Vivienne Westwood sizing or suitable alternative?

[Badgerstriper]

I’ve long been lusting after a Vivienne Westwood deconstructed-style blazer (like the drunken tailor one). They’re expensive so ideally I’d find a second hand one, or even a dupe.

I suppose I have two questions. One is around sizing - I’m usually a 16 on top. This would presumably be a 48 in VW sizing? And the second would be if anyone has one of her jackets already - how do they come up? Large/small? The website don’t have them in a 48 so I’m trying to work out if they are made in that size at all.

Or does anyone want to make my day and tell me they found a similar shaped jacket for mere pennies somewhere else?! (A girl can wish 😂)

I've never got my head around European sizing so don't take my word for it but isn't a 48 more like a UK size 20?

I own one VW jacket (although not the drunken one) and I've tried on a couple of others and all of them have been generously sized.

I can't help with the second question I'm afraid - no-one quite like Dame Vivienne!

Thanks for your reply! Maybe I need to get myself along to the bricks and mortar shop and try things on. I feared that due to the Italian sizing they’d be small (I often find European labels cut small) so good to hear your experience!

If this is any help at all, I have a vintage Anglomania jacket and a vintage Anglomania winter coat, both in size 42 that fit me well.

I have a vintage Red Label spring coat in size 44 which is a bit big on me but not unbearably baggy.

I wear a size 32B bra and my waist measures 25 inches. I most often fit a size 8 in modern clothing, occasionally a size either side of that.

I would say my VW items come up a bit on the small side overall but all the above items are at least 15 years old!

VW tailoring i think runs small and Italian . I’d advise trying on as the fit on some can close and specific ( e.g. on waist, underarms).

I’ve worn 40-44 which I think is 8-12.. but definitely try it on if you can! Vinted might have some bargains and can be resold. I’ve not seen 48 but def 46. The sizing also ranges across the gold/red/anglomania lines. As @Floisme says though some things are looser and generous (like winter coats and some dresses).

In terms of dupes on look, not cut quality though, try;

Oska (a bit looser but a whiff of deconstruction)
old all saints- ruffle era c 2005?
bolongaro Trevor - same designer as all saints

Happy hunting! It’s a really glorious look.

This is what I feared! I tried on a VW dress once in a shop and loved it. Although on paper it was my size it definitely came up small, I wondered if it was that particular style of dress but perhaps it’s all neatly cut.

Thanks for the brand recommendations - I’ll definitely be checking them out. And very good point on the arms - I’ve found that to be an issue on Italian/Spanish brands before.

It will depend on style, I think, and where it was small on you vs. where the garment is closely fitted. If you can't try it on, you really need to get exact measurements including things like upper arms if it's tight-sleeved, or be prepared to return it.

As a rule I always find clothes with a designer label are cut smaller than high street clothes, and if you go vintage that's even more the case so you really do need measurements even if it's labelled in UK sizing. Designers seem particularly to assume everyone is virtually flat-chested with a tiny ribcage😆

Is this the one you mean? I have it in dark navy

That's really similar to my Red Label jacket - mine is navy too but has a tie belt which I can't see on that one.

I have just measured the width of my size 44 Red Label jacket (similar to photo) buttoned, across the outside, and the waist is 15 inches and underarm to underarm 17.5 inches, there is no stretch in the material.

I hear you about vintage - I always just go with body measurements as anything else is misleading!

Thats lovely! The style I’ve had my eye on is more of a blazer, coming down to waist but with that great collar/lapel

Oh my goodness thanks for measuring! I think based on that 44 is maybe a size 12 then.

Yes, I'd say it's closest to a UK 12. It's not fitted at all below the waist. It is around 15 years old, I don't have any current VW to compare it with, alas!

Oh dear sorry if I misled about size 48 In fact my whole post seems to run counter to the general experience! Just goes to show you need actual garment measurements and ideally, to try on.

I really wish brands would scrap sizing that is meaningless numbers/letters, 12, 44, 38, M, XS etc. and just size things by measurement - waist, bust or hips, whatever applies to the garment - then we'd all know where we are, plus it would get rid of the emotional baggage some people attach to being a 'size 10' or a 'size 16' and make it factual instead, waist is 30 inches, right, I need a 30 inch skirt, job done.

I couldn’t agree more! It’s then going to be consistent across all brands. Although Levi’s, which I’ve been buying for years, has some number trickery too, despite apparently sizing to waist and leg length. According to them I’ve been the same waist size since i was 17. I’m in my late forties now and know for sure that can’t be true, but the label on my 501s insists!! 😂

I’ve owned loads of VW stuff and still have 2 jackets to get rid of (not the ones you want). When I was a 12-14 but busty I wore a 48 in the non-stretch dresses or jackets.

The jersey dresses are much more forgiving and she did a couple of jersey jackets over the years that you might make fit in a 48 or 50 (50 clothes are much rarer).

VW uses Italian sizing. So 42 is a U.K.10, 44 a 12 etc. 48 is indeed a 16.
However it does size quite small - I have an Anglomania skirt made from non stretchy material and it was snug on me, despite me wearing a 42 in other Italian brands. I’ve not tried any tops, so couldn’t say how generous she is in the boob department. Different brands allow for different levels of womanly curves, I would have thought VW would have allowed some give on top?
Giorgio Armani, for example, is a designer with tiny sizing, and never any room for a bust as his ideal woman is an adolescent boy. Therefore I would never fit in a GA jacket.

My mind is made up to go to the VW store and try on. If there isn’t anything that fits then in some ways it makes it much easier! I’d be disappointed though - My perception has been (although based on celebs wearing VW so probably made to measure) that generous curves were well catered for.

Yes I’ve noticed that there is a lack of second hand availability in anything 46 and above.

I would love some VW stuff, and Ive had my eye on that drunken tailor one too.

I have a few and I'm a 40 in anything over the last 20 years or so. I'm generally an 8 but a bit of a curvy 8. Anything older than that and I'm a 42 and I have a 44 corset that I pour out of nowadays ( and not in a good way! )

Vivienne Westwood is Italian sizing. Size 16UK=Size 44FR=Size 48IT.

I am a 10-12 on top and generally go for the 44 in Westwood though the 42 fits. I am 32F and wear 44 in the drunken tailor shirt. Their stretchy stuff is more forgiving.

Oh, yes - do it! Make an occasion of it, dress up and do some other shopping, have a posh coffee. I'd love to go into a VW store and try a few things on but I know I'd end up buying something I couldn't really afford!

If you don't find any clothes in the WV store that tick the holy grail of 1. You loving it it 2. It suiting you 3. It fitting comfortably - you might still find something you like amongst the accessories. I've seen some lovely VW watches lately, sadly out of my budget, but I can dream 😆