CHOOSING THE RIGHT SIZE
We want to help you to get the right size first time, so we have set out these details below on the sizing of our products.
Please take the time to read this carefully before deciding which size to choose.
If you are anything like the majority of us, you will probably not have measured yourself for sometime, and when you do measure yourself, you are shocked to discover that you are not the size you thought you are or used to be!
We beg you to ignore all the fears and trepidations of getting out the tape measure and we ask you to measure yourself in a relaxed state (do not breathe in!) This is the only way of getting an accurate uptodate measurement. Please do not use the size label in another garment from your wardrobe.
"We have all said something like this at sometime in our lives: - 'I normally take size xx' - or - 'I used to be a size xx' "
LEATHER CLOTHING
Our leatherwear is usually styled as 'fitted'. This means that the garment will fit you 'close' to your skin. These garments need accurate measurements. Leather will stretch a maximum of 2% over a period of time.
"Sizing Reduction" or "Vanity Sizing" are two 'stealth-like' operations conducted by the 'high-street' retailers to make us all feel a size or two smaller by buying their products. We have found that over recent years, manufacturers and high street stores, have also altered traditional sizing, to cater for the 'expanding' waistline. This makes us feel slimmer than we really are. For example, today's size 14 is yesterday's size 16. "Marilyn Monroe was a natural size 'traditional' 16 - and look at her figure?!
Our leather clothing is based on the traditional sizing method, with a 'hips to waist ratio' of 8-10 inches. Because of vanity sizing, you will also probably find that you need a size larger than you would normally buy in shops on the high street.
We have given bust/chest, waist and hip measurements, where appropriate, for our sizes on each product information pages. Please use our sizing as an initial guideline. Enter your measurements in the 'text-boxes' where possible. Please measure yourself before you place your order. Do so preferably with the help of a third person and use a flexible tape measure. Measuring an existing item from your wardrobe is sometimes not a good idea, as this item could be a different shape and style. i.e a skirt could be either a 'hipster' or a 'waisted-skirt'. (You are most welcome to contact us at anytime.)
The table below gives approximate measurements on which most of our ladies’ leatherwear is based, so please use this as a guide. However, if you need more precise information on any standard garment, please do not hesitate to contact us.
|
UK Sizes |
European sizes |
Bust |
Waist |
Hips |
|
8 |
34 |
32”/81cm |
24”/61cm |
34”/84cm |
|
10 |
36 |
34”/86cm |
26”/66cm |
35”/89cm |
|
12 |
38 |
36”/91cm |
28”/71cm |
37”/94cm |
|
14 |
40 |
38”/96cm |
30”/76cm |
39”/99cm |
|
16 |
42 |
40”/101cm |
32”/81cm |
41”/104cm |
|
18 |
44 |
42”/106cm |
34”/86cm |
43”/109cm |
|
20 |
46 |
44”/111cm |
36”/91cm |
45”/114cm |
|
22 |
48 |
46”/116cm |
38”/96cm |
47”/119cm |
|
24 |
50 |
48”/121cm |
40”/101cm |
49”/124cm |
GLOVES
If you are not sure of your glove size, measure the circumference of the hand you normally write with. To do this, measure around the palm at its widest point (in inches or centimetres), excluding the thumb. Round this figure up to the nearest half or whole number - this will be your glove size. For example, if your hand measures 6¾”/17cm, your glove size is 7”/17.75cm.
For all long opera style gloves (especially leather) please also measure the circumference of your upper arms and enter the results in the 'text-box' provided.
Please Note: Dents and Pia Rossini "ONE SIZE" Gloves are maufactured to 'World Standard Average Sizings.' Please help us to help you by informing us if you think you may have fingers, hands or arms which are either smaller or larger than the average. Especially if you have had difficulty finding gloves to fit you in the past. This will prevent postage costs and delivery delays. You can supply us/email us with your anatomical statistics if you wish. Or alternatively, please type in any additional information into the "Text-Box" provided in the "Product Details" section on the product page. We will then advise you accordingly.
OTHER CLOTHING
However, we are gradually entering more accurate information of sizes in the drop-down selection boxes for each product to help guide your choice of size. In the meantime, if you are in any doubt, please contact us, and we will be pleased to help.
FOOTWEAR
Much of our footwear (except where indicated) is in USA sizes. As a general guide, USA sizing for ladies’ footwear is 2 ½ sizes greater than UK sizing. The table below shows the standard conversions given:
Shoe Sizes
USA (Womens) 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
UK (Womens) 2.5 3.5 4.5 5.5 6.5 7.5 8.5 9.5 10.5 11.5 12.5 13.5
UK (Mens) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Europe 35 36 37.5 38.5 40 41.5 42.5 44 45 46.5 47.5 48.5
To choose your correct size, please follow our recommendations, based on our own experiences:
For Full (Closed) Shoes and Boots: Please select the USA size 3 times larger than your own UK size (i.e. if you are a normal UK size 4 (length and width), then choose USA size 7).
For all Open Toe Footwear (Sandals and Slides): Please select the USA size 2 times larger than your own UK size (i.e. if you are a normal UK size 4 (length and width), then choose USA size 6).
CORSETS
We offer only waist-reducing (‘tight-lacing’) steel-boned corsets, which are designed to reduce the waist by 2-4” (5-10cm). The size of corsets are given as the final corset waist size - the measurement of the corset on the inside of its waist when laced fully shut - and sizes go up in 2” (5cm) increments.
Many corset retailers ask customers to select their own corset by choosing a waist size 3-4” smaller than their own natural waist measurement. However, this can be a bit ‘hit and miss’ since all standard corsets are based on the traditional Victorian ‘hourglass’ figure, which has approximately a 10” (25cm) difference between the natural waist and hip measurements. And, of course, everyone is an individual and the figure may not necessarily conform to this hourglass shape. In order to avoid any disappointment when you receive your corset, we have asked you to give us your body measurements so that we can select the best size for you.
Selecting your corset waist size:
Please enter your actual uncorsetted measurements in the drop-down boxes provided on the product page, i.e.
Bust (the fullest part of your bust), Bra cup size, Waist, Hips, Height
If we think that there may be a problem in fitting you with the corset you have selected, we will contact you to discuss this with you.
BESPOKE CORSETS
We are able to offer a number of corsets which are custom-made and designed to reduce the waist by a minimum of 4” (10cm). These require a more comprehensive set of measurements - please contact us so we can discuss this with you.