Choosing the right men's blazer size online is not straightforward, and not because the buyer doesn't know their own body. The problem is that every maison has its own interpretation of sizing, its own idea of fit, its own construction philosophy. Buying a sartorial blazer without understanding these differences means leaving things to chance. This guide exists to eliminate that variable.
Measure your chest circumference at its widest point (under the arms): every 4 cm corresponds to one size up in Italian sartorial numbering (e.g. 96 cm = size 48, 100 cm = size 50). Then verify your shoulder measurement (this is the one that cannot be altered) and compare both measurements against the specific size chart for the brand. Every Italian maison has its own interpretation of fit: never assume your size in one brand will be identical in another.
Why Sizing Is Not the Same Across Brands
In Italian tailoring, men's blazer size is conventionally expressed in chest centimetres: 48, 50, 52, 54 and so on. But that is only the starting point. Tagliatore, Lardini, Sartorio Napoli and Cesare Attolini each interpret that measurement in profoundly different ways: the shoulder construction changes, the chest width changes, the body length changes, and the overall drape changes.
A man who normally wears a 50 in one brand might find he fits better in a narrow 48 or a relaxed 52 in another maison. This is normal. It is not a mistake, it is the brand's signature.
Understanding these differences is what separates a confident purchase from an avoidable return.
How to Measure Yourself Correctly
Before consulting any size chart, you need three precise measurements. Use a tailor's tape measure, not a carpenter's. Better to have someone help you.
Chest
Measure the circumference of your chest at its widest point, passing the tape under your arms and keeping it horizontal. Do not pull it tight, do not leave excess slack. The result in centimetres is the basis of your Italian sartorial size. If your chest measures 96 cm, your theoretical size is 48; at 100 cm it is 50; at 104 cm it is 52, and so on (with 4 cm increments per size).
Shoulders
Measure from one shoulder tip to the other, passing across the base of the neck. This measurement is decisive: a shoulder that drops, even by half a centimetre, ruins the entire silhouette and cannot be corrected without a tailor. It is the one measurement you cannot compromise on.
Length
Measure from the base of the neck (the most prominent vertebra) down to where you want the bottom hem of the blazer to sit, conventionally at the base of the seat. This measurement will help you understand whether the cut you are looking at is proportional to your build.
Brand-by-Brand Size Guide
Tagliatore: Fit and Sizing Advice
The Tagliatore men's blazer is built on a slim fit with a drop 7 pattern: meaning the blazer is constructed for a chest-to-waist difference of approximately 7 cm, a proportion that reflects an athletic or lean male build. The fit is close to the body but not restrictive - the blazer follows the body's shape without forcing it.
No need to size up or down: if you wear a 50, order a 50; if you wear a 48, order a 48. The fit is precise and designed for someone who already knows their measurement.
Practical tip: Tagliatore is one of the best-selling brands in our catalogue - and one of the lowest in returns. When the size is right, the blazer fits exactly as it should, with no surprises.
Lardini: Fit and Sizing Advice
The Lardini men's blazer reflects a precise stylistic choice the brand has established over recent years: a soft, comfortable fit with a generosity of cut that nods to contemporary proportions without tipping into declared oversize. It is not a close-fitting construction, it is a blazer that gives room, wears effortlessly, and works as well in a formal context as in a more relaxed one.
This philosophy runs through the brand's entire offering: blazers, suits and trousers all share the same relaxed, wearable approach.
Practical tip: Your standard size is still the right starting point, a 48 is a 48. But if you want a comfortable fit with a slightly more defined, less relaxed silhouette, it is worth considering sizing down by one.
Sartorio: Fit and Sizing Advice
The Sartorio men's blazer embodies the classicism of great Neapolitan tailoring: a regular fit, a construction that gives weight and presence to the garment without chasing passing trends. There is no pursuit of a close silhouette, no attempt to slim the figure, there is instead the respect for a proportion that the Neapolitan school has refined over generations.
Someone who has never worn a blazer from a Neapolitan maison might perceive this generosity as unexpected, almost too much. It is not: it is simply a fit that needs to be seen on the body to be properly understood.
Practical tip: With Sartorio, stick to your size, no exceptions. A 48 wears a 48. There is no reason to size up or down; the regular fit is calibrated to work exactly as it is.
Cesare Attolini: Fit and Sizing Advice
The Cesare Attolini men's blazer expresses the classicism of one of the most important names in Neapolitan tailoring: a regular fit, a construction that carries the weight of a centuries-old craft tradition. There is no compromise with contemporary proportions, no pursuit of a close silhouette: there is the shape that Attolini has always considered correct for a properly made blazer.
As with Sartorio, someone approaching a Neapolitan-school blazer for the first time may perceive an unexpected generosity of cut. This is not a flaw: it is the signature of a construction that favours the body's natural carriage over fitted tailoring.
Practical tip: No size adjustment needed. A 48 wears a 48, full stop. Attolini is a brand where your theoretical size and your real size are one and the same, and on a garment of this level, trusting your measurement is exactly the right call.
Slim Fit, Regular Fit or Relaxed: Which Blazer Should You Choose?
This is perhaps the question that causes the most confusion - and the answer has nothing to do with seasonal trends.
Slim fit means a silhouette that follows the body more closely, with a defined waist and shoulders that trace the natural line. It works best on proportionate builds with well-defined shoulders. It requires precision in sizing: half a size of difference is immediately noticeable.
Regular fit is the point of balance: not oversized, not body-hugging. It is the most versatile fit, one that works across a wider range of builds, that is worn with greater ease, and that does not date with the seasons.
Relaxed (or comfort fit) indicates a declared generosity of cut, often paired with unstructured construction or soft fabrics. It does not mean "large": it means the silhouette has more breathing room. In recent years it has become the preferred fit for those who wear the sartorial blazer in a contemporary way, paired with denim or cargo trousers.
When purchasing a men's luxury blazer online, the advice is this: if you are torn between two sizes within the same fit, use your chest and shoulder measurements as the deciding factors. The chest can be taken in by a tailor; the shoulder cannot.
Practical Tips for Buying a Blazer Online Without Getting the Size Wrong
Buying an Italian sartorial blazer online requires a method, not luck. Here is what to do before completing your purchase.
1. Always measure a blazer you already know fits you well. Do not trust the label size: measure the shoulder seam and chest, then compare with the product specifications.
2. Always check the size guide for the specific product, not the brand's generic chart. Variations between models from the same brand can be significant.
3. Consider the fabric. A blazer in lightweight wool has less tolerance than one in flannel or tweed. A stiffer fabric is less forgiving of sizing imprecision.
4. Do not buy with the intention of making drastic alterations. A tailor can shorten sleeves, take in the waist, or narrow the hips slightly. They cannot widen a blazer that is tight across the chest or correct a shoulder that falls.
5. Contact customer service before ordering. On michidamato.com/collections/blazer you will find the full selection, but if you have a specific question about a fit, ask directly: whoever manages the catalogue knows every garment first-hand.
You can also browse the new arrivals to discover the latest pieces in stock.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Men's Blazer Size
How do I know if a blazer fits correctly without trying it on? The most reliable method is to measure a blazer you already know fits you well and compare those measurements (shoulder width, chest, sleeve length) with the product specifications. Quality made in Italy blazer listings include these details precisely. If you cannot find them, contact the retailer directly.
What is the difference between Italian and UK/US sizing for blazers? Italian sartorial sizing is expressed in chest centimetres (48, 50, 52) and is equivalent to European sizing. UK/US sizing uses a different numbering system (36, 38, 40) which corresponds to roughly half the chest measurement in centimetres. So an Italian 50 corresponds to a UK/US 40.
Can I have alterations made to a sartorial blazer bought online? Yes, within limits. A skilled tailor can shorten sleeves, take in the waist, and adjust the hem. It is not possible, or prohibitively expensive, to significantly widen a blazer that is tight in the chest, or to correct a shoulder that drops. On a quality Italian made men's blazer, the construction allows for more precise alterations than on industrially produced garments.
Do Tagliatore, Lardini, Sartorio and Cesare Attolini share the same fit? No. Each brand has its own sizing interpretation and its own construction. Neapolitan-school brands generally tend toward softer, more unstructured builds compared to others. Consulting the brand-specific guide, or contacting the store directly — is always the safest approach before a significant purchase.
Still unsure about your size? Get in touch: we know every garment in our selection and we are here to guide you to the right choice.