ONLINE SHOPPING SIZING GUIDE

Clothing sizes have changed over the years to the extent that we cannot rely on the size label, if there is one present, in vintage clothing. For this reason we will give measurements of each item of vintage clothing, rather than a size.

The following measurement instructions are intended as a guide, not a guarantee, but following them will ensure the best chance of good fit when measuring yourself and selecting vintage clothing. 


HOW WE MEASURE WOMEN’S CLOTHES

We take measurements in inches with the garment laid flat:

o        bust measurement is taken from underarm to underarm, and doubled;

o        natural waist measurement is taken across the garment at the narrowest part of the waist, and doubled
( if the waist is elasticated we will give the measurement of the waist unstretched and the measurement of the waist fully stretched );

o        Empire waist measurement is taken across the garment under the bust, and doubled:

o        hip measurement is taken across the garment, 7 inches below the natural waist, and doubled;

o        length measurement - depending on the type of garment we will indicate for each item whether this is taken from neck to hem, shoulder to hem, waist to hem etc;

o        outside arm measurement is taken from the shoulder to the wrist;

o        inside arm measurement is taken from the underarm seam to the wrist;

o        any other measurements deemed to be appropriate for a garment will be given.

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HOW WE MEASURE MEN’S CLOTHES

We take measurements in inches with the garment laid flat:

o        chest measurement is taken from underarm to underarm, and doubled;

o        natural waist measurement is taken across the garment at the narrowest part of the waist, and doubled
hip measurement is taken across the garment, 7 inches below the natural waist, and doubled;

o        length measurement - depending on the type of garment we will indicate for each item whether this is taken from neck to hem, shoulder to hem, waist to hem etc;

o        outside arm measurement is taken from the shoulder to the wrist;

o        inside arm measurement is taken from the underarm seam to the wrist;

o        inside leg is taken from the crotch to the hem

o        o

o        utside leg is taken from the garment waist to the hem

HOW TO SELECT VINTAGE CLOTHING FOR YOUR SIZE

You should remember that the measurements we give are the measurements of the garment and you should allow room for movement. Therefore if you have a 30 inch waist, a garment that has a waist measurement of 30 inches will be too tight. The best way to assess whether a vintage garment will fit you is to follow these steps:

o        Step 1 - take your bust, waist and hip measurements in inches, and any other relevant measurements. For example, if you want to buy a long sleeved garment you will also need to know your arm measurements;

o        Step 2 - take corresponding measurements of one of your own garments, that fits you comfortably;

o        Step 3 - compare the two sets of measurements and take note of the difference between your measurements and the measurements of the garment. The difference will give you a guide as to how much bigger than you a garment should be to give you a comfortable fit.

o        Step 4 - Consider the style of the vintage garment that you are interested in, as this will affect your final decision on whether to buy. Remember that body shapes differ from one person to the next, and not everyone has the same proportions. For instance, in the case of an A line shift dress, it may not matter that the waist and hip measurements are a few inches bigger than your measurements, as long as the bust fits you comfortably. However, in the case of an hour glass shaped garment that fits you at the waist and hips, it will matter if the bust of the garment is too big, unless you are able to adjust the garment, or are able to get someone else to adjust it for you.

Finally, remember that your measurements, like your weight, can fluctuate, and this measurement exercise is one that you should carry out on a regular basis, to ensure the best chance of good fit. If you are in any doubt of any garment on our website, please contact us. We welcome questions, so if you need advice on the fit of a garment or need additional measurements please ask. Remember, if you have an atypical body shape, such as a high or low natural waistline you will need to know measurements from the shoulder or neck to waist. We recommend that you have all the relevant measurements to hand when making a decision about an item on the website. A well informed choice will avoid disappointment and the need for an item return.

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CONDITION CHART

The majority of our vintage clothing is in excellent to mint condition. Only a small portion of the vintage items we sell will be in less than excellent condition. If an item has any flaws, we will mention these in the item description to enable you to make an informed buying decision. All of the items we sell are in wearable condition.

All our vintage items have been carefully selected for their quality, condition, desirability and beauty. We believe that vintage clothing should be worn and shown off, and this is reflected in the quality of the items we sell.

MINT
The garment or item has no flaws and appears unworn or unused.

EXCELLENT
The garment or item may have been worn or used several times but has no obvious flaws that affect wearability. There may be minor imperfections such as the original belt being missing, original buttons or zip replaced, discolouration of the garment's lining, or invisible repairs. Any such minor imperfections will be mentioned in the item listing.

VERY GOOD
The garment or item may have minor flaws such as wear to the fabric, minor stains or small holes that may be cleanable or repairable, but are virtually unnoticeable and don't affect wearability.

FAIR
The garment or item has stains, tears or repairs that are really noticeable and may affect wearability. (We will only sell a garment or item that falls under this condition grading, if it is highly collectable).

We carefully check each item for flaws at the time of writing descriptions for the website. If you place an order for an item, we will check the item again and inform you if there is any change to the original condition report.  

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