Since you can’t physically try on garments when shopping online for vintage and secondhand clothes, knowing your body measurements is important for several reasons to ensure that purchased items match your expectations:
1. Sizing Inconsistencies: Different brands have their own sizing standards. Your size in one brand might not be the same as in another. Also, sizes can vary across different eras. In general, vintage sizing often runs smaller than modern sizing, so knowing your measurements will help you determine if a specific item will fit you how you want.
Chances are that online vintage and secondhand stores will not provide a general size chart but rather flat measurements for each piece. Flat measurements are taken of garments laying flat, so you would need to double them to accurately compare them to your own body measurements. Below are some of the most common measurements you will find in listings.
2. Wash Wear: Secondhand and vintage clothing has seen its share of washing and wearing, and with that, sometimes shrinking or even stretching occurs. Knowing your measurements is crucial for determining whether a piece will fit.
3. Alteration Possibilities: If you're passionate about vintage fashion, you might be willing to invest in alterations for a unique piece. Accurate measurements can help you assess whether an item is worth the additional cost of tailoring. On the other hand, sometimes vintage pieces were either custom made or tailored for a specific individual, so knowing your measurements is imperative to finding the one-of-a-kind gem of your dreams.
4. Return Policies: Many vintage and secondhand online stores have strict return policies which often do not allow items to be returned based on fit issues. Accurate measurements reduce the risk of costly mistakes.
When you know that an item will fit you well, you can shop with confidence, knowing that you're making a wise investment in your wardrobe.
Happy shopping!