Did you know that today's current sizes for knitted/crocheted garments differ greatly from sizes of past decades? 

Today I'm going to tell you how to measure properly to determine what VINTAGE size you wear. Knowing your VINTAGE size will help you choose correctly when crocheting/knitting vintage fashions for yourself or others.

Although there were specific sizes in the past, they ran much smaller than today's standards. If you are a size 10 now, you would've worn a number of sizes larger in vintage terms. So when choosing vintage patterns to knit or crochet, be sure to use your actual body measurements and *not* the size number on the tag you're currently wearing.

To begin, you need to determine your accurate measurements -- instructions are below. Once you know your measurements, you can then choose a size based on the data charts I have compiled for you. Note that measurements should be taken with undergarments on. Here we go!

Women’s and Misses’ Sizes

Bust — Measure largest part, keep tape a little higher in back.
Waist — Measure natural waistline.
Hip — Measure 7 inches below waistline.
Arm Length — Measure underarm to wrist.

Children’s Sizes

Size Number — Size number is used instead of age for children because a better fitting is obtained if the size is determined by a combination of height and hip circumference instead of age.
Height — Measure from socket bone at back of neck to floor. Make sure the child is wearing shoes.
Hip — Measure over fullest part of hips.
Arm Length — Measure underarm to wrist.

Men’s Sizes

Chest — Measure largest part.
Arm Length — Measure underarm to wrist.

Women’s and Misses’ Measurements

Size                     10         12         14          16           18     20
Bust                     28         30         32          34          36      38
Waist                   24         25         26-1/2    28          30      32
Hip                       31         33         35          37          39      41
Arm Length         16-1/4   16-1/2   17          17-1/2    18     18

Infants and Girls Body Measurements

Size                 1/2       1           2      3           4            6       8­­­       10        12           14
Height              22     25           29   31          33          37     41     45         49           53
Hip                   20     21           22   23          24          26     28     30         32-1/2     35
Breast             19      20           21   22          23          24     26     28         30           32
Waist               19     19-1/2     20   20-1/2    21          22     23    24          25           26
Arm Length        6      7            8     8-3/4      9-1/2     11     12    13-1/2    14-1/2     16

Boys Body Measurements

Size                 1             2      3            4      6      8    10    12          14
Height            25           29    31          33    37    41    45    49          53
Hip                 20           21    22          23    25    27    29    31          33
Chest             20           21    22          23    24    26    28    30          32
Waist             19-1/2     20    20-1/2    21    22    23    24    25-1/2    27
Arm Length     7            8       9           10    11    12    13    14          15

Mens Body Measurements

Size (Chest)    30           32           34          36     38          40     42           44
Arm Length     19-1/4    19-1/2     19-3/4    20     20-1/2    21     21-1/4     21-1/2

For those of you whose measurements are outside of the data above, I am trying to find "outsize" sizing data in my collection of vintage fashion materials. As soon as I can get my hands on authentic information, I'll post it.

I hope this helps ease a lot of the frustration with choosing the wrong size when making vintage fashions. Be sure to bookmark this page for future reference -- and forward to your vintage-loving friends using the "Share/Save" link above. I hope I've helped you "add a little vintage to your day!"

Mar
Bramcost Publications