sizing up sizing! advice needed for website

Hattysattic

Hattysattic

VFG Secretary
i'm pretty busy at the moment, as my son has finally started 5 mornings a week at nursery school (which he loves, thank goodness!) so i can finally work in earnest at finalising my long overdue website.
i've done the majority of it, but am just considering my sizing policy. i've got full measurements for all the garments as i usually would, and written up all the explanations about no standard sizes etc., and the importance of knowing your measurements - but have noticed that some web sellers do use their own size charts to provide an equivalent 'modern' dress size for their customers.

is it worth doing this? i would do it as an addition, rather than an alternative to exact measurements, and thought maybe it would help those who were buying vintage for the first time. but at the same time i don't think i actually know my correct dress size as they vary so wildly, and don't wish to make it so they don't bother measuring and end up with a poorer fit because of it (if that makes sense!)

any opinions welcome! :D
 
It's so hard to relate measures in vintage to modern sizes. It depends on the period, and the desired fit.

I just go with actual measures and leave it be.

Hollis
 
yes stick with measurements. modern sizing is a joke with variants depending on how thin or fat each manufacturer wants the customer to think they are. I don't even know my modern size and always take a tape measure shopping LOL
Louise
 
I would not even consider using a size chart. I think it enables people to use the line, "But I'm a size 8!" even if the size 8 on your size clearly does not fit her body measurements. Using measurements alone forces people to think in terms of real sizing, not arbitrary numbers.

Laura
 
Personally I get really frustrated with number sizing. No two sites have the same system. Shoot, I don't even like it with modern clothes. Just too confusing. I much prefer to have the size in inches - preferably somewhere outside the description so that I can find it quickly.

Talk about impatient, I really dislike having to search through paragraphs of misc. info just to find the measurements. Maybe I'm too picky, but if I'm looking at buying something to wear, I want to know the size first and then decide whether or not to read the description. Just some thoughts. :)

Connie
 
I don't think I've ever even referred to a chart with buying online. As the others said, I just use the measurements of the garment itself.

Lizzie
 
Hi Harriet,

What I might do in addition to taking the advice of everyone so far which i agree with 100% is adding something about how you measure. I am working on something for my site right now. You can never over state that measurements are taken of the garment and not the wearer, etc, and to compare to similar items that fit etc etc.

Chris
 
thanks lizzie and chris!
yes, i've written up a page on that - it's definitely necessary isn't it. what i am finding difficult at the moment is keeping information relatively brief!
i have cut my 'sizing' explanations etc. document down about 4 times already (so deciding not to include a modern size chart is a blessing really!)... i want to make sure everything is covered but have a hard time steering clear of my usual irrelevant ramblings.

good to see you back chris!
:hiya:
 
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