I've been very naughty this weekend, in addition to a jumble sale and a car boot sale yesterday I also squeezed in a quick trawl of the local charity shops on the way back from the council swimming baths on Friday morning. Here's what I got:
A 1960's Lime and turquoise glazed cotton shift dress for £4.20 from the British Heart Foundation and a vintage pink wool cardi for £1.95 from the local Children's Hospice shop.
Here's living proof that you should disregard any sizing labels on old clothing. I'm a UK size 8 and these vintage size 16's probably fit me better than a lot of modern stuff.
Aren't vintage clothing labels just gorgeous? Empire Made? I wonder which corner of the British Empire this cardi was made in.
This dress is pristine with the cardboard factory tag still attached to the inside seam. Short fitting? I'm just under 5 foot 5" and it looks fine to me.
A lot of people will only consider clothes with their size printed on the label. Think outside the box and try everything on.
Vix, what a gorgeous dress - can't believe it would ever fit a 41" hip, it would be straining at the seams surely?!
ReplyDeleteI have the whole gamut of sizes in my wardrobe. As you so rightly say, you never know what's going to fit - although it's fairly safe to say that if its a size 10 or under, I'm not going to get into it!
Ha ha, I'm first to comment for once.
ReplyDeleteGreat dress, love it. I'm finding vintage size 18 or so is good for me now. Confronting-yes, but we all have to face reality.
The tough thing with vintage sizing for me though is when I'm pricing my vintage clothing stock I have to write a modern equivalent size on the price tag. It's always a guesstimate, then I find people take what I've written as law, even though nowadays we all have such varying ideas about sizes.
Wow that dress is so bright and gorgeous. You're right about the size issue, i'm only 5ft and never get petite length clothes as they are all far too short on me xxxx
ReplyDeleteVery true about vintage clothing...measuring the clothes is always best rather than using the size stated as a guide as you will miss loads of opportunities otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI have had athe most awful morning at the chav central car boot...baby clothes, clothes from Primark and Tesco and books about Jordon and Jade...simply wrong x
Great finds and so true about sizing vintage or otherwise. Love the dress and cardi xx
ReplyDeleteGreat finds! Love the bright colours and the pink cardigan is double knit 100% wool for under £2 to boot!!
ReplyDeleteI have such a love/hate relationship with clothes sizes. Let’s just say I am easily offended if I fit a larger size than I would like.
ReplyDeleteBut you and Jen from A Little Bird will convince me eventually it’s often quite irrelevant, and a size label isn’t always accurate.
Such a bright and bold combination, and those labels are just lovely, I really appreciate things like this xxx
Yes! I've said this so many times - shop sizes are often meaningless! You can't even trust moden-day sizing - clothing in my wardrobe ranges from size 8 to size 22!
ReplyDeleteI've just replied to your punk comment on my blog by the way - come see! :) xx
Just pretty !
ReplyDeleteThe color of the little vest is perfect !
I love the title of your post and the thing is, it's so true even for me!
ReplyDeleteYour dress is gorgeous, I'm sure I had something very similar in my wardrobe back in the day. Blue and green is one of my favorite color mash ups. But I love how you took my fave colors and combined them with that bright pink sweater - awesomeness!
Have a great day Vix, Bonnie
It's true, there are different size scales in each store :) Such lovely purchases!
ReplyDeleteI love this dress and cardigan Vix they are gorgeous xxx
ReplyDeletewell said! it's fascinating how sizing must have changed isn't it? I always look for size 14s and 16s in vintage stuff and I'm a modern size 10!
ReplyDeleteThat dress is ace - and I like the combination of green and pink, it's poptastic!
ReplyDeleteOh! Love the colors and how you have worn it! I guess there is always an element of history and curiosity with Vintage clothing! :)
ReplyDeleteI NEVER look at labels when I'm shopping "vintage" or second hand, the sizing has changed so much and if you are comfortable in the item then sod the size.
ReplyDeleteYou really suit bright colours, I'm jealous, although you looked pretty fab in that maxi dress the other day.
xxx
Ayep, I learned a long time ago that vintage size labels are going to be bigger numbers. My mom's 1960s US 12s fit me perfectly today as a US 8. It's a function of vanity size deflation in our current clothing industry -- and also, in general, people on average were a bit shorter and smaller a few decades ago. I believe industry-wide size charts do shift with the times -- and well-nourished, more muscular people!
ReplyDeleteSo, yes, swallow your pride when looking at vintage size tags. They don't mean much today. Buy what looks great on you!
i myself falls regularly in love with clothes not meant for "women my size (or age)".. i love looking at vintage labels. i have a book full of vintage ads and posters and packages and it's so lovely to browse through its pages. it is beautifully made and thought of..
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the vintage labels and also some of the manufacturer's names are a real hoot too!
ReplyDeleteIt's true about the sizing; I've run the whole vintage size gamut from 12 to 18 and at the end of the day its about how you look and feel not what number is woven onto the label. Afterall, no one is going to see the label are they?.....well, by then they're either drunk or in the middle of the throes of passion and won't give a toss anyway!!!!
Gorgeous colours! I love how greens and pinks clash, yet compliment each other at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI don't care about sizes - it's what looks good that should matter! I know that a few of my friends wouldn't dare try on something larger than they are, because they'd hate to think they'd gone up a size! It's silly, really.
Lou x - craftyandquirky.blogspot.com
love that size-ist point. . i think alot about clothes is not about the printed size (which can be confusing anyhows) but rather it is almost intuitive in knowing what fits. plus, if they don't, they can simply be reworked, or worn oversized! that is one beautiful dress & i love the colours you used in this outfit.
ReplyDeleteYou look so bright and groovy today :)
ReplyDeleteI too wear a vintage 16/18.
Boy, those ladies would have died if they were an 8 ;)
I will try really hard not to call em Bangs ;)
Oh, Gosh, Please tell me it's not a politically duragatory (darn spell-checker) term.
I re-trimmed the fringe last night. And finally lost a precious toenail end. Don't know where it went. Probably in some thrift shop shoe. OOOhhh, yuck. I hope not :)
Good advice about sizes! I've had clothes bigger in size than I supposedly am which have fit me very well and looked great. Some clothes in my size just look strange... would be fixed by just getting a different size.
ReplyDeleteAgree with you and all the comments about sizing - I too have a whole range of sizes that fit perfectly from a generous size 12 to a skimpy size 20! I tend to either try things on now or at least up against me as I have bought so many charity shop finds by size only to find they don't fit back home. xxx
ReplyDeleteOh my word - I can't believe how much sizing has changed over the years. But even now, every shop is different, so it's essential that you try stuff on (or keep the receipt). I'm in admiration of how well you wear the brighter colours. xx
ReplyDeleteSo true,darling~ I have all sorts of sizes in my wardrobe.Depends on the brand,frequently,or the age.I just don't worry about it now-it fits or it doesn't!! I'm just stoked if I can get the booboids into it!
ReplyDeleteLoving that frock!!Yum!And pink & green is such a rockin' combo!!!
LOVE Helga xxxXXXxxx
I love these colours, gorgeous outfit! I never ever look at sizes, if it looks like it will fit then i'll try it on.... usually i'm right but I have been caught out a few times and had to be rescued! hehe!
ReplyDeleteIt is funny how much sizes have changed, it is crazy! x
Are you really 5' 5"? You always look really tall in your pictures!
ReplyDeletex
I love your cardigan and the colours in the dress <3<3
ReplyDeleteI never even look at sizes when I'm secondhand shopping. I just hold it up and if it looks about right I try it on.
x x x
Lime green and bright pink is such a fab combination!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely loving it :D
xx
purple-peeptoes.blogspot.com
Er, can I come shopping with you please? I'm terrible at finding the great vintage gems!
ReplyDeleteOlivia xx
I had this dilemma at the weekend - you just have to hold it up and guess, don't you? There was a truly beautiful size 12 tweedy skirt but it must have been the equivalent of a modern 8 because the waist was TINY! It works the other way though - I bought a vintage shirt dress in Brum last month that's a size 10 (which I'm clearly not) and the top part fits perfectly. Nowhere near fitting around the hips but that's fine cos I wanted to hack the bottom off and wear it as a shirt anyway.
ReplyDeleteJeez, I'd probably be looking at a size 26!!!! My only prob with that dress is it's too long. Would you consider taking it up a bit?
ReplyDeleteI love this, you look so preppy, Vix! Very Lilly! I agree about sizes, I swear some companies put a size 6 US label on a size 8 dress just so women feel "good" about buying it! Silly! Thanks for the info on the High Street, I feel very worldly now!
ReplyDeletenice dress!!!! u pull off bright colours so well.
ReplyDeletexoxo jenna
http://thepetiteblog.blogspot.com
I completely agree! I'm a Size 8 too, but this summer I found myself buying long vest tops and floaty dresses in size 12 because they were so much cooler and prettier on me in the hot weather!
ReplyDeleteHi my dear-totally fab finds as usual and yes, I know for vintage, that I can do sizes 12-16, for a modern day fit. have a lovely week ahead xx
ReplyDeleteDear Vix, people were so much smaller then and the sizes change in every shop now. Good finds! You look great in everything you put on xx
ReplyDeleteThat dress is gorgeous! I picked up a vintage silk top in a size 18 the other day, fits perfectly!!
ReplyDeleteSizing is a rort! I have vintage dresses that are labelled vintage size 14-16 but I'm an Aus size 8-10 and they fit me perfectly!
ReplyDeleteI don't go by sizes either... certainly modern brands are all over the place. No wonder women get confused what size they are!
LOVE this colour combination Vix!!
you look so lovely in the last photo of you under the labels. i agree, vintage sewn in labels are enough to drool over town over. you know i approve of this message. pink and green perfect in every way! can i have some leftover cheese in the back of your frig. i am still chuckling over that one.
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