How to Read Japanese Vintage Sizing (Without Guessing)
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The most common reason people hesitate to buy vintage from overseas is sizing. It is a fair worry: a Japanese M from 2003 is not a modern M, and the same tag size varies between brands, decades and garment types.
The way around it is simple: ignore the tag and use the measurements.
How we measure
Every garment is laid flat and measured by our staff in Kyoto. We publish the numbers on each product page:
- Length — from the highest point of the shoulder (or neck gather) straight down to the hem
- Chest width — armpit to armpit, flat. Double it for the full circumference
- Shoulder width — seam to seam across the back
- Sleeve length — shoulder seam to cuff
- Waist / rise / inseam — for bottoms, also measured flat
Measurements are taken by hand, so allow around 1–2 cm of variance.
The three-minute method
- Take a garment you already own and like the fit of. The same type — a tee for a tee, jeans for jeans.
- Lay it flat and measure chest width, length and shoulder width.
- Compare those numbers with ours. Within ±2 cm will feel the same; +3 cm and up will feel relaxed; −3 cm and below will feel tight.
This works across every brand and era, which is why we rely on it instead of a size chart.
Two things to watch with vintage
- Stretch. Thin 2000s jersey stretches; rigid denim does not. We note it when a fabric is highly stretchy.
- Shrinkage. A 20-year-old garment has usually been washed many times, so what you see is what it is now. That is a good thing: the measurements are already settled.
See also our Size Guide and Condition Guide.
日本古著尺寸怎麼看（中文摘要）
日本古著的標籤尺寸不可靠：2000 年代的 M 與現在的 M 完全不同，且各品牌、各年代差異很大。請以實測尺寸為準。
本店每件商品皆由京都的工作人員平放實測，並標示：衣長、胸寬（腋下到腋下）、肩寬、袖長（褲款另有腰圍、股上、股下）。手工測量約有 1〜2 公分誤差。
最簡單的做法：拿一件自己有、且合身的同類型衣服平放測量，再與本店數字比較。±2 公分內＝版型相近；+3 公分以上＝寬鬆；−3 公分以下＝偏緊。