Measuring & Fit Guide
We offer a large selection of designers and manufacturers that span the 20th and early 21st century. Sizing varies greatly, so we have outlined our measuring and size estimating process.
The best way to know if a vintage item will fit you is to take a garment that fits you well, similar to the one you are interested in purchasing, and measure it the way we measure ours.
We lay all garments flat and measure as follows*:
| DRESSES | PANTS | |
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BUST - under arm to under arm across the front and then double that measurement. |
Measure the WAISTBAND, widest part of the HIPS, widest part of the THIGH on one leg and width of the CUFF, then double those measurements |
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WAIST - find the smallest part of the garment if there isn't an obvious seam for the waist and measure across and then double that measurement. |
LENGTH - Measure from the top of the waistband to the bottom of the cuff along the side seam. | |
| HIPS - Find the largest part of the hip area and measure flat, then double that measurement. | RISE - Measure from the crotch to the top of the waistband. | |
| LENGTH - from the nape of the neck or the top of the shoulders, depending on the style of garment. We will measure to the waist when applicable, so that you can determine if it will fit your torso, and then a waist down measurement. | INSEAM - Measure from the crotch to the bottom of the cuff along the inside seam. | |
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SLEEVES - measure from the top of the shoulder seam to the end of the sleeve. When we think that the arm opening is particularly small, we will provide that measurement as well.** |
*Fabrics with stretch will have some give, we will try to mention the range of measurements that will fit comfortably.
**With dolman sleeves, the size is an estimation based on the waist as the body seamlessly joins the sleeve. 
Feel free to email us with specific questions about specific measurements that we may not have included that you need to know in order to feel confident about your purchase. If you have a particularly long torso, short legs, long arms, etc.. we can help you determine whether or not a garment will work for your body.
Description
This is a cream sturdy cotton dress with hand embroidered flowers and birds in shades of pink, purple, blue, lime green, tan. This Josefa dress has with white velvet sewn in ribbon trim down the length of the dress and around the square neckline. The dress is fitted at the bust and then becomes fuller as it extends to the hem.
This dress was made in Mexico in the 1970's. It is in excellent condition, just with a few faint spots and missing the original label*). We estimate it to fit a modern day size 4. Please use the measurements as a guide.
BUST: 34"
WAIST: 30"
HIPS: 40"
SLEEVE LENGTH: 20"
SHOULDERS: 14 1/2"
LENGTH: 49"
*This dress came from an estate collection of fine embroidered Josefa early pieces. This one still has the signature Josefa Dry Clean label with its distinctive font, but the Josefa label was removed. The dress has all of the Josefa elements one would expect, including the ribbon detail and embroidery. We have seen this exact dress in other colors of fabric with the Josefa label and we guarantee it to be authentic.
Josefa was known for her ability to integrate traditional Mexican elements into modern fashion styles. She was the first Mexican designer to have her clothing featured on the cover of Paris Vogue and the celebrities who owned her pieces included Princess Grace of Monaco, Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Deborah Kerr and more. Her pieces were made by hand by the women she personally trained in Guadalajara.
In order to best determine fit, measure yourself or a garment of a smilar style that fits you well. Compare those measurements to those on the item description.
All of our pieces have been professionally cleaned and arrive ready to wear.
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Measurements, not size. View our Measuring Guide
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