Vintage sizing

The sizing of clothes has changed a lot over the decades, so much so that the clothing labels you find in vintage clothing (if you can find one) often bear no resemblance to modern day sizes.

Usually you can expect to be at least a couple of sizes larger in vintage clothing.

That is why, for each of our garments, we provide a lot of measurements so you can work out whether something will fit you.

See the Vintage Fashion Guild clothing measurement chart for tips on taking measurements.

How we size garments

All measurements are taken with the garment lying flat. Please bear in mind when comparing with your own measurements whether you want the garment to be tight/fitted or worn loose. We advise looking at clothes you already own and fit you for comparison.

We give indicative sizes in the title and description of a product listing.

These are estimated modern UK sizes based on the measurements below, so may be different to what is written on the label (vintage size).

UK size EU size US size Bust
(inches)
Bust
(cm)
Waist
(inches)
Waist
(cm)
Hips
(inches)
Hips
(cm)
XS 4-6 32-34 2-4 31-32 78-80.5 24-25 60-62.5 33-34 83.5-86
S 8-10 36-38 6-8 33-35 83-88 26-28 65-70 35-37 88.5-93.5
M 12-14 40-42 10-12 37-39 93-98 30-31 75-80 39-41 98.5-103.5
L 16-18 44-46 14-16 41-44 103-110.5 33-36 85-92.5 43-46 108.5-116
XL 20-22 48-50 18-20 46-48 116-123 39-41 98-105 49-51 123.5-130.5

Petite clothing

Any clothing labelled petite is cut for people whose height is under 5’3” / 160cm.