We've all been there. You find a stunning vintage dress online – the perfect shade, the ideal silhouette – but a dark cloud hangs over your excitement: sizing. Vintage sizing can be a complete mystery, often leaving us wondering if that dream piece will resemble a potato sack or a sausage casing. Fear not, fellow vintage enthusiasts! Here's how to banish the sizing blues and confidently conquer the world of pre-loved treasures.
The Problem with Vintage Sizing:
Unlike modern clothing with standardized sizing, vintage garments are a different story. Sizing varied greatly across decades and even between brands. A "medium" from the 70s might be significantly smaller than today's equivalent. Additionally, some vintage pieces may have been altered throughout their lifetime, further complicating the sizing puzzle.
The Solution: Become a Measurement Master!
The key to unlocking the secrets of vintage sizing lies in mastering the art of self-measurement. Here's your crash course:
- Grab a soft measuring tape: This is your weapon of choice!
- Bust: Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest. Keep it snug but not constricting.
- Waist: Find the narrowest part of your torso, usually above your belly button. Measure here.
- Hips: Locate the fullest part of your hips and measure around it.
- Inseam (for pants): Measure from the crotch seam down the inner leg to your ankle bone.
Pro Tip: Wear clothes that fit you well when taking your measurements. This ensures a more accurate comparison to vintage garment measurements listed online or on tags.
You can also pick out items from your wardrobe that fit you well and measure those.
Beyond the Basics:
Knowing your key measurements is a great start, but some vintage pieces require additional knowledge. For example, a dress with a defined shoulder seam might need a specific shoulder width measurement. As an online vintage store we include garment measurements alongside the listed size. Here's where those self-measurement skills come in handy! Compare your measurements to the garment measurements to get a clearer picture of the fit.
Embrace the Consultation:
Don't hesitate to reach out to us! We are happy to provide additional measurements or answer questions about the fit of a particular garment.
Vintage Shopping with Confidence:
By becoming a measurement whiz and utilizing seller resources, you can transform vintage shopping from a guessing game into a treasure hunt. So, grab your measuring tape, embrace the thrill of the hunt, and get ready to discover your next pre-loved or vintage gem – all with the confidence of knowing it will fit perfectly!