tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post4973803451053905000..comments2024-03-12T13:57:38.337-07:00Comments on Chronically Vintage: Vintage clothing sizing 101Witchcrafted Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-75819331084400175522018-05-18T08:15:41.402-07:002018-05-18T08:15:41.402-07:00Hi there, thank you for your comment and question....Hi there, thank you for your comment and question. Generally speaking, there isn't a "straight up" size-to-size conversion from vintage to modern clothing sizes. The best and most reliable approach is to know your current measurements and then shop for vintage clothing in the same measurement range. <br /><br />That said... :)<br /><br />Very, very broadly speaking, a current US size 12-14 would stand to be close to a mid-century (1940s to early 60s) size 20 - 24. <br /><br />Hope this helps you. Happy vintage shopping! <br /><br />♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-2394026410512733622018-03-11T12:26:46.869-07:002018-03-11T12:26:46.869-07:00Hello im still a little confused if i am a lets sa...Hello im still a little confused if i am a lets say 12-14 US SIZE. What size will i ne in vintage?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-19480358060331475872017-04-26T11:30:34.749-07:002017-04-26T11:30:34.749-07:00Thanks for this article. It's truly wonderful!...Thanks for this article. It's truly wonderful! My mom was always called "too thin" her entire teenage 50's and 60's life. They made fun of her pretty hard for being...a size 12. I was 13 years-old in 1987 when I learned I wore a size 3. How ironic! I too, was made fun of for being "a walking toothpick." I remember hearing, "You have no chest? Don't worry dear, you'll grow some." Well by age 23 I hadn't and I was still in a size 3 so I had to buy some lol. It took me 32 years to "grow a butt." Now I'm 43 and have curves -both on top and bottom -that I really want to...get rid of! I'm a today's size 8/10. You're absolutely right about tailors. It's a rare thing to buy something off the rack that actually looks nice like it does on the website models. I do better buying what looks pretty at TJ Maxx somewhere around my size (6-12) then taking it to a tailor and having it look amazing. Tailoring really makes a dramatic difference regardless of what I try wearing. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06979011927816885905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-49622549890314212452016-04-26T17:15:13.004-07:002016-04-26T17:15:13.004-07:00Terrific tip! Thank you very much for bringing up ...Terrific tip! Thank you very much for bringing up that important sizing element, as well as for your visit to my blog.<br /><br />Have a beautiful spring (or fall, if you're south of the equator),<br />♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-90310956965487207982016-04-26T11:36:49.275-07:002016-04-26T11:36:49.275-07:00Great article! As a seamstress I'd like to poi...Great article! As a seamstress I'd like to point out one aspect of measuring a vintage garment and comparing it to your own measurements. You need to add what's called "wearing ease" to you measurement. For example, if you have a 34 inch bust, the actual garment should measure around 35 -36 inches depending on how snug it should look (think evening sheath versus shirtwaist). If it's exactly your measurement you won't be able to move in it.<br />rsohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04733376111472295239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-91028841040004128372016-03-06T11:10:42.307-08:002016-03-06T11:10:42.307-08:00Hi Heather, thank you very much for your detailed ...Hi Heather, thank you very much for your detailed comment and for seeking my impute on vintage sizing. My understanding is that Mango's By Allen James launched (and may have only existed for a little while during) the early 1990s, but as it's not a very famous brand, I haven't heard too much about it and don't believe I have any personal experience with this brand.<br /><br />Clothing size numbers (e.g., 2, 12, 20, etc) are essentially arbitrary and should only be used, at best, as a gentle guiding hand when buying vintage (or new) clothing. Accurate measurements matter far more and are your best indicator of if a garment is apt to fit you, especially if you can't try the item on in person. <br /><br />I'd recommend measuring a similar (if you have one) garment that fits you well and seeing how it compares to the measurements that you shared with me. If they're similar and you believe the listing to be accurate, then there's a decent chance the item will work for you. <br /><br />To address you last point, sizing has continued (with many brands at least) to get larger in the last 25 years for sure, but 1990s sizing is usually closer to the number-to-measurement ratio used today than that of, say, the 1940s or 50s, so if you were (and I don't suggest that you do) going off that point alone, a 90s garment would most likely be closer to a modern (2016) size and could even be about that same in the case of some brands.<br /><br />I hope that helps and welcome any follow up questions that you may have.<br /><br />♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-12569199675961679742016-03-06T10:54:19.402-08:002016-03-06T10:54:19.402-08:00Hi, great information, thank you. I have a questio...Hi, great information, thank you. I have a question regarding a vintage jumpsuit brand Mango's by Allan James with a tag label of size 12 and measurements taken flat listed as: shoulder to shoulder 18", bust 23.5", waist 19", hips 25", shoulder to crotch 32.5", inseam 28.5", rise 13". The listing (eBay) indicates the measurements to be approximate and vintage is typically smaller than modern. I messaged to confirm the measurements and was assured the information was accurate. <br />Are you familiar with this brand of clothing and they're typical sizing applied to today standards? <br />I would have thought a vintage size 12 to be smaller than these measurements. <br />Thank you<br />HeatherGypsyStarrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11903124106216746668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-88944027394503699942016-01-17T15:26:32.107-08:002016-01-17T15:26:32.107-08:00Thank you very much for sharing your feelings on t...Thank you very much for sharing your feelings on the topic of size zeros with us, lovely lady. I'm a longtime (multiple) chronic illness fighter myself and know full well (on both sides of the coin) how frustrating it can be to have your health play so heavily into your body's shape and/or size. With all my heart, I'm sorry that you're in constant severe chronic pain (I am as well) and also that you size zeros make you feel that way. I get that entirely. Sizing is so arbitrary and a number that ultimately means nothing (because of that fact), but it must be difficult for many to look at a tag and see "zero" or "double zero". <br /><br />I'm of the mind that all (at least adult) clothing, for women and men alike, should be sold with measurements in inches (or cm, depending on the country) that they they should be 100% factual (aka, no vanity sizing there, as sometimes happens with garments sized in this way). If such was the case universally, there literally could not be a size zero by default, as no one measures "0" on any part of their body. <br /><br />Please always remember that you are gorgeous, strong, inspirational and not in any way, shape or form defined by what size clothing you wear. You are your heart, your mind, your soul, your struggles, your stories, what you give to the world, and how life your life, not the digit(s) on your clothing labels.<br /><br />Many hugs & immense understanding,<br />♥ Jessica<br /><br />Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-78478684938110887922016-01-17T13:44:52.830-08:002016-01-17T13:44:52.830-08:00I am a size 0 or double zero or xxs and am petite ...I am a size 0 or double zero or xxs and am petite (vivien leigh sized with slightly larger hips. but have at least a D cup bust but xtetrmely narrow back and waist of 20.. I love victorian clothes and children's clothes.(but not velour and glitter lol.but I also have a rare genetic disorder called ehlers danlos it comes with excrutiating chronic pain..so i would never wish it on even the rudest "envious" woman.I HATE that we have a zero. I hate magazines try to tough it as a normal achievement. I look "normal" and not unhealthy. but I REALLY hate double zero. It makes me feel like if there are zero ' out there our sizing says a double zero is "less than nothing"!I truly wish we would return to vintage sizing. I've worn vintage for a long time<br />Just please, all you beautiful people (and you ALL are, enjoy your health and mobility and remember when you see a slender person, we aren't all anorexic or have cancer, but we don't all have "perfect "lives either.dress in what fits and you will be beautiful.take care of yourself and you will feel better. Try to ignore all this "lifestyle marketing madness" xoxoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-650616246269471532015-12-09T01:48:20.354-08:002015-12-09T01:48:20.354-08:00Hi Jessica, thank you for both of your comments. T...Hi Jessica, thank you for both of your comments. The St. John clothing brand was launched back in 1962 or '63 (I've seen both years cited) by Robert and Marie Gray. They've always placed and emphasis on suits, knitwear, and other office appropriate attire and are still in business to this day. <br /><br />If the size listed is a six, it could be just that, however if we're talking a 1970s, 80s, or often even 90s "6" that is usually not the same as a modern day size 6 and could be smaller than a 2015 size 6. How much so, is hard to say, especially if you aren't sure what decade the suit hails from. <br /><br />If you can get the key measurements for a piece (and assuming, they're accurate) and compare them to your body's and/or those of a garment that fits you well, you should be on the right track. Is it not possible to message the eBay seller and ask them for the measurements (bust, waist, hips, sleeve length, total garment length, etc)? <br /><br />Honestly, if a seller isn't allowing you to contact them and they don't offer returns, I would proceed with the utmost of caution in dealing with them. Those are two huge red flags in my books and I'd be leery of any seller who had both in place, plus who hadn't clearly stated the garment's measurements in their listing. Even if the suit is a good deal, you could potentially be walking into a problematic situation there, so please proceed with caution. I'd had to see you - or anyone else - get burned by an unscrupulous eBay seller. <br /><br />Thanks again & please don't hesitate to let me know if you have any other questions. I'm always here to be of help however I can.<br /><br />♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-75838418549543266102015-12-08T07:12:20.847-08:002015-12-08T07:12:20.847-08:00Do you have any advice on sizing variations on Vin...Do you have any advice on sizing variations on Vintage St. John Dresses and Suits?<br />I really want to purchase this particular Vintage St. John knit dress by Marie Gray on eBay in a size 6 (my normal size) but I am worried it may be too small and there is no way of contacting the seller (who does not offer returns by the way). Thank you for your article! Best Regards,<br />JessicaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12399555575961766113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-58187557780320967392015-12-08T07:07:10.642-08:002015-12-08T07:07:10.642-08:00I have been shopping on eBay a lot in the past few...I have been shopping on eBay a lot in the past few years and I have seen the brand St. John the suits are as fabulous and timeless as Chanel in my opinion. Are you familiar with the Vintage St. John knit dresses by Marie Gray? I am not sure how vintage they are and I am worried about purchasing one and it being too small. I read your article on Vintage sizing but this dress is a size 6 (my typical size) but it does not give measurements and there i no way of contacting this seller. I would appreciate any advice? Best Regards, Jessica.... jessica.b.brunelle@gmail.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12399555575961766113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-32204933805057687652015-10-07T12:37:07.411-07:002015-10-07T12:37:07.411-07:00I fully and completely understand. Even if I didn&...I fully and completely understand. Even if I didn't wear vintage styles, I know that my look would be off-the-beaten path and yet deeply classic at the same time. I've never felt a pull to follow trends, nor to buy tons of inferior quality modern clothing/accessories and that wouldn't change even if I was looking more the 21st century part.<br /><br />Thank you for your comment. Have a great autumn!<br /><br />♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-83815746253820430452015-10-07T11:38:40.599-07:002015-10-07T11:38:40.599-07:00I wear a size 8 or 10 in vintage clothing. And I h...I wear a size 8 or 10 in vintage clothing. And I have kinda given up on modern clothing. Just tired of the damn low rise BS. You know? Can't stand it. Plus modern stuff id made like crap. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-27022914729384143812015-06-18T18:24:33.052-07:002015-06-18T18:24:33.052-07:00There truly is and I don't even really let it ...There truly is and I don't even really let it phase me any more - though I do hate it when a company states their measurements as being one thing and then in reality, they're another. I run into that both with vintage repro and modern clothing brands sometimes and it's rather frustrating.<br /><br />♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-65820813196343848542015-06-17T21:07:03.684-07:002015-06-17T21:07:03.684-07:00There is such an incredible variation in sizing be...There is such an incredible variation in sizing between modern clothing manufacturers and yes this is true.. thank for this<a href="http://cheapwaistcincher.com/" rel="nofollow">visit here</a>blogcristianohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06299162909545069326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-30152166974440000322015-02-09T16:29:05.516-08:002015-02-09T16:29:05.516-08:00Hi Coco, thank you for your messages and question ...Hi Coco, thank you for your messages and question about your sizing. I would suggest going up to a vintage size 16 or even 18, if needed, and then having the garments taken in at the waist or elsewhere if needed so as to best fit you (either done by yourself, if you're a sewer, or by a professional seamstress). You may find, too, that separates work better for you with genuine vintage pieces than dresses. This way you can be, say, a 14 on the bottom and a 16 or 18 on the top. A lot of modern vintage reproduction and vintage style dresses have measurements that are more in keeping with the average 21st century figure(s) and those may be a great option for you as well. <br /><br />Best of luck! <br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-40559275589757916982015-02-07T23:49:20.334-08:002015-02-07T23:49:20.334-08:00My measurements are 37-27-37.5
I should be a vint...My measurements are 37-27-37.5<br /><br />I should be a vintage size 14 but the bust is too small. <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07189712925504390614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-17755419014443263382015-02-07T23:46:40.019-08:002015-02-07T23:46:40.019-08:00I'm 5"2 and my measurements are 37-27-37....I'm 5"2 and my measurements are 37-27-37.5.. what would that make me? My bust is far too big for a vintage size 14-16 but the waist and hips fit.. lolAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07189712925504390614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-40648274520292183872014-12-20T08:12:43.922-08:002014-12-20T08:12:43.922-08:00Middle ages could outfits made from sumptuous text...Middle ages could outfits made from sumptuous textiles ended up being earmarked with regard to people of the nobility along with the prosperous service provider instruction. Ladies inside peasant instruction have been restricted to rough textiles as well as less difficult types <a href="http://bestwaistcincherreview.com/" rel="nofollow">andrew</a>. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17025556103930158459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-75716976920177163642014-01-26T23:48:11.114-08:002014-01-26T23:48:11.114-08:00Hi Donna, thank you very much for your great comme...Hi Donna, thank you very much for your great comment. I'm really delighted that you found my blog and that this post proved to be helpful to you on the vintage sizing front. I'm usually a modern 4/6 on top and a 6/8 on the bottom, and find that a 1940s/50s size 16 fits me best, but I've certainly fit into plenty of 14s with no troubles either. There is so much mystery behind clothing sizes and how they came to be, as well as why the numbers got smaller of the years, and it seems the further back in time you, the fuzziest the beginnings of this numbered sizing system become, but hopefully this post can at least help the difference between sizes 55 to 80 years ago and the race for teeny, tiny vanity driven sizes of today. <br /><br />I really appreciate your comment and look forward to connecting with you here again anytime.<br /><br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-64466629117212044712014-01-26T14:15:58.318-08:002014-01-26T14:15:58.318-08:00Hi Jessica, I recently purchased a lovely vintage...Hi Jessica, I recently purchased a lovely vintage polka dot dress at a local thrift shop. My intent was to place the dress on the vintage dress form in my studio to add a little pizazz to my creative nook. The dress was a size 14 and, by size tag alone, I judged the dress to be too large for me. Once I got the dress home and took a closer look, it seemed the dress might just fit me. Absolutely, the size 14 vintage fit my size 6 modern frame to a T. What a lovely surprise. So I went searching online, and found this blog post on vintage versus modern sizing. Thank you so much! <br /><br />I have enjoyed a lovely visit to your blog. I am a photographer and a quilter and your blog is a welcome inspiration. I hope to write a blog post regarding my vintage dress in the coming month, and I'll be sure to link to your blog for the full and complete story on vintage sizes. I'll stop by and visit again soon.Donnahttp://www.patchworkphotos.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-57258332261029149202013-01-28T12:21:43.722-08:002013-01-28T12:21:43.722-08:00Hi Ana, that makes complete sense. I'm a paper...Hi Ana, that makes complete sense. I'm a paper crafter more than a sewer myself, and the same thing applies often if you try to cut through a stack with multiple sheets of paper or cardstock. <br /><br />I really appreciate your sharing these terrific points, thank you very much.<br /><br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-88583723020306680392013-01-28T09:21:09.269-08:002013-01-28T09:21:09.269-08:00I had a friend who was trained as a seamstress and...I had a friend who was trained as a seamstress and she told me that originally clothes were all designed on the same mannequins/dressforms in the US (in the big cities where clothing was designed and made in the 30s, 40s, 50s and even 60s). Every dressmaker made a size 16 the same unless it was custom fit. Then came the "model muse" and the clothes were then designed to the model (think Twiggy and the like). Then the sizes started to vary from designer to designer, shop to shop. <br /><br />Also, some of the modern mass manufacturing techniques cause variations in sizing. A good example is low-end jeans. They stack the fabric for the jeans up to 25 high. We all know if you try to cut a couple pieces of fabric at the same time, they tend to slide causing the bottom piece to be a bit larger than the top piece. Imagine a stack of denim 25 high? This is why jeans from low-end shops vary so dramatically. Higher-end manufacturers don't allow as much variation but it takes longer to make the same number of jeans so they become more expensive. Does that make sense?anahttp://www.wellappointeddesk.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-63384970298590401612013-01-27T12:26:57.027-08:002013-01-27T12:26:57.027-08:00That is so, so true! I worked in retail fashion fo...That is so, so true! I worked in retail fashion for a while many, many years ago and saw that exact same thing happen time and time again first hand (with both men and women). Thank you for raising that point, Sanne. <br /><br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.com