Axella's Vintage Clothing: Measurements

Every item listed here at Axella's Vintage Clothing is carefully inspected for flaws, photographed, and then measured. This helps to provide our customers with the most accurate depiction of what we have to offer on our site. Please take advantage of this information by reading it carefully and checking the listed measurements. There can be a difference in the way that computer monitors depict colors and other details. Sometimes the colors picked up by a camera in studio lighting might vary slightly the colors as seen in natural light. The description will verify colors and other details about each item. If you need more information than is provided, or have a specific question about an item, please contact us. We have a question form specifically made for that purpose.

Below, you will find details about our measurement and condition rating system.

If you're not sure what your measurements are, it's worth taking the time to find out. This will aid tremendously in finding items that fit correctly. Please note that the measurements listed on this site are not body measurements. They are garment measurements and should be slightly larger than your actual measurements. This extra space, called "ease", is important because it allows you to do normal activites (such as sitting and walking) comfortably, without restriction. Ease is most important for non-stretching fabrics and items designed to be worn over other garments, such as coats and jackets. Stretchy knit fabrics will typically not require ease. One way to verify the sizing of an item is to find a garment of your own (with the same type of styling), measure it, and compare the results. Clothing is given an approximate letter size (S, M, L, etc.) as a general guide for our customers. Sizes have changed dramatically over the years, so the size tags found in vintage clothing will not correspond to today's size charts. *Please be sure to always* check the specific measurements given**. Below are the most commonly used measurements that we take for our clothing. All measurements are taken on garments laid flat:
	Measured across the garment, at underarm level, then doubled. Items made from non-stretchy fabric that don't have bust darts will typically measure about 4" larger at the bust. The absence of bust darts in this type of garment will be noted right next to the bust measurment.
	Measured straight across the garment from shoulder seam to shoulder seam, except when the garment has no shoulders seams (i.e. raglan sleeves). Then, it is the general width of the shoulders, and given as an approximate.
	Measured across the garment at the natural waistline, then doubled. Items that have elastic at the waistline will list two dimensions: the unstretched measurement, followed by the stretched measurement.
	This measurement is taken 7 - 9" below the waistline, usually at the fullest part in fitted garments, and doubled. When given as "full", it means that the style of the garment allows it to accomodate most hip measurements.
	Unless it's indicated otherwise, this measurement is taken at top of the sleeve, from the shoulder seam down to cuff. Some garments with no defined shoulder point, such as those with doman or kimono style sleeves, will have an inseam measurement, taken from the armpit down to the cuff.
	For tops, dresses and coats, this is the length of the garment. It's taken from the highest point of the shoulder (next to the neckline, before the collar starts if it has one), down to the bottom hem. For pants and skirts, it's measured from the top to the bottom hem.
	For pants and shorts, this is the measurement from the crotch down to the hem.

Vintage shoe sizes can vary, even when labeled the same. Letters that are used to specify width have changed in meaning over the years, too, and cannot really be compared to those used today. (For example, "A" was often the standard width in the 60's, whereas today it's usually "B"). To help our customers to accurately assess fit, we list several measurements with all of our footwear:
	This is taken on the inside of the shoe from the toe to the heel. The style of shoe will affect the results considerably; a pointy shoe will measure much longer than a square toe shoe of the same size. This measurement can be most helpful when compared to a shoe of your own. Again, the style will affect the results, so be sure to compare a blunt toe with a blunt toe, and so on.
	Measured from the bottom of the shoe, this is the widest part of the shoe's instep. We don't start the measurement from the edge of the sole because certain styles of shoes can have a sole that is considerably wider than the upper. Instead, we measure from the when the upper starts on one side and ends on the other.
	We measure the heel height from the back of the shoe, straight down to the end, perpendicular to the ground.
	This is usually listed for boots only. It starts at the ground and ends at the highest part of the upper.

Since vintage clothing is not new, it may have signs of wear. Each item on our site has been classified into one of the general condition categories listed below. Any specific flaws that an item might have are noted next to this general rating. Items with major wear, flaws or stains are not sold on this site.
	NOS is short for "new old stock." This refers to items that have never been worn, with their original tags still attached. Mint is an item in the same condition, but without the tags still attached
	Excellent condition means that there are no visible flaws or signs of wear.
	An item in this category might have some very minor wear, or a small flaw that does not detract from its overall look.
	We don't have many items on our site that fit into this rating. It's used to classify an item with visible wear or flaws that is still wearable.
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