VINTAGE SIZES

The cut, design, shape and fit of vintage clothing is very different than the mass produced clothing we see today.  Most women, if they did not do it themselves, had a seamstress who 1.) custom made their clothing or 2.) altered ready made clothing to fit them so it looked custom made for their figure.  This is why you can try on two dresses from the mid 1950s that are both marked "Size 12" and they fit completely differently if they fit at all.

Vintage sizes are misleading in comparison to modern clothing sizes.  If the item has a marked size, we will state it in the listing.  We follow it with "Fits more like a modern "xx" to give you a better idea of the modern equivalent of it's size. 

TAKING YOUR MEASUREMENTS

The most important way to determine if a vintage garment will fit is the actual measurements of the garment in comparison to your body measurements.   To learn how to take proper measurements please visit the following link: Pattern School: How To Measure .  (Don't forget to take the measurements over the undergarments you would wear with the item~~this will make a big difference with fit.)

EASE(Y) DOES IT

Now that you have your body measurements, compare them to the measurements for the item you are interested in.  Just don't forget to allow for "ease".  This is the difference between your body measurements and the garment measurements.  Obviously, the less difference, the tighter the garment will fit.  You must allow for 1 to 2 inches of "ease" for even a close fitting garment.  This is a critical part of determining if a garment will fit.   Take a similar garment from your wardrobe that fits well and compare it's measurements to the item you are interested in to get an even better idea of the fit of the garment.

HOW WE MEASURE OUR MERCHANDISE

Garments are placed on a flat surface and are measured to the fullest fit (without stretching the fabric) which is multiplied by two (X 2). 

• BUST:  Across the front of the garment from underarm seam to underarm seam.
• UNDERBUST:  Approximately 3 inches below the bustline.
• WAIST:  From side seam to side seam.  If there is no actual waist seam, we measure at the narrowest part of the waist area.
• SHOULDER TO WAIST:  From the middle of a shoulder seam to the waist seam if there is one.
• HIP:  Approximately 8 to 9 inches below waist from side seam to side seam, or at the fullest part of the hip area.
• GARMENT LENGTH:  From the middle of a shoulder seam to the base of the hemline.
• SLEEVE LENGTH:  From the top center where the sleeve meets the shoulder seam to the end of the sleeve.
• SHOULDER/BACK WIDTH:  Across the back of the garment from where the shoulder seam meets the armhole seam on each side.
• SKIRT LENGTH:  From the waist seam to base of hemline.

Remember, it's always easier to take a garment in than to let it out.  Please inquire if you need additional measurements or have any questions or concerns about fit.

Thank you for taking the time to visit this page.