Old Navy and Mango both sell by letter, which makes them look interchangeable on the rack — but the letters come from different worlds. Old Navy uses US alpha sizing with a famously generous cut: garments frequently measure a size or more over the label. Mango's letters are European at heart (its XS–XXL converts to EU 34–44), and the brand is widely considered the most true-to-size of the Spanish high street, cut for a slightly taller frame with long sleeves and inseams.
On paper the two charts track each other closely from XS through L, then split: above L, Old Navy's letters cover noticeably more body than Mango's. Add Old Navy's real-world vanity sizing on top, and the same letter is usually a roomier garment at Old Navy. Here are both charts aligned by body measurement, plus the switching rules that keep the letters from fooling you.
The short answer
Mango fits smaller — the letters match up to L, but Old Navy's garments run large and its top sizes cover more body
By the chart, an XS, S, M, or L body lands on the same letter at both brands: Old Navy's M fits a 36–37" bust and Mango's M fits 92 cm (36.2") — essentially the same person. The divergence starts above L, where Old Navy's grading jumps: its XL covers a 42.5–45" bust, which on Mango's chart is XXL territory (110 cm · 43.3"), and Old Navy's XXL is off Mango's chart entirely.
In practice the gap is wider than the charts suggest, because the two brands behave differently off paper. Old Navy runs large — finished garments often measure over the label, especially fitted tops, dresses, and jeans — while Mango delivers what its chart promises, with two caveats of its own: fitted woven dresses and jeans run snug, and everything is cut long for a taller frame.
Old Navy vs Mango at a glance
| Old Navy | Mango | |
|---|---|---|
| Sizing system | US alpha sizes (XS–XXL) | Alpha sizes as primary EU sizing, converted to US/UK |
| Overall fit | Runs large — garments often measure over the label | True to size; snug in fitted woven dresses and jeans |
| Where to adjust | Size down for a fitted look in tops, dresses, jeans | Size up in fitted woven dresses and jeans |
| Grading above S | Big jumps at the top — XL covers a 42.5–45" bust | Steps widen above S, but XL stops at 104 cm (40.9") |
| Proportions | Standard US lengths | Cut for a taller frame — sleeves and inseams run long |
Size-label mapping (women)
Aligned by body bust measurement, not by label — Old Navy uses US alpha sizing while Mango's letters are EU-based. The letters coincide through L, then Old Navy's cover more body.
| Old Navy | Old Navy bust | Closest Mango size | Mango bust |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 31–33" · 78.5–84 cm | XS (EU 34) | 82 cm · 32.3" |
| S | 34–35" · 86.5–89 cm | S (EU 36) | 86 cm · 33.9" |
| M | 36–37" · 91.5–94 cm | M (EU 38) | 92 cm · 36.2" |
| L | 38.5–40.5" · 98–103 cm | L (EU 40) | 98 cm · 38.6" |
| XL | 42.5–45" · 108–114.5 cm | XXL (EU 44) | 110 cm · 43.3" |
Women's bust and waist side by side
Body measurements from each brand's published chart, compared at the same letter. Old Navy publishes ranges; Mango publishes single values. Note how the gap opens at XL.
| Size | Old Navy bust | Mango bust | Old Navy waist | Mango waist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 31–33" · 78.5–84 cm | 82 cm · 32.3" | 23–25" · 58.5–63.5 cm | 62 cm · 24.4" |
| S | 34–35" · 86.5–89 cm | 86 cm · 33.9" | 26–27" · 66–68.5 cm | 66 cm · 26" |
| M | 36–37" · 91.5–94 cm | 92 cm · 36.2" | 28–29" · 71–73.5 cm | 72 cm · 28.3" |
| L | 38.5–40.5" · 98–103 cm | 98 cm · 38.6" | 30.5–32.5" · 77.5–82.5 cm | 78 cm · 30.7" |
| XL | 42.5–45" · 108–114.5 cm | 104 cm · 40.9" | 34.5–37" · 87.5–94 cm | 85 cm · 33.5" |
Men's tops side by side
Body chest measurements, aligned by measurement rather than label. From M up, a Mango letter sits about one Old Navy letter lower — Mango's XL chest (113 cm) lands inside Old Navy's L range.
| Chest | Old Navy size | Mango size |
|---|---|---|
| 37–38" · 94–96.5 cm | S | S (95 cm · 37.4") |
| 39–41" · 99–104 cm | M | M (101 cm · 39.8") |
| 43–45" · 109–114.5 cm | L | XL (113 cm · 44.5") |
| 47–49" · 119.5–124.5 cm | XL | — |
Switching between Old Navy and Mango
- Coming from Old Navy to Mango: keep your letter through L, but expect a trimmer, longer cut — and if you wear XL or up at Old Navy, start at least one Mango letter higher.
- Coming from Mango to Old Navy: take your usual letter in basics, but go one size down in fitted tops, dresses, and jeans — Old Navy's garments routinely measure over the label.
- Denim is where the brands flip: size down (or take the smaller of two sizes) at Old Navy, size up at Mango — its jeans run snug.
- Petite or short-armed? Check Mango's sleeve and inseam lengths before ordering; it cuts for a taller frame than Old Navy does.
Measurements are based on each brand's published size charts and may vary by garment, fabric, and region. For the full charts and fit notes, see the Old Navy size guide and the Mango size guide.
Old Navy vs Mango sizing FAQs
Which runs smaller, Old Navy or Mango?
Mango, in practice. The body charts nearly match from XS through L, but Old Navy garments often measure a size or more over the label, while Mango runs true to its chart. Above L the charts themselves diverge: an Old Navy XL body (42.5–45" bust) wears roughly a Mango XXL.
Is an Old Navy medium the same as a Mango medium?
On the chart, essentially yes — Old Navy's M fits a 36–37" bust and Mango's M fits 92 cm (36.2"). On the body, the Old Navy M will usually feel roomier, because Old Navy cuts generously while Mango stays true to size with a longer, trimmer line.
I wear XL at Old Navy — what size am I at Mango?
Start with Mango's XXL. Old Navy's XL covers a 42.5–45" bust, and on Mango's chart that's XXL territory (110 cm · 43.3"). If your measurements sit at the top of Old Navy's XL range or beyond, you may be past Mango's chart, which stops at XXL.
Should I size up or down in jeans at these brands?
Opposite directions. Old Navy jeans run big in the waist and hip and stretch further with wear — take the smaller size. Mango jeans run snug, and sizing up is the standard advice. Converting your label size directly between the two brands' denim is the surest way to a return.
Does Mango run longer than Old Navy?
Yes. Mango cuts for a slightly taller frame, so sleeves, hems, and inseams run long compared with Old Navy's standard US proportions. Tall shoppers often prefer Mango for exactly this reason; petite shoppers should check garment lengths on the product page.
