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PhrasesTrying on ClothesSembra fatto su misura.
B1

Sembra fatto su misura.

It looks like it was made to measure.

Pronunciation

'Misura' — 'mi-ZU-ra'. Stress on second syllable. The 's' between vowels is voiced ('z' sound).

When to use it

The ultimate compliment about fit. When something fits so perfectly it looks custom-made. Also used as a hopeful expression: 'it seems bespoke!'

What it means

'Su misura' = to measure/bespoke. Literally 'on measure'. 'Fatto su misura' = made to measure. 'Sembra' = it seems/it looks like. Present of 'sembrare'.

Variations

Calza a pennello.

It fits like a glove. (lit: like a paintbrush)

The most common Italian idiom for perfect fit

Come se fosse mio.

As if it were mine.

Expressing the naturalness of the perfect fit

Non sembra prêt-à-porter.

It doesn't look ready-to-wear.

Using French fashion term that Italians also use

Mini Dialogue

Commessa: Come le sta la giacca? Cliente: Sembra fatta su misura! Non ci credo. Commessa: È un taglio italiano classico — costruito per valorizzare qualsiasi fisico. Cliente: Davvero impressionante. La prendo.

Assistant: How does the jacket fit? Customer: It looks like it was made to measure! I can't believe it. Assistant: It's a classic Italian cut — built to flatter any figure. Customer: Really impressive. I'll take it.

Cultural Note

Italian ready-to-wear ('prêt-à-porter') has historically been of much higher quality than other countries' mass-market clothing, aiming to approximate the look of bespoke tailoring. This gap has narrowed but the aspiration remains.