I buy vintage clothing for myself to wear . Does any one know about the sizes? For example, I have a vintage size 7 coat from the 50/60's. Is that the smallest size? How do the size numbers work to the current sizes of 0,2,4,6, 8 etc. of today. Any one have any ideas??. I'm not your average size and try to finder better fit in my purchases.
Vintage Clothing Sizes
- Thread starter bunny7766
- Start date
There is no reliable way to determine a size number for sveral reasons.
- the size scales sometimes vary from maker to maker
- the sizing scale has changed several times throughout the decades
- the size changes are not an "even exchange' where an old size 6 is now a 2, etc. The proportions were different. An item that is supposed to fit you based on size exchange from a different decade may not fit you because of the proportions. Two dresses with the same bust measurement, but one is 50s and one is 80s..the one from the 50s would have a much smaller waist measurement. And then of course because of that you could be totally different sizes in tops and bottoms.
I would suggest go by the measurements of the garment and ignore sizing. It may be trial and error at first but you will find that you consistenly wear similar measurements in comparable types of garments.
And being a "not your average size" - you could find that you just are yet to discover the decade of clothing that best fits your body type. Until i found 40s and 50s clothing I thought I was fat!!!
- the size scales sometimes vary from maker to maker
- the sizing scale has changed several times throughout the decades
- the size changes are not an "even exchange' where an old size 6 is now a 2, etc. The proportions were different. An item that is supposed to fit you based on size exchange from a different decade may not fit you because of the proportions. Two dresses with the same bust measurement, but one is 50s and one is 80s..the one from the 50s would have a much smaller waist measurement. And then of course because of that you could be totally different sizes in tops and bottoms.
I would suggest go by the measurements of the garment and ignore sizing. It may be trial and error at first but you will find that you consistenly wear similar measurements in comparable types of garments.
And being a "not your average size" - you could find that you just are yet to discover the decade of clothing that best fits your body type. Until i found 40s and 50s clothing I thought I was fat!!!
I usually try to go by measurements first . But I was hoping to find another way to determine fit. I have most of the problems in the shoulder area and in length of the arms. Since i'm barely 5 ft and very small in certain areas but very curvy in others. 95 % of the time I go to a tailor. For me I prefer late 50's to mostly 60's clothing. And I find it more difficult to find smaller sizes.
B
BagDiva
Guest
hi, l'm not sure as l dont know if you are talking about usa/Uk/ or european or other sizes in the item you have....
usually speaking here in the uK..l find most items are marked as a size larger (at a minimum) than they actually are...
for instance..if marked a size 12..then its usually is an actuall small uk 10...
l find the best thing to do is list the catual label as it states it, then quantify qith actual measurement...
ir label states a uk size 12, actual measurements are bust size 32.5"
l have a uk?USA/European size chart here if it helps any..for men and women...clothing and shoes...
http://www.sarasattic.co.uk/ordering.htm
nay thing else just holler!!
usually speaking here in the uK..l find most items are marked as a size larger (at a minimum) than they actually are...
for instance..if marked a size 12..then its usually is an actuall small uk 10...
l find the best thing to do is list the catual label as it states it, then quantify qith actual measurement...
ir label states a uk size 12, actual measurements are bust size 32.5"
l have a uk?USA/European size chart here if it helps any..for men and women...clothing and shoes...
http://www.sarasattic.co.uk/ordering.htm
nay thing else just holler!!
Bunny...do you have a problem with things being too big or small in the shoulders?
Welcome bunny!!!!!
I have the same problem. Short and curvy in places.
I however love the roaring 20's and 40's outfits, but of course, they don't fit me as well.
I have many items on my website that fit me really well, just not really my style of dress, so on the website they go.
Good luck in your search!!!
I have the same problem. Short and curvy in places.
I however love the roaring 20's and 40's outfits, but of course, they don't fit me as well.
I have many items on my website that fit me really well, just not really my style of dress, so on the website they go.
Good luck in your search!!!
Hi everyone,
Usually the shoulder area is too big in the clothing for me. The seams do not line up properly. And it can be too wide. Almost always the sleaves are too long for my short arms. It is easy to have a tailor alter sleave length, waist or hip area or shorten the hem. But it is too difficult or expensive to fix the shoulder area.
I love buying coats and jackets for my personal collection. But thats where I have the most trouble finding smaller sizes. I also have trouble finding vintage shoes or go go boots in 5 1/2 to size 6. Always see sizes 7 through 8. I was lucky last year. I was able to get some coats from the TV show "American Dreams" when it was cancelled. Nearly everything was very small sizes.
Anyone out there has anything for me in those sizes let me know. Always looking. As long as it is very late 50's to mostly 60's.
Usually the shoulder area is too big in the clothing for me. The seams do not line up properly. And it can be too wide. Almost always the sleaves are too long for my short arms. It is easy to have a tailor alter sleave length, waist or hip area or shorten the hem. But it is too difficult or expensive to fix the shoulder area.
I love buying coats and jackets for my personal collection. But thats where I have the most trouble finding smaller sizes. I also have trouble finding vintage shoes or go go boots in 5 1/2 to size 6. Always see sizes 7 through 8. I was lucky last year. I was able to get some coats from the TV show "American Dreams" when it was cancelled. Nearly everything was very small sizes.
Anyone out there has anything for me in those sizes let me know. Always looking. As long as it is very late 50's to mostly 60's.
You have come to the right place because a ton of vintage dealers here have TONS of shoes in size 5.5/6 and sometimes have a hard time finding people who will buy them based on size! I know Lizzie (fuzzylizzie) usually has tiny ones because she has tiny feet as well so naturally has radar to find them.
I have the same problem. (not with shoes, I was "blessed" ha ha and am quite ample in the foot size dept. LOL) I am 5' and I have a very small frame/narrow shoulders, tiny waist, short arms and legs, but am full figured everywhere else. So I am really not a "traditional" petite size as far as modern clothing goes, and the one pair of jeans I have found that fits me pretty well is actually not a petite size but a "short". And the jean makers keep making the waists bigger and bigger so I was shocked i found a pair! The size 0-4 ranges are starting to have 30" waists!
I have found that if I look for 70s blazers especially in petite sizes, they fit me to a T. Reason being is that the they are a narrower cut acrossed the shoulders and the arm holes are a bit higher In comparison to the bust line , so I don't look like I have all this extra material under the arms. And since the jackets are a bit more fitted, I look taller lol. I usually wear a size 10 sometimes 12 in 70s jackets.
As far as proportions 40s/50s work out pretty well for me. I have found a sizing trick...Look for the half sizes (i.e., 15, 17, etc whatever works for you and so forth as they are were made more for petites/juniors). I have found the shoulder to waist and the overall proportions much better on the whole.
I unfortunately because of my shoulders, etc, have a hard time wearing the early 60s Jackie kennedy era stuff. Everything was so much more boxey and cut too generously in the shoulders...at least on everything that I have ever tried on.
Chris
I have the same problem. (not with shoes, I was "blessed" ha ha and am quite ample in the foot size dept. LOL) I am 5' and I have a very small frame/narrow shoulders, tiny waist, short arms and legs, but am full figured everywhere else. So I am really not a "traditional" petite size as far as modern clothing goes, and the one pair of jeans I have found that fits me pretty well is actually not a petite size but a "short". And the jean makers keep making the waists bigger and bigger so I was shocked i found a pair! The size 0-4 ranges are starting to have 30" waists!
I have found that if I look for 70s blazers especially in petite sizes, they fit me to a T. Reason being is that the they are a narrower cut acrossed the shoulders and the arm holes are a bit higher In comparison to the bust line , so I don't look like I have all this extra material under the arms. And since the jackets are a bit more fitted, I look taller lol. I usually wear a size 10 sometimes 12 in 70s jackets.
As far as proportions 40s/50s work out pretty well for me. I have found a sizing trick...Look for the half sizes (i.e., 15, 17, etc whatever works for you and so forth as they are were made more for petites/juniors). I have found the shoulder to waist and the overall proportions much better on the whole.
I unfortunately because of my shoulders, etc, have a hard time wearing the early 60s Jackie kennedy era stuff. Everything was so much more boxey and cut too generously in the shoulders...at least on everything that I have ever tried on.
Chris
Chris, you sound just like me. It's funny about those early 60's jackets. I have a few and they fit me pretty well actually. Maybe I got lucky and found really small ones. I like them becuase size wise being so short.
But you know who actually makes pants that seem to fit height wise and curvy figures. Banana Republic. The Martin fit. I bought a year ago the same pant in 4 colors. But I bought the cropped style. The length is correct in cropped styles. I do not have to alter them that way. And they also had a 60's style jean with the U style pocket.
Thanks for the hint on half sizes.
But you know who actually makes pants that seem to fit height wise and curvy figures. Banana Republic. The Martin fit. I bought a year ago the same pant in 4 colors. But I bought the cropped style. The length is correct in cropped styles. I do not have to alter them that way. And they also had a 60's style jean with the U style pocket.
Thanks for the hint on half sizes.
I will have to check that out. I live in the boonies so will have to do check B Republic next time I am "out of town".
I have alot of small sizes on my website also and not alot of buyers for them yet. I have many things from the late 50's to late 70's.
I have small feet also. I wear a 6 to a 6 1/2. I also have several small shoes too. My hubby said I had too many shoes.
You are most certain to check my website out!! I would love to see some of my small stuff bought and worn. Most of my vintage clothes hasn't been worn in 25+ years and due for a wearin'......
I have small feet also. I wear a 6 to a 6 1/2. I also have several small shoes too. My hubby said I had too many shoes.
You are most certain to check my website out!! I would love to see some of my small stuff bought and worn. Most of my vintage clothes hasn't been worn in 25+ years and due for a wearin'......
www.repeatvintage.com
you can email me also if you are looking for something but don't see it on my website. I have lots of items at my grandmother's that I haven't even gotten to yet.
My goal for the year. To see the garage and floor of my granny's house!!!!
you can email me also if you are looking for something but don't see it on my website. I have lots of items at my grandmother's that I haven't even gotten to yet.
My goal for the year. To see the garage and floor of my granny's house!!!!