When measuring and assessing vintage goods, it helps with the description to have some form of guideline chart to follow. A charted guideline format is often used when examining a
student's fashion design practical work and I've found this a good similar technique when checking any type of clothing for condition or description
or masterful expertise of a technique.
You need not follow my idea precisely, but it may guide
you to think about factors relevant on any dress or suit you examine and
assess or for other vintage
items you sell. You may also find it helpful to look at the pages
on eclectic textiles
which show the variety of available vintage that come under the heading
of textiles.
You could make a table which follows this method. You may not like this chart and may prefer to make your own according to the type of goods you sell, but it will prompt you to consider
making your own chart. I suggest you use an Office product like Microsoft Word to map out a table and insert headings and allow spacing as you prefer or use the copy here. This is only a
guideline and is not set in stone. Some boxes would be ticked, others would have information added. Then you would use the information to add it to your sales page more easily.
The measurements you need to take on a garment will vary
according to the type of garment. Use this as a guide and choose your
own system adjusting the spacing for more or less detail as you see fit.
As a purchaser, rather than as a seller, the guidelines above may
make you question the reality of your purchase more and can also be
used as a chart to show your personal measurements. You can then
have a ready made guide at hand when seriously checking an internet
item.
If you have difficulty buying clothes because of a poorly
proportioned body you can still collect vintage for occasional wear.
Choose looser flowing garments such as capes, cloaks and 1920's
dresses. You will also find accessories can make
interesting collections and include freer fitting shawls, scarves,
belts and hats. Items like reticules and parasols need no
fitting!
Fortuny Stencilled Velvet Cape c.1920
This beautiful Fortuny stencilled velvet cape, c.1920 and shown
right is a
masterpiece from the grandmaster of colour design, illustrating
subtle transitions of silver to teal blue to bronze-gold.
Every aspect of fabric design and construction of Fortuny garments
was produced at the Fortuny studio.
If you decide to sell such items as
capelets, mantelets and cloaks,
you may need to rethink your charts for measuring and on occasion
photograph such garments flat especially when they are circular to
show the buyer the full extent of the cut or print.
Image
in the header of an Irish Crochet Edwardian Lace Gown is courtesy of
www.vintagetextile.com
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