marshmallow mountain

Measurement of items

Clothing:
We measure all items in an unstretched state and lying flat.

Waist: measurement across the normal waistband/raised empire line and then doubled

Dress length: measurement from shoulder to hem

Skirt length: measurement from normal waistband to hem and then doubled

Hip: measured across where a normal hip would fall and then doubled

Shoulder width: measurement of fastened up item from top of one shoulder seam to the other shoulder seam

Arm length: measurement from shoulder to wrist hem

Bust: measurement of fastened up item from one armpit to the other and then doubled

Jacket length: measurement from base of neckline to the bottom hem at the back

Trousers:
Rise – where the trousers come together at the crotch to the top of the waistband Inseam – fold the trousers and measure from the top of the crotch to the hem of the leg Leg length – from the bottom of the waistband along the hip to the hemline of the leg

Sizes:
As many vintage clothes actually fit differently to today’s sizes, we use our experience to judge what the ‘modern day’ size is. We state the modern day UK size in the item heading. Where a size label is present in the garment, then we give details of it.

We photograph all our items on UK size 10 mannequins measuring;

Bust: 84 cm/33 “

Waist: 65 cm/25-26”

Hip: 88 cm/ 34 – 35”

Scarves:
We describe the scarves as "low", "mid" or "heavy" density, to give you an idea of the feel of the fabric. Please see measurements of the scarves as they vary from shawl size to neckerchiefs.

Belts:
When we take a 'waist measurement' we measure the belt from the beginning of the buckle (or where the closure begins) to the first hole and then to the last hole (or to where the closure meets its counterpart).

A belt described as having a 'waist measurement 68-76cm' would therefore fit a small waist of 68cm when tightened to the first hole or would comfortably fit a waist of 76cm when loosened to the last hole.

Shoes and Boots:
We advise that before purchasing footwear you check all the measurements against a similar shaped shoe or boot in your wardrobe to get a good comparison.

We take shoe measurements in cm as follows:

Insole: we place the tape measure in the shoe and measure from toe tip to the back of the heel rest.

Widest part of sole: we measure laterally across the widest part of the external sole.

Heel: we measure from the end of the heel tip to the base of the heel rest.

Boot shaft: we measure from the base of the heel rest along the back of the boot, to the top.

Sizes:
As many vintage shoes actually fit differently to today’s sizes, we use our experience to judge what the ‘modern day’ size is. We state the modern day size in the Item heading.