At Woo Vintage, we size all clothing by measuring the items in inches while laying flat. All garments are accurately measured. We do not give the sizes that are listed in the label as vintage sizing was smaller. Even today, there doesn´t seem to be an industry standard. It is important that you know your measurements or the measurements of one of your garments that fits you well. If you are using your body measurements, remember to allow a couple of inches for ease of movement.

Determining Your Size and How To Measure For Proper Fit

To get accurate body measurements, use a cloth tape measure, keeping the tape taut, but not stretched. Get a friend to help, if possible, measuring your body over your undergarments while standing erect, without shoes.

Neck:
Take a shirt with a collar that fits you well. Lay collar flat and measure from center of collar button to far end of buttonhole. Number of inches = size. Or, measure around middle of neck. Tape should be snug, not tight.

Bust or chest:
Measure around fullest part of chest, keeping tape up under arms and around shoulder blades. Or, lay garment flat; measure from 2" below underarm to other underarm. Double.

Waist:
Measure around waist, over shirt (not over slacks) at the height you normally wear your slacks. Keep one finger between tape and body. Number of inches = size. Or, lay garment flat, measure across waistband. Double.

Hips:
Measure around the fullest part of your hips which is usually between 7 and 9 inches below you waist. Keep one finger between tape and body. Number of inches = size. Or, lay garment flat, measure across hips. Double.

Sleeve:
Sleeve measurements are taken on the outside, from shoulder seam, or natural shoulder if there is no seam, to wrist.

Shoulder to shoulder:
Measure across the back from shoulder seam to shoulder seam, or where shoulder seams would be if measuring your body.

Pant length:
pants are measured on the inseam, from crotch to hem.

Garment length:
Dresses and tops, coats etc. are measured down the centre of the back from the nape of the neck(where you can feel the bone) or from the natural shoulder lf the item doesn´t cover the nape of the neck to the hem. Skirts and shorts are measured from the waist to the hem.

If you are using a garment to get your sizing, remember to take those measurements and double them. For example If the bust measures 18" across with your tape measure, double that and you get 36" for your correct bust measurement. Of course lengths such as sleeves and dress lengths are not doubled. Only bust, waist and hip measurements are doubled. Write down your measurements and save them to find clothes that will fit you to a tee.