20th Century Finds

Expand Your Vintage Style With Us!

Vintage Handbag Care

Vintage Jewelry Care

Buying & Caring For Vintage Clothing

YOU MUST TAKE YOUR CURRENT MEASUREMENTS

• DO NOT RELY UPON SIZE NUMBERS. Numbered sizes of today are not the same as the numbered sizes of 20 to 60 years ago. Sizing charts have changed. A Size 16 from the 1940s may fit a woman who is a Size 8 today.
• In the mid-20th Century clothing was more often custom made or fitted to the individual than today. You can take a vintage garment you purchase and have it custom fit to your body by a local tailor as well.
• Use a tailoring measuring tape that is suitable for body measurements. Most supermarkets and drugstores carry them. Do not use a hardware metal measuring tape as you will not get an accurate measurement.
• Measuring a comparable garment in your collection that fits you well and comparing it to the listing helps. Here, a hardware measuring tape can work if you do not have a tailoring one.
• Sizes stated in my listings are approximate even if printed on a label as items may have shrunk over the years and due to launderingG.

MEASUREMENTS IN OUR LISTINGS

• Measurements are of the item for sale, not of you--my dear customer and buyer. You should be smaller than the measurements of the item.
• All measurements are approximate (inches).
• Measurements are taken when the garment is laid flat on a table, unless otherwise noted in the sales listing. Sometimes it is difficult to find the flat measurements because of an unusual cut such as a stretchy knit or a dress with darts at the bust line. I attempt to explain those measurements. (E.g. 34 in. Chest, flat measurement, room for stretch--two more inches, OR 36 in. Chest, curve measured.).
• We use a tailoring measuring tape for all items. It is made of fabric sealed with a poly coat so that the tape does not stretch out.

ABOUT VINTAGE CLOTHING

• Vintage clothing has been worn and is not in perfect condition no matter how pristine.
• Buying used and vintage clothing requires you to be a pro-active buyer and customer.
• Buying vintage usually means that at some point you will have to reinforce buttons or seams after you wear or launder the item even though we described the item as in excellent condition. Remember, these items are older and the threading, seams and buttons may come undone after purchase.
• We describe all garments and accessories to the best of our abilities.
• We may notice conditions you do not see as an issue, and you may notice conditions that we do not notice or see as an issue. So far we have not had this problem with any of our customers. We provide several pictures that you can enlarge to see the condition of the item and fabric.
• Buying and wearing vintage can be a learning process. Sometimes the garment will not fit even though your measurements are less than the garment measurements. Usually it has to do with the cut of the garment. Find out what cuts and styles work for you and your body shape.

CLOTHING GRADING

• MINT: Either it was never worn or if item was worn, no flaws or imperfections are detected. Looks/appears to be new/unworn.
• EXCELLENT: Gently worn by someone. Unlikely to have flaws or imperfections, but if any, they are very minor and will be noted. They do not detract from wear. Only type of repair needed would be reinforcing a button, hemline or seam, or cleaning. Any flaws or needed minor repair will be noted in the description.
• VERY GOOD: Minor flaws and imperfections that are easily repairable. Any flaws or minor repair will be noted in the description.
• GOOD: Some noticeable flaw(s)/imperfection(s) before inspection. Any will be noted in the description. Wearable after repair.

OUR GUIDE TO GARMENT MEASUREMENTS

For Women and Men

• Shoulders: Measurement across top of shoulders blades, between the shoulder/sleeve seams of the garment.
• Chest: Measurement around fullest part of chest/bust line to middle of each underarm.
• With the garment, this is the point under arm, middle of base of arm pit seam, across fullest part of bustline/chest to other, middle of base, arm pit seam.
• Back: Measurement around fullest part of garment at back. With the garment, this is the point under each arm, middle of base of arm pit seam, across the back to other, middle of base, arm pit seam.
• Chest, full around: Circumference of your body measured starting point around fullest part of chest, horizontally level around your body, under arm pits.
It is the chest and back measurements added together.
• Waist: Measurement around natural waist. For pants, this is the measurement of the waist band of the garment.
• Hips: Measurements around hips, which is normally 6 to 7 inches below natural waist line.
• Fullest Hips: Measurement around fullest part of hips and buttocks.
• Length: Measurement from base of collar at neck (or top of pant/skirt) to bottom hemline of garment.
• Skirt length: Measurement from waist line to bottom hem.
• Inseam Sleeves: Measurement of sleeve length from inseam of sleeve at arm pit to cuff.
• Sleeve: Measurement of sleeve length from top of sleeve to cuff (opposite of inseam).
• Inseam (pants): Measurement from middle seam of crotch to bottom hemline inside pant leg (but not inside garment).

20th Century Finds

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