Vintage Sizing & Measurements FAQ

How to Measure Yourself

To get the best fit from vintage pieces, take your measurements over a light layer of clothing (or directly on skin) using a flexible tape measure.

• Chest / Pit-to-Pit: Measure across the fullest part of your chest, from armpit to armpit.
• Torso length / Shoulder-to-Bottom: Measure from the highest point of the shoulder seam down to the bottom hem of the garment.
• Waist: Measure around your natural waist where you plan to wear the pants, keeping the tape snug but comfortable. Then compare that number with the waist measurement in the specific product description.
  

Compare your measurements directly to the garment measurements listed in each product description — don't rely on the tag size alone.

What Do Pit-to-Pit and Shoulder-to-Bottom Mean?

Pit-to-pit (also called chest width) is measured flat across the inside of the garment from underarm seam to underarm seam. Double this number for a full chest circumference equivalent. For a comfortable fit, your chest measurement should be equal to or slightly less than the doubled pit-to-pit figure.

Shoulder-to-bottom is the total length of the garment measured from the top of the shoulder seam straight down to the bottom hem. This tells you how long the piece will sit on your body.

Both measurements are taken with the garment laid flat. You'll find these measurements in the description of every item on our site.

How Do I Check Waist Sizing for Pants?

Measure around your natural waist where you plan to wear the pants, keeping the tape snug but comfortable. Then compare that number with the waist measurement in the specific product description. If a listing gives a flat waist measurement, measure straight across the waistband of pants laid flat and double it to estimate the waistband circumference. Also check the listed rise and inseam, when available, since where the waistband sits and the leg length affect fit. Vintage pants may have little stretch, so allow room for comfort and don't rely on the tag size alone.

Why Tag Size Is Only an Approximation

Vintage sizing standards varied widely by decade, brand, and country of manufacture. A tag marked "Large" from the 1970s may fit more like a modern Medium — or even a Small. A garment labelled "XL" from the 1980s may run narrow by today's standards.

Because of this, we always recommend buying by measurements, not tag size. The tag size is listed for reference only; the garment measurements in the product description are what matter.

One-of-a-Kind Items — Sold As-Is

Every piece in our store is a unique, one-of-a-kind vintage find. Once an item is gone, it's gone — we cannot restock or source a replacement. For this reason, all sales are final.

Items are sold as-is, reflecting their age and history. We do our best to accurately represent the condition of every piece before it reaches you.

How to Check Condition Details

Each product listing includes a condition description that covers visible signs of wear, any flaws, fading, or alterations. We recommend reading this section carefully before purchasing.

Check the product photos closely — we photograph any notable flaws directly so you can see exactly what you're getting. If you have a question about a specific item's condition, feel free to reach out before you buy.

Still Have Questions?

If something isn't clear, don't hesitate to contact us before purchasing. We want every vintage buy to be a great one.