctly. As we introduce a curated selection of footwear to the Aemcy library, understanding the geography of the shoe is just as vital as the garment.
Our footwear curation spans decades—from the strict, narrow lasts of 1980s Italian stilettos to the more forgiving, contemporary constructions of the late 2000s and beyond. Because we mix deep vintage with more recent archival finds, understanding how these international numbers translate across different eras is essential.
The Aemcy Footwear Conversion Map
Use this table as your baseline, but remember that the age of the shoe dictates its structure.
| EU / IT | FR (Vintage/Traditional) | UK | US (Women) | US (Men) | Foot Length (cm) |
| 36 | 37 | 3 | 6 | - | 22.5 - 23 |
| 37 | 38 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 23.5 - 24 |
| 38 | 39 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 24 - 24.5 |
| 39 | 40 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 25 |
| 40 | 41 | 7 | 10 | 7.5 | 25.5 - 26 |
| 41 | 42 | 8 | 11 | 8.5 | 26.5 |
| 42 | 43 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 27 - 27.5 |
Decoding the Timeline of the Shoe
- The Italian Last (IT / EU): Heritage Italian shoemakers crafted pieces that are notoriously sharp and narrow. If you are looking at a deep vintage piece (20+ years old), we often recommend sizing up, as older leather carries zero stretch. However, our more recent archival pieces tend to align closer to true modern EU standards.
- The French Shift (FR): Traditional French sizing often runs one number higher than the standard Italian/EU system. A vintage FR 39 is typically equivalent to an IT 38.
- The Insole Truth: Just as we measure the "Pit-to-Pit" of a blazer to find its true presence, the most honest measurement of any shoe—vintage or recent—is the insole. We provide the exact internal length in centimeters. Compare this to a pair of well-fitting shoes in your own wardrobe.
Start a Dialogue
Finding the right fit, especially when navigating the space between vintage rigidity and contemporary ease, is an act of intuition. You do not have to guess. If you have any questions about the specific era, fit, or measurements of a pair, start a conversation with us directly via the WhatsApp button on your screen. We are always in The Room, ready to help the right piece find you.
Navigating the Archive
- Shopping Italian? If you are drawn to the technical artistry of Stone Island or the sharp silhouettes of CP Company, we recommend checking their specific brand guides for nuanced fit notes.
- Seeking Parisian Soul? For those pursuing the timeless codes of Yves Saint Laurent or the structured freedom of Jean Paul Gaultier, our dedicated brand pages explore how these houses interpreted "size" throughout the decades.
- A Shift in Perspective: While this guide provides a starting point, remember that real style is built over decades, not just numbers. To bridge the gap between production and curation, we always provide sensory, material, and precise measurements for every piece in our shop.
Now that you know your numbers, learn the 'Pro-Buyer' secret: How to Measure Yourself for the Perfect Fit