So you've found something delightful in the shop and are curious about how it might fit you?
When it comes to the wonderful world of online shopping, sizing guides can be a helpful tool when you can't try on something in person. However, we've noticed that these guides (which you'd think would be consistent) can vary greatly across brands, styles, designers, and even regions. You've probably noticed it too, if your closet is a mixed bag of sizes depending on the garment or the brand.
That's why we like to hand measure everything that passes through our doors!
After all, it's really about how the garment feels, not how it's labeled.
How to Take Measurements - AV Style
1. First, we hang our garments up on our measuring rack and take their measurements flat. For round parts of the body (think bust, waist, hip) we then double them. Example: if we stretch the measuring tape across the bust of this dress and it measures 19", we will write 38" in the dress's description.
This dress also has a 34" waist and 40" hip. For length measurements (think bodice, shoulder, leg) we keep the numbers as is. This dress is 46" in length.
2. Then, to show how a body fills out the garment, we take photos of all of our clothing on one of our vintage mannequins. This mannequin is a size 4-6.
3. Sometimes, we even show them on a real person too! We will always try to include the model's measurements for reference on how it may fit you. For instance, Devon pictured here is 5'5" tall, with a 36" bust, 28" waist, 36" hip. Additionally, we try to regularly model items in our 'Try On' Videos on our instagram page.
As a rule, we only ever stretch the garment to its widest (but still relaxed point), and never past, to ensure a most accurate and comfortable fit. In a case of elastic, we stretch a garment's elastic waist only to the point we would think it actually comfortable, and not its forced maximum.
Measurements Matter - Forget the Size
Vintage enthusiasts will know this, but it applies to modern clothing too: knowing your own measurements off the top of your head is absolutely vital to streamline the online shopping experience and ensure best results. This is particularly true nowadays when so many modern manufacturers employ "vanity sizing" over sticking to universal sizing standards. I'm sure we've all experienced the emotional turmoil of trying on pieces that should technically fit based on their labeled size and just don't. That frustration can be avoided by bringing a handy measuring tape (the self-rolling ones are so convenient!) with you in your purse or tied around your neck like a pro.
Soft Vs. Hard Measurements
We all have our limits. It's just good to know about them!
Let's say Devon is a soft 34" waist, for example, means that you might have some squish room, i.e. you're soft around the edges and know you can squeeze into a 32" for the right garment. But if you're a hard 34", then you won't be browsing skirts that are smaller. Same goes for bust, hip, anywhere that is somewhat flexible due to the nature of your shape and body type. Besides, a number is just that--a number, and nothing more, nothing indicative of the amazing, shining person that you are.
Top 3 Measurements to Remember When Shopping
Now, admittedly, there are a lot of measurements to store up there in your noggin, but if you memorize any, let it be these three: Bust, Waist, Hip. Knowing these three measurements will get you far when looking for blouses, dresses, skirts, and most trousers.
Of course, since nothing's easy, even knowing your measurements is no guarantee to whether a garment will fit perfectly or not. Maybe you like elastic waistbands, but maybe they have to be thick. Maybe you only choose fabrics with zero stretch, but never velvet since it drapes too bulky on your frame. When it comes to shopping, it pays to be picky. Since, if you're like us, it's not about filling up your closet just to have a lot of things, but having a curated selection of items that each individually make you feel special, beautiful, and timelessly feminine.
Other Measurements You'll Find In Our Product Descriptions
Top
Bust: the widest part of the garment's bust, or armpit to armpit.
Bodice: the distance from the top of the garment's seam to the seam that separates the bust from the torso or the rest of the piece. Note, adjustable straps are usually not included in this measurement and will be noted separately.
Waist: either the seam that separates the bodice from the torso of a garment or, if there is no seam, the smallest point in the middle of the torso.
Hip: the widest point between the navel and the thigh
Shoulder: applicable if there are shoulder seams at the top of a garment's bodice (as in a short sleeve top or a cardigan). This measurement is the length from seam to seam.
Sleeve: the distance from shoulder seam to the bottom hem of the sleeve.
Bottom
Leg: the length from the top of the trousers (whether it's high waist or low rise) to the bottom hem. Or, in the case or pantsuits and rompers, the length from the waist's seam to the bottom hem of the garment.
Waist: the smallest point of the torso, usually the top hem of trousers or shorts. Or, in the case or rompers and jumpsuits, the seam that separates the bodice from the lower half of the body.
Inseam: the length from the center of the crotch in a pair of trousers (usually the point where seams intersect between the legs) to the bottom hem of the leg.
Rise: the length from the waist band or waist seam (as in jumpsuits) to the intersection of seams between the garment's legs.
Hip: the widest point between the naval and the thigh
Thank you for subscribing to Adored Vintage! Your 10% OFF Code is on it's way to your inbox!
What's New
At Adored Vintage we curate timeless and feminine vintage inspired clothing from many independent brands and makers therefore sizing can vary from each maker. To help make your shopping experience easier at Adored Vintage, we provide measurements of every size available.
Common Measurements We Take
Length: Measured from top of garment to hem
Waist: Measured across waistline then doubled
Chest: Measured armpit to armpit, in some cases doubled. For sweaters and loose fitting knits we will put "across chest (relaxed)"
Bodice (Dresses): Measured from top of garment to waist seam
Shoulders: Shoulder seam to shoulder seam
Sleeves: Shoulder seam to hem of sleeve
Hips: Measured approx 7" down from natural waistline, measured across, then doubled
How We Measure
Our garments are measured laid flat and relaxed and we may make recommendations for sizing with notes like "best for" or "best up to". We recommend comparing these measurements to a garment you already own. To do this, lay your garment on a flat surface and measure your garment with a clothing tape measure and take the necessary measurements.
On occasion we may recommend to size up or size down on certain garments. Remember, just because you are one size in one store or brand does not mean you will be the same size across the board. Pay close attention to the measurements given.
DOMESTIC RETURNS (U.S)
We offer easy returns for items in new, unworn, unaltered, unwashed condition within 7 calendar days of the delivery date of your order. You will have the following options for your return:
A) Return your product(s) for store credit. Receive the full cost of the product(s) as store credit for future use minus pre-paid return shipping label fee. B) Return your products(s) for a refund to original payment method minus a 10% processing fee and pre-paid return shipping label fee.
Once you have decided, a prepaid shipping label will be issued (for domestic returns).
PLEASE NOTE: after order delivery, you have 7 calendar days torequest a return, once approved you then have another 7 calendar days to ship the return back to us. Returns must be postmarked within 7 days of return request approval, otherwise a late fee may apply.
INTERNATIONAL RETURNS
International returns are processed the same as domestic returns but please note that all return shipping fees are the responsibility of the buyer. We are not able to provide a prepaid return shipping label as our carrier is the USPS and is not available outside of the United States.
STORE CREDIT & REFUNDS
Once we receive and process your return (please allow 4-6 business days), we will issue you your store credit / refund.
Store credit never expires and is connected to your Adored Vintage customer account, however please note that codes are automatically disabled a year after creation. If your code is disabled, please contact service@adoredvintage.com and we will manually reactivate it.
If you make multiple returns, your store credit will always be applied to your account and act as a "store credit bank." If you have available store credit in your account, it will automatically apply to your shopping cart but you can choose to not use it at checkout if you want to "save up" your store credit.
Unfortunately, you cannot use your store credit code and a promotional discount code at the same time. This is a Shopify platform policy that we do not have a work around for.
Refunds will be issued to the original payment method(s) used at checkout. Please note that if you used a combination of payment methods (e.g. credit card and store credit) the refund will be issued to each method respectively.
RETURN FEES
Returns that used store credit as payment are subject to a 10% processing fee on the new store credit issued. Refund returns are also subject to this 10% processing fee. This helps our small business recover some of the fees that we incur for the initial return and the second return using the store credit.
Returns postmarked past 7 calendar days after the return request is approved are subject to a 10% late fee.
FEE TRANSPARENCY
When we make a sale, Shopify, Paypal, Amazon, Google Pay, & Shopay charge us fees for the sale (anywhere from 2.6% to 6%) plus an additional flat charge for each sale. We are also charged conversion fees (up to 2%) and a tax processing fee (up to 2%). If you use Paypal/Amazon/Google to checkout, the fees stack as Shopify charges us a fee for using their platform, and whatever payment option you choose also charges us a payment processing fee.
Last year our customers requested we offer refunds instead of just store credit (prior to September 2022, we did not offer refunds). As a small business, we were already eating so much in fees and offering refunds would not be sustainable for us, so we polled our customers on Instagram asking if a 10% processing fee would be fair to help alleviate some of the costs for us and our customers voted that it would be fair.
FINAL SALE
Products purchased during a storewide sale, noted as final sale in the product description, or purchased in our Sale section or As-Is Charity Sale are all considered Final Sale and are not eligible for a return.
ITEMS THAT CANNOT BE RETURNED
All accessories (bags, belts, jewelry, socks, etc - the exception is shoes), intimates (garments in our "Intimates" department such as bralettes, robes, sleepwear, etc), bodysuits, leotards, apothecary, sundries, and consumable items that expire cannot be returned.
Shoes are returnable for store credit only. Please be mindful of trying on shoes in a carpeted area. Shoes returned showing signs of wear will incur a 50% restock fee.
DEFECTIVE ITEMS
We carefully inspect each product before we sell it in our shop to ensure quality. In the off chance you receive a damaged/defective item, we ask you provide photos in our return portal.
Normal wear and tear is considered "damage" and not defective, including but not limited to trying on garments that are too small therefore damaging/straining garment seams, stains from makeup, and torn seams/rips from trying on will not be accepted as they cannot be resold. Our garments go through a rigorous inspection when we receive them from our vendors (we check every single piece for flaws!)
Items that are sent back to us in damaged condition or have clearly been worn are subject to a minimum 50% restock fee and will be at our sole discretion.
ORDER CANCELLATION
We do not accept order cancellations so please shop responsibly. In certain special cases (if accidentally purchased the wrong size) we can swap out a size for you or color if you notify us before your order is fulfilled and if we have stock on hand.
LOST SHIPMENT
All of our packages are shipped with tracking. If you suspect your package is lost, missing, or possibly stolen please contact the carrier.
Once a parcel leaves our hands, we have as much information regarding its whereabouts as you. In the case of a lost, missing, or stolen parcel, you as the receiver have a better chance of locating a lost package by contacting the carrier directly, who may then reach out to the delivery driver on your route.
UNAPPROVED RETURNS
When your return is approved, we issue a pre-paid shipping label for the item(s) to be returned (for domestic returns). Your shipping label is calculated only for the weight of your item(s) being returned. If you attempt to return additional items from another order using the issued shipping label, there is a high possibility your package will get rejected by USPS and rerouted back to you. In this case you will be unable to request the return again and the sale is then considered final.
GIFT CARDS
Gift cards cannot be cancelled or refunded.
If you are having any issues using our return portal, please contact us at service@adoredvintage.com
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.