Imperial Sleeveless draped maxi dress black – Imperial

Our three brands are Italian, and Italian clothing generally runs smaller than French clothing. An Italian 40 corresponds to a French 36, or a size S. This page provides all the benchmarks you need to choose correctly.

Size Conversion

This conversion is a guide, not an absolute rule: the same size does not fit the same way in fluid crepe as it does in raw denim.

How to take your measurements

Measure yourself in your underwear, with the tape measure flat against your body, without pulling tight or sucking in your stomach. Get help if you can: measurements taken on yourself are often inaccurate.

• Bust measurement — at the fullest point, with the tape measure held horizontally across your back.
• Waist measurement — at the natural hollow, just above the navel.
• Hip measurement — at the widest point, about twenty centimeters below the waist.
• Inseam — from the crotch to the bottom of the hem, along the inside of the leg. This is the useful length of a pair of pants.
• Rise — from the crotch to the waistband. This determines whether a pair of pants is high, mid, or low-rise.

Reading the measurements on our product pages

When a product page indicates measurements, they are taken while flat on a size S, with the fabric unstretched.

In practical terms: a chest width listed as 50 cm corresponds to a 100 cm circumference, as the garment is measured from one seam to the other, on a single layer of fabric. Remember to double it when comparing to your own measurements.

To convert from one size to the next, count on approximately four centimeters of difference when laid flat for the bust, and two to three centimeters at the waist for bottoms.

Choosing by brand

Imperial — the Italian tailor, fitted without being tight. Blazers, cocktail pants, and tuxedos follow the lines of the body. Take your usual size; go up one size if you plan on wearing the blazer over a thick shirt or knitwear.

Please — the cuts are loose by design. Palazzo, balloon, wide-leg, cropped: the volume is part of the design, it is not a matter of sizing. Take your usual size, even if the piece looks large on the hanger. For jeans, the size indicated corresponds to your usual ready-to-wear size, not an American size.

Dixie — bohemian chic, fluid and often oversized cuts. Dresses and blouses can accommodate one size down if you are looking for a less loose silhouette. Brand exclusive to Lyon in our 6th arrondissement boutique.

Two common scenarios

You are hesitant between two sizes. For a structured piece—blazer, jacket, tailored pants—take the larger one: a piece that is too tight cannot be fixed, but a piece that is slightly large can be altered. For a fluid piece, take the smaller one: the drape will be cleaner.

You are not the same size on top and bottom. This is the most common case, and it is precisely the advantage of buying pieces separately rather than as a suit: choose the jacket in your top size and the pants in your bottom size. Our suits are put together piece by piece.

Alterations and fitting

An alteration service is available in-store to adjust a length, take in a waist, or adapt a piece to your body type.

Trying items on remains the most reliable way to choose. Our advisors can also answer your sizing questions by phone.

Imperial Fashion — 21 rue du Président Édouard Herriot, Lyon 1st
Please Fashion — 25 rue du Président Édouard Herriot, Lyon 1st
Imperial Gallery — 38 avenue Maréchal de Saxe, Lyon 6th

Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm.