Guide
Size Guide
An older label does not always mean what a label means today. That is why every piece here carries flat measurements in cm, taken with the garment lying flat, alongside the size printed on its label.
The most reliable way to use them
Take a piece you own that fits the way you like. Lay it flat, measure the same points, and compare. Two minutes with a tape measure beat any size chart.
How we measure
1
2
Tops — shirts, sweaters, jackets
- 1Length
- From the shoulder seam straight down to the hem.
- 2Width — pit to pit
- Across the chest, from armpit to armpit.
1
2
Pants — jeans, trackpants, shorts
- 1Length
- Along the outer leg, from waistband to hem.
- 2Width — waist
- Across the waistband, measured one-sided.
One-sided means the tape runs across the front only — double it for the full circumference.
What label sizes actually measure
Measured across 1,000+ tops listed in this shop, this is what the labels turn out to mean:
| Label | Pit to pit (typical) | Length (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| S | 43–55 cm | 59–67 cm |
| M | 46–58 cm | 61–70 cm |
| L | 49–60 cm | 60–72 cm |
| XL | 51–64 cm | 65–74 cm |
| XXL | 56–69 cm | 69–76 cm |
Waistbands
Most trackpants and joggers have an elastic waistband. The waist measurement on the product page is taken with the band relaxed, not stretched.
The ranges overlap: two pieces both labelled L can be two modern sizes apart. Every product page carries its own numbers for that reason.
Label size and how a piece fits
The size on a product page is the size on the label. Where a piece clearly wears differently from what its tag says, we say how it actually fits — with vintage that happens often enough to be worth noting. When in doubt, go by the measurements: they describe the garment itself, not what someone printed on a tag thirty years ago.
If a measurement you need is not on the product page, write to us at ninetyvintage@gmx.net or on Instagram — we will measure the piece for you.