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Free Delivery on all UK orders over £50*

Free for a limited time only Economy Courier Delivery in the UK on orders over £50.00. Please select the Free Option at the checkout to take advantage of this. Orders placed Friday to Monday will be dispatched on Tuesday. Click here to find out more.

International Delivery Available

Orders to all 27 European Union member states will be shipped by Royal Mail Airsure or by DPD Courier, prices vary by country and weight of the order. Orders shipped to non EU destinations will be dispatched via Royal Mail Airsure, prices vary by weight of the order and are limited to 2kg. Pricing is available in the Shopping Bag or at Checkout. Click here to find out more.

Free Returns on all UK orders

We want you to be 100% delighted with your purchase. You can return items up to 14 days from the day your order is delivered. Please follow the instructions on the return form included in your package and return your items. Click here to find out more.

Beyond Retro Vintage Clothing Size Guide

 

Beyond Retro garments are vintage items (unless stated) and can vary from the standardised clothing sizes of today. Our garment measurements are taken in inches with the item laid flat to make sure that when they reach you, they fit you like a charm!

As it is essential that you know your measurements, please see below our top tips for getting your particulars right. If you need a measuring tape, we have also provided you with one. Click here to download a printable tape measure.

01. Sizing Tips
02. Size Guideline
02. The Top Half - Shirts / Blouses / Vests / Knits / Sweatshirts / Jackets / Coats / T-shirts
03. Dresses
04. Jumpsuits / Playsuits
05. Skirts
06. The Bottom Half- Trousers/Jeans/Shorts
07. Lingerie
08. Bags
09. Belts
10. Headwear
11. Beyond Retro Vintage Care Tips 

Sizing Tips

Standardised measurements of clothing have altered over the years. Please do not be put off by the sizing label on vintage garments; this will most likely be completely different to today's sizing and could be the perfect fit!

We use two different types of measurements:

Body measurements (Chest and Bust): These are an approximation of the body measurement that the garment should fit. For example: if you have a 40" chest you should look for garments that have a 40" chest (or larger if you require a looser fit).

We suggest you measure yourself to find out your size. Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest/bust. This is usually just under the arm pit.

Garment Measurements: These are the actual measurement of the garment.

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Size Guideline

These are only an estimate to what size you might be, please check your measurements with a tape measure as described on the page to get the correct sizing.

Beyond Retro Women's Size Guideline
UK 6 8-10 12-14 16-18 20
  INCHES CM INCHES CM INCHES CM INCHES CM INCHES CM
BUST 31 78 32-34 81-86 36-38 91-98 40-43 101-108 45 116
WAIST 23 60.5 24-26 63-68 28-30 73-78 32-35 83-90 38 98
HIPS 33 86 34-36 88-93 38-40 98-103 42-45 108-116 48 123
Beyond Retro Men's Size Guideline
  XS  S M L XL
  INCHES CM INCHES CM INCHES CM INCHES CM INCHES CM
CHEST 34-36 86-91 36-38 91-96 38-40 96-101 40-42 101-106 42-44 106-111
NECK 14.5 37 15 38 16 41 17 43 17.5 44

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The Top Half - Shirts / Blouses / Vests / Knits / Sweatshirts / Jackets / Coats / T-shirts 

Body Measurements: These are an approximation of the body measurement that the garment should fit.

  • Chest and Bust - Measured by wrapping the tape around the fullest part of your Chest/Bust. 

Garment Measurements: These are the actual measurement of the garment.

  • Length - Measured from collar or top of shoulder to the hem of the garment.
  • Sleeve Length - Measured from shoulder to cuff.
  • Shoulder - Measurement taken from shoulder seam to shoulder seam.
 Vintage Size Guide Shirts

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Dresses 

Body Measurements: These are an approximation of the body measurement that the garment should fit.

  • Bust - Measured by wrapping the tape around the fullest part of your Bust. 

Garment Measurements: These are the actual measurement of the garment.

  • Waist - Measured from the narrowest part of the waist, and then double this measurement for correct sizing.
  • Hips - Measured the fullest part of the hips, and then double this measurement for correct sizing.
  • Length - Measured from the highest point of the garment to the hem.
 How to measure vintage dresses
 

Jumpsuits / Playsuits

Body Measurements: These are an approximation of the body measurement that the garment should fit.

Chest and Bust - Measured by wrapping the tape around the fullest part of your Chest/Bust

Garment Measurements: These are the actual measurement of the garment.

  • Waist - Measured from the narrowest part of the waist, and then double this measurement for correct sizing.
  • Hips - Measured the fullest part of the hips, and then double this measurement for correct sizing.
  • Length - Measured from the highest point of the garment to the hem.
  • Bodice (this measurement will ensure the length in body from the crotch is not too short!) - Measure from the top of strap (if strapless, measure from highest point) to crotch gaining body length measurement.
 How to Measure Vintage Playsuits and Jumpsuits
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Skirts

Garment Measurements: These are the actual measurement of the garment.

  • Waist - Measured from one side of the waist band to the other, and then double this measurement for correct sizing.
  • Length - Measured from the top of the waist band to the hem.
 How to measure vintage skirts

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The Bottom Half - Trousers / Jeans / Shorts

Garment Measurements: These are the actual measurement of the garment.

  • Waist - Measured from one side of the waist band to the other, and then double this measurement for correct sizing. Elasticated waist measurements are given with the waist stretched in proportion to the garment.
  • Leg Length - Measured from the top of the inside leg to the hem.
 How to Measure Vintage Trousers, Jeans and Shorts

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Lingerie

Body Measurements: These are an approximation of the body measurement that the garment should fit.

  • Bust - Measured by wrapping the tape around the fullest part of your Bust. 

Garment Measurements: These are the actual measurement of the garment.

  • Length - Measured from the highest point of garment (not including straps) to the hem.
  • Hips - Measured from the widest part of the hips, then doubled.
 How to Measure Vintage Lingerie

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Bags

Garment Measurements: These are the actual measurement of the garment.
  • Width - Measured the side of the bag seam to seam.
  • Height - Measured from the highest point of the bag to the base (not including the strap).
  • Strap Height - This is half the length of the entire strap, from the clasp to the highest point of the strap. Double this measurement to get the full strap length.
 Hot to Measure Vintage Bags, Handbags, backpacks and purses

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Belts

  • Tie Belts - Measured from tail to tail.
 How to measure vintage tie belts
  • Buckle Belts - Measured from the point of the buckle to the middle hole.
 How to measure vintage buckle belts
  • Clasp Belts - Measured from clasp to clasp.
 How to measure vintage clasp belts
  • Belts with no buckle whole - Measured from buckle to the furthest point the belt can comfortably do up.
 How to measure vintage no holes buckle belts

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Headwear

  • Hat Circumference - This is the measurement taken inside the hat for fit.
  • Height - Taken from the base of the hat to the highest point.
 How to measure vintage headwear, hats, turbans

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Beyond Retro Vintage Care Tips

Washing clothes is a controversial subject in vintage. People endlessly debate the merits and dangers of washing vs. dry cleaning, however, here are our tips:

  • Always hand wash pre 1960s vintage, rather than machine washing and drying it. If you are really concerned, as the fabric is very old or delicate, consider not washing it at all: a good airing can often work just as well for removing odour without damaging the garment. This is what Issey Miyake does and if it's good enough for him; it's good enough for us!
  • To keep your precious clothes in good condition, wash them less. Repeated, vigorous washing can damage the fibres of vintage clothes (and new clothes too). Washing (machine-washable) clothes at 30 instead of 60 degrees will also prolong their life, and is much more eco-friendly too.
  • Never wash embroidered silks or satins, ever!
  • If you want to dry clean specialty vintage items that are durable enough for it, then use a reputable dry cleaner that you can build up a relationship of trust with. There's nothing more stressful than leaving your special finds in the hands of strangers. It's good to use someone that you trust to know what's best for your clothes and will take as much care of them as you would.
  • If you're unsure, you can get dry cleaner cloths for home use, in your own dryer. You can clean up to six items with one cloth.
  • With all vintage clothing and shoes, try not to wear the item two days in a row without airing it. This will give it time to breathe and will restore it for the next wear.

For more information on our tips for vintage care, please click here to go to the Vintage Care section.

We hope this information has been helpful to you and we hope you enjoy the online Beyond Retro shopping experience. Please come and visit us in store for many more exciting vintage items.

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