Sizing & Condition Tips:

This section will explain how Retro Kitten Apparel measures our garments, and how we interpret an items condition along with some great tips! So please read the entire section for its valuable information.

Condition of an item: Mint, Excellent, Great, Good, and Fair

Mint: This means there are no flaws. The item is usually new, and may be in its original packaging, but not always.

Excellent: This means that the item looks almost new, but may have very minimal signs of wear. If the item is vintage this means that it has been well taken care of over the years and may have very minimal signs of wear.

Great: This usually means that the item does have minimal signs of wear, but is still in very good condition and has been well cared for. If it is vintage then it means that the item looks normal to very good for its age.

Good: This means that the item does have signs of wear from regular use, but that it is still in nice condition, and does not have any major flaws. If it is vintage it means that it is in what would be considered normal condition with normal to regular use for its age.

Fair: This means that the item has very visible signs of wear, or some noteable flaws, which would be listed. However, we usually don't carry items that are in fair condition, unless they are very rare and/or in high demand.

Vintage Lingerie & Undergarments

Vintage Bullet Bra and Cone Bra Sizing

If you are unsure of your bra size please equip yourself with a tape measure and work through the following guide:

The measurements must be made against the skin as opposed to over clothing:

1. To find your band size (32, 34, 36, etc.), measure directly under the bust and straight across the back. Hold the tape measure firmly. Add 4 inches to an even number, and 5 inches to an odd number. This is your band size.

2. To find out your bust measurement, which will determine your cup size, measure the fullest part of the bust in inches. This requires a looser measurement than in step 1. In fact, the tape measure should almost slip off your breast to get the best results.

3. Subtract your band size (step 1) from the second measurement (step 2). The difference determines your cup size. Don't be scared of corsets as they are made to work hard and to reduce your waist by 3 to 4 inches.

Difference between back size and bust measurement in inches:

Cup size Same = A cup

Cup size 1" more = B cup

Cup size 2" more = C cup

Cup size 3" more = D cup

Cup size 4" more = E cup (or DD)

Cup size 5" more = F cup (or DDD)

Overseas Bra Sizing

UK/USA 32A = France 85A Europe 70A Australia 10A

UK/USA 32B = France 85B or 85 Europe 70B Australia 10B

UK/USA 32C = France 85C Europe 70C Australia 10C

UK/USA 32D = France 85D Europe 70D Australia 10D

UK/USA 34A = France 90A Europe 75A Australia 12A

UK/USA 36A = France 95A Europe 80A Australia 14A

UK/USA 38A = France 100A Europe 85A Australia 16A

and so on.

Corset Tips

Most women wear a corset these days for the glamour as much as the effect. Wearing a corset takes you back to a more decadent era, making you feel as if you've just walked out of Moulin Rouge.

Corsets are not to be taken lightly. They should skim approximately 4" from your waist and want to keep going long after you've given up. They shouldn't, however, feel uncomfortable. You should feel as if you're being hugged tightly.

Corsets are the ultimate in boudoir dressing, but they needn't be confined to that. A corset makes a daring top when teamed with a pencil skirt or even trousers (as Kylie Minogue has demonstrated recently). If you want to achieve a nipped in waist (think Dior's New Look) a corset may not be the right answer. A waist cincher is a more practical option for everyday-wear.

Corsets are really quite simple to get into once you get the hang of it.

Corset Sizing

Most corsets come in even waist sizes (22", 24", 26" etc). To determine your corset size take 3” to 4” from your normal waist measurement. If you have a natural waist measurement of 28", then your corset size will be 24", etc.

Most corsets feature a busk front (front opening) and laced back. To try on your corset don't undo the lacing at the back, simply untie the bow in the middle and 'jimmy' the corset apart. Once you have a gap of a few inches you can undo the busk front and put the corset on like a belt. If it doesn't fit simply 'jimmy' the back ties a little further apart. Once the corset is on. Pull the center loops of the back ties gently but firmly to tighten the corset. If the corset is a longer style you might need a little help to tighten the top and bottom of the corset, but with practice will be able to do it alone.

The corset shouldn't close completely and easily on the first try. If it does, it's probably too big! Once you've worn your corset a few times you'll be able to gradually lace tighter so both sides meet at the back giving you a perfect fit.

Corselet Tips

A corselet includes a bra and garter belt covering the whole torso. Imagine a beautiful, fitted, black silk cocktail dress. Now think of the visible lines left by your bra, panties and garter belt. A corselet comfortably solves all of these problems and ensures a smooth line from bust to top of thigh.

Waist Cincher Tips

If you're trying shape wear for the first time a waist cinchers is a must! They nip in your waist to give you a '50s hour glass figure and, more importantly, do so comfortably! Unlike corsets you don't need to save them for an evening out, but can wear them on a daily basis with no pinching! Woman today don't seem to have as defined waists as in the past and some customers claim it has changed their lives!

Waist cinchers are ideal for wearing with tight-waisted, full-skirted dresses, or under tight pencil skirts.

Bullet Bra, Cone Bra, Retro Bra Tips

Quite simply, the easiest way of obtaining an authentic retro silhouette is investing in a bullet, or longline, bra.

Breast shapes go in and out of fashion just as much as anything else. In the 1920s, women would bind their breasts to appear flat chested, while, more recently, women have been pumping silicone into our bodies for that perfect shape. The ideal breast shape of the 1950s was a cone shape, pointing proudly outwards and upwards.

Wearing a bullet bra gives you a great 1950s silhouette, but, if you're feeling a little self conscious, a longline bra still gives you the right outline, but in a less extreme form. A longline bra is also perfect for wearing with full-skirted dresses if you want a little shaping, but don't want to wear a girdle.

Girdle Tips

Open bottom girdles shape the hips, tummy and derriere. It is a myth that wearing a girdle will make you significantly smaller, but it will give you a little leeway on a too-tight dress. It also smoothes out any lumps and bumps, which makes an open bottom girdle ideal for wearing with a tight fitting pencil skirt or dress.

Putting them on. The nails I have broken until I learned how to put on a girdle properly! Here's how. Fold girdle in half; step into it; pull up on hips, unfold, roll up; run your hands under the girdle at the side of the hip and smooth the fabric, pulling it down gently.

"I like to fasten my back garters first, seems to make it easier". 'I Haven't a Thing to Wear,' by Judith Keith, 1968.

Vintage Lingerie Care

Look after your vintage lingerie, hosiery, and other women’s accessories and you will get the best wear and longevity out of your undergarments.

Look at the labels. Most retro lingerie will have labels, and stockings, hold-ups, and pantyhose will normally have instructions on the packaging. The makers of your undergarments are the experts! Stockings and lingerie manufacturers will also have carried out exhaustive wash testing on their garments. Even though a garment label is small it contains all the information required for washing and caring for the vintage lingerie.

Retro Kitten Apparel advises that you should wash your vintage undergarments and stockings in a wash bag, or pillow case, to protect your delicate undergarment from snagging and getting damaged by other items.

If your vintage lingerie, stockings, or any other item does not have any tag detailing washing or care instructions it is advisable to following these basic rules:

Always

1. Wash your stockings and lingerie by hand in cold water. Make sure you rinse the soap out thoroughly. If you prefer to wash in the washing machine, use a cold wash with similar colors, and remember to fasten all your underwear and bra hook and eye closures to avoid damage in the machine.

2. Drip dry, or dry flat, away from direct sunlight as this can cause your vintage lingerie and seamed stockings to fade. If you must dry in a dryer, tumble dry on a very low, cool setting with your undergarments and hosiery either in a pillow case or wash bag. Most items are NOT suitable for tumble drying.

3. If your tag says Dry Clean Only, then dry clean ONLY. Ignoring this instruction will almost certainly result in serious damage to your valuable vintage lingerie garments.

4. You should use a soap specially designed for delicates and avoid biological soaps when washing your lingerie.

Avoid

1. Avoid washing you lingerie with other items as lingerie is delicate and easily damaged.

2. Do not use bleach or strong detergents.

3. Do not tumble dry undergarments loosely with other lingerie as they may twist, stretch, and get caught with such items as garter belts or bra straps.

4. Avoid using clothes lines as the undergarments may crease and stretch. Remember also to keep your undergarments out of direct sunlight.

5. Do not use a hot iron on your lingerie as this will damage the fabric.

Lingerie Sizing Tips

When measuring your waist, measure tightly. You're measuring for shape wear so tummies in and tape-measure tight. Your natural waist line is the narrowest point of your torso, higher than your pants waistband, higher than your belly button, and just below your ribs.

When measuring your hips, measure the widest part. It is advisable to go down one size for certain cinching-type garments.