Your Guide to Vintage Measurements

We've all been in a situation where we've ordered something online that we've fallen in love with, only for it to arrive and not fit. Heartbreaking! In the world of vintage shopping, this can happen, especially to first time vintage buyers. Vintage sizing is as varied and diverse as the bodies that wear them, and therefore we've compiled a visual guide for self measuring.

Why do I have to measure myself?

Vintage sizing can vary dramatically, regardless of brand, era, material or recommended sizing. Knowing your measurements can really help in avoiding disappointment when ordering something online you’ve fallen in love with - especially amazing vintage pieces!

We always include measurements in our listings, alongside recommended size. You should still always go by our measurements, as some garments can fall in-between recommended sizes, or have completely unique proportions!

 

But why are they different?

Vintage sizes can’t be relied on, as they differ for various reasons. Within each era, we see clothing manufacturers adapting to changing bodies, materials and vanity sizing, meaning lots of different numbers correlating to the same measurements. 

Vintage comes from all over the world, and much like today, size guide systems varied worldwide. Furthermore, handmade vintage is a common find, meaning that some clothes have been tailored for exact body measurements, meaning that these garments can have a completely unique tailoring for a unique body shape.

 

A visual guide on how to measure yourself: