Pit to Pit Guide: How to Measure Vintage Clothing

June 1, 2026

Why Measurements Matter When Buying Vintage

Buying vintage clothing online is exciting — but sizing can be a real challenge. Vintage garments were made to different standards than modern clothing, and labels like "Large" or "XL" can mean very different things depending on the brand, the decade, and the country of manufacture. That's why we list detailed measurements on every item we sell, and why understanding how to read those measurements is the key to buying vintage with confidence.

This guide explains the most common measurements you'll see when shopping for vintage clothing, and how to take your own measurements so you can compare them accurately.

The Most Important Measurement: Pit to Pit (P2P)

The pit-to-pit measurement — also called chest measurement or P2P — is the single most useful measurement for tops, jackets, and outerwear. It's taken by laying the garment flat and measuring straight across the chest from one armpit seam to the other.

How to measure pit to pit on a garment:

Lay the garment flat on a surface
Smooth out any wrinkles
Place your tape measure at the seam under one arm (the armpit point)
Measure straight across to the seam under the other arm
This gives you the half-chest measurement
Double it to get the full chest circumference

Example: A pit-to-pit measurement of 58 cm means the full chest circumference is approximately 116 cm.

How to Measure Yourself

To find your ideal pit-to-pit measurement, measure yourself or a well-fitting garment you already own.

Measuring yourself: Wrap a tape measure around the fullest part of your chest, keeping it horizontal and snug but not tight. Divide this number by 2 to get your ideal pit-to-pit measurement. Add 2–5 cm for a comfortable fit, or more if you prefer an oversized look.

Measuring a garment you own: Lay your favourite-fitting jacket or jumper flat and measure pit to pit as described above. Use this as your reference measurement when shopping.

Other Key Measurements Explained

Shoulder width: Measured from shoulder seam to shoulder seam across the back of the garment. Important for structured jackets and shirts — if the shoulders don't fit, the garment won't sit correctly regardless of other adjustments.

Length (body length): Measured from the highest point of the shoulder (or the back of the collar) down to the hem. Useful for checking whether a jacket or jumper will hit at the right point on your body.

Sleeve length: Measured from the shoulder seam to the end of the cuff. Can vary significantly between vintage pieces, especially on older American workwear.

Waist: For trousers and jeans, measured across the waistband laid flat, then doubled. Always compare to your actual waist measurement and allow some room.

Inseam: For trousers, measured from the crotch seam to the bottom of the leg. Critical for getting the right length.

Vintage Sizing vs. Modern Sizing

Here are some general rules of thumb when shopping vintage:

American vintage (Carhartt, Levi's, etc.) — tends to run large. A vintage American Large often fits like a modern XL or XXL.
British vintage (Burberry, Stone Island, etc.) — generally closer to modern European sizing, but older pieces can run smaller.
Japanese vintage — typically runs small. Always check measurements carefully.
1980s and earlier pieces — often cut differently, with higher armholes and shorter body lengths than modern equivalents.

How We List Measurements at Hazendonk Vintage

Every item in our store includes detailed measurements taken by hand. We list pit-to-pit, body length, and shoulder width as standard on all tops and outerwear, and waist and inseam on all trousers. Where relevant, we also note sleeve length and any quirks in the fit.

If you're ever unsure about sizing or have a question about a specific piece, feel free to reach out — we're happy to take additional measurements or provide more detail before you buy.