It's a bit tight around the waist.
'Giro vita' — 'JI-ro VI-ta'. 'Giro' = circuit/circumference. In rapid speech: 'girovita' said as one word.
Describing a fit problem precisely. Italian shop staff appreciate specific feedback — it helps them find the right solution quickly.
'Giro vita' literally means 'waist circuit' — the measurement around the waist. 'In giro vita' = at the waist. Body part vocabulary: 'giro fianchi' (hips), 'giro petto' (chest), 'giro spalle' (shoulders).
È stretto sui fianchi.
It's tight on the hips.
'Fianchi' = hips — key area in Italian tailoring
Non mi chiude sul davanti.
It doesn't close at the front.
Common problem with jackets or shirts
Le spalle sono larghe ma la vita è stretta.
The shoulders are wide but the waist is tight.
Describing a complex fit situation
Italian tailors ('sarti') and seamstresses ('sarte') can often alter even ready-to-wear garments in ways that are impossible in other cultures. A good Italian tailor can transform an ill-fitting piece into something that looks bespoke.