Vintage Sizing

 

All Beyond Retro garments are vintage items and will often vary from the standardised clothing sizes of today. In order for you to make sure an item fits, we hand measure every single garment (yes all 30k plus items we have online!!). Please note we measure items in inches, with the item laid flat. These are the measurements you will see listed on each of our products.

More information on this can be found below, including guidance on how to make sure you are getting your own measurements right, to make sure when your garments reach you, they fit you like a charm!

 

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!

 

Why is this?

Numeric Sizing: In the past, numeric sizing often varied between brands, making it challenging to find consistent measurements. Today, brands tend to follow standardized sizing charts, but it's still advisable to consult specific size guides for accurate measurements.

Vanity Sizing: Over time, vanity sizing has become more prevalent. This practice involves labeling garments with smaller sizes than their actual measurements, appealing to customers' desire for a smaller figure. Consequently, comparing vintage sizes to contemporary ones can lead to confusion.

Body Shapes: Vintage sizing often catered to different body proportions compared to modern trends. Hourglass silhouettes were highly coveted, emphasizing smaller waistlines. Understanding your body shape and finding vintage pieces that flatter your figure is key to achieving an authentic vintage look.

Fabric and Stretch: Vintage garments were typically made with different materials, including less stretchy fabrics. This factor affected the fit and comfort of the clothing. When selecting vintage pieces, consider the fabric composition.

 

 

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, hand measured by our team.

 

Size Conversion Guide

See the below size conversion charts, make sure to check your measurements with a tape measure to ensure you 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

Measurements - How To

The Top Half
(Shirts, Blouses, Vests, Knits, Sweatshirts, T-Shirts, Coats, Jackets)

Body Measurements: (an approximation of the body garment this garment should fit)

Chest & Bust - Measured by wrapping the tape around the fullest part of your chest/bust

Garment Measurements:

Length - Measured from the collar/top of shoulder to the hem of the garment

Sleeve Length - Measured from shoulder to cuff.

Shoulder - Measured from the shoulder seam to seam

Dresses

Body Measurements:

Bust: Wrap a measuring tape around the fullest part of your bust, ensuring the tape is parallel to the floor.

Waist: Measure around the narrowest part of your waist, typically above your belly button and below your ribcage.

Hips: Measure around the fullest part of your hips, usually 7-9 inches below your waist.

Garment Measurements:

Waist: We measure the narrowest part of the dress, and then double, typically at the waistline.

Hips: Our dresses are measured at the widest part, and then doubled, usually around the hip area.

Length: We measure from the highest point of the shoulder down to the hemline

Jumpsuits & Playsuits

Body Measurements:

Bust: Wrap a measuring tape around the fullest part of your bust, ensuring the tape is parallel to the floor.

Waist: Measure around the narrowest part of your waist, typically above your belly button and below your ribcage.

Hips: Measure around the fullest part of your hips, usually 7-9 inches below your waist.

Garment Measurements:

Waist: We measure the narrowest part of the dress, and then double, typically at the waistline.

Hips: Our dresses are measured at the widest part, and then doubled, usually around the hip area.

Length: We measure from the highest point of the shoulder down to the hemline

Bodice: Measured from the top of the strap (or the highest point for strapless styles) down to the crotch, representing the length of the bodice of the garment. This measurement will ensure the length in body from the crotch is not too short!

The Bottom Half
Trousers, Shorts & Jeans

Garment Measurements:

Waist: Our jeans are measured across the waistband when laid flat. This measurement represents the waist size of the jeans.

Inseam (Leg Length): We measure the length of the inside leg seam, from the crotch down to the bottom of the leg. This measurement represents the inseam length of the jeans.

 

Skirts

Garment Measurements:

Waist: We measure the narrowest part of the skirt, typically at the waistline. This measurement is then doubled.

Length: We measure from the highest point of the waistband or waistline down to the hemline of the skirt.

 

Lingerie

Body Measurements:

Bust: Wrap a measuring tape around the fullest part of your bust. This measurement determines your bust size for lingerie.

Garment Measurements:

Length: We measure from the highest point of the garment (excluding straps) down to the hem.

Hips: We measure the widest part of the hips and then double that measurement.

Belts

Clasp Belts: Measured from clasp to clasp

Tie Belts: Measured tail to tail

Buckle Belts: Measured from buckle to middle hole

Belts with no Buckle: Measured from buckle to the furthest point the belt can comfortably do up

 

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 garments instead of machine washing and drying. Consider airing them to remove odors if the fabric is delicate.

- Wash vintage clothes less frequently to preserve their condition. Opt for washing machine-friendly items at a lower temperature (30 degrees) to extend their lifespan and be more eco-friendly.

- Avoid washing embroidered silks or satins altogether.

- When dry cleaning vintage items, choose a reputable cleaner you trust and establish a relationship with them.

- If you prefer to dry clean at home, consider using dry cleaner cloths designed for home use in your own dryer. Each cloth can clean up to six items.

- Give vintage clothing a break between wears. Avoid wearing the same item two days in a row to allow it to breathe and recover.

- Store vintage garments in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent fading and deterioration.

- Use padded or wooden hangers instead of wire hangers to prevent stretching and distortion.

- Handle vintage garments with clean hands to avoid transferring oils, dirt, and sweat that can stain or damage delicate fabrics.

- Follow care instructions on the garment's label when washing, or hand wash gently with mild detergent if instructions are unavailable.

- Avoid bleach and harsh chemicals when cleaning vintage garments to prevent fiber weakening and discoloration.

- Dry vintage garments flat or hang them to air dry, avoiding direct heat sources that can cause shrinkage or fading.

- When in doubt about caring for a specific vintage garment, consult a professional vintage clothing expert for tailored advice.

 

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.