Check measurements · Not just tag size
Vintage and older sizing often runs differently from modern sizing. A size Medium from the 1980s, a women's size 10 from the 1970s, and a size Medium bought last year can fit very differently. The most reliable way to check fit is to measure a similar piece you already own, lay it flat, and compare it with the measurements in the listing.
Jump to: How to compare · Tops and outerwear · Bottoms · Footwear · Kids' sizes
How to compare
- Pick a piece from your closet that fits the way you want this one to fit.
- Lay it flat on a table, buttoned or zipped, and smooth out wrinkles without stretching it.
- Measure it in inches the same way we do (below).
- Compare your numbers with the listing. An inch or so of difference is normal; much more than that and the fit will feel different.
All of our measurements are taken flat. Chest and waist are measured straight across one side, so a flat measurement of 20 inches means roughly 40 inches around.
Tops and outerwear
- Pit to pit: straight across the chest, one armpit seam to the other, laid flat. This is the single most useful number for tops and jackets.
- Length: from the highest point of the shoulder (or collar seam) down to the bottom hem.
- Sleeve: from the shoulder seam to the end of the cuff.
- Shoulder: straight across the back, shoulder seam to shoulder seam.
For outerwear, compare against a jacket rather than a shirt. Jackets are cut with room for layers, so a jacket and a T-shirt with the same tag size will measure very differently.
Bottoms
- Waist: straight across the waistband, laid flat, then doubled.
- Rise: from the crotch seam to the top of the waistband.
- Inseam: from the crotch seam to the bottom of the leg.
- Leg opening: straight across the bottom hem, laid flat.
Women's numbered sizes have shifted over the decades, so an older size 10 is often cut smaller than a modern size 10. Men's pants tagged as waist by inseam, such as 31x29, are usually closer to their tag, but older pieces can still differ from the label. On high-waisted vintage, the rise matters as much as the waist: a longer rise sits at the natural waist, a shorter one sits lower on the hip.
Footwear
- Size and width: taken from the size label inside the shoe or on the original box when available. Width letters such as D, EEE, or B matter, especially on heritage American leather.
- Outsole length and width: heel to toe and across the widest part of the sole, measured on the bottom of the shoe.
Width letters
In US sizing, D is the standard width for men and B is the standard width for women. Letters further along the alphabet are wider (E, 2E or EE, 3E or EEE), and letters earlier in the alphabet are narrower. A men's 11 D and a men's 11 2E are the same length but fit differently across the ball of the foot.
Men's and women's sizes
As a rough rule, a women's US size is about 1.5 sizes larger than the equivalent men's size, so a men's 8 is close to a women's 9.5. Brands vary, so the outsole measurement and your usual size in that brand are the best guides.
Comparing outsoles
To compare an outsole measurement, flip over a pair you own that fits well and measure the bottom heel to toe. Boots and dress shoes with a longer toe shape will measure longer than sneakers in the same size, so compare like with like when you can.
Kids' sizes
Kids' shoe sizes use a C (child) or Y (youth) after the number. C sizes run up through 13.5C, and the next size up is 1Y, which is why a 1Y is bigger than a 13C. Y sizes continue up to about 7Y, which is close to the smallest adult sizes. Kids' apparel from older eras can also run smaller than today's sizing, so measurements help there too.
Need a measurement?
Measurements are taken by hand and can vary slightly. If you need a measurement that is not in the listing, email info@take2supply.com and we will measure it before you buy. See Our Standard & Condition Guide for how we grade condition.
