What makes an item of clothing “vintage”?
Generally speaking if the item of clothing is at least 20 years old it falls under the term vintage. That means any item made in or before the year 2003 is vintage.
Items 100+ years old are considered "antique"
Why should I completely ignore the "Listed Size" on tags when buying vintage clothing?
Every decade the measurements in size charts change as do the material contents which changes how an item fits or drapes on your body before or after washing. What was a size 6 in 1950 would be considered a size 0 today!
T-shirt fit by decade - Generally speaking
- 70s - slim and long w/ more narrow shoulders and shorter sleeves
- 80s - slim but shorter length than the 70s
- 90s - boxy / baggier - Bust or pit to pit and length measurements are often the same
How do I find my vintage size?
We recommend pulling from your closet your favorite t-shirt, sweatshirt, jacket, dress and pair of 100% cotton jeans and getting their dimensions while it lays flat on the floor. Type them into your "notes" and you’ll always have them handy to compare against a listed item’s measurements.
Why is vintage sizing so different to modern sizes?
One of the reasons vintage sizing is different is because fashion wasn't produced on such a massive scale the way that it is today. Clothing was handmade from patterns or tailored to individuals. Some brands used shrink to fit denim which took at least two inches off after washing.
Also, today's ideal body sizes and shapes are different from the social norms in the 1950s or 1970s. Frankly, on average we are taller, broader and just plain bigger.
Why buy vintage?
A short list of the very many reasons:
- Quality! It's simple, we used to make items build to stand the test of hard work/wear and time + higher quality fibers, materials and even stitch count!
- Many pieces were Made in America, assembled in American factories and made by those who live & breath in the USA (Its hard to find American made products in new items)
- Unique one-of-a-kind items
- Who wants to wear the same thing 1000+ other people have on?
- It has character, history, a story. It's interesting. No one likes boring?
- Environmentally Friendly! It saves millions of pounds each year from the landfills. It helps save our precious water sources and pollution from our lakes, rivers, streams and oceans.
- Supports small local businesses
- Ask me for more reasons - I have 100 more
What does "Deadstock Vintage "mean?
Deadstock vintage are items that still have the original tags or stickers still attached and have never been worn or washed. They are called such because they have "passed away" from the original stock and were essentially dead to the world: stored in a warehouse, closet, drawer or storage unit & out of sight until finally finding its way into a vintage boutique, thrift store or collectors closet who breaths new life into the item. Make it live again!
Deadstock items are the diamonds among the jewels and are typically worth more than a traditional vintage piece.
Other terms for deadstock are “New Old Vintage” or “Never Off the Shelves,” abbreviated with the acronym NOS.
What does 50/50 mean?
A lot of t-shirts & sweatshirts back in the day were made from 50% cotton and 50% polyester. After decades of wear and tear they start to soften and get that “vintage t-shirt look”. 100% cotton shirts are generally a thicker feel and can appear more structured.
Why should I pay for stained clothing?
Stains are cool. But if you aren't yet convinced, that red spot hanging out on your new-old (now off) white tee could have been a ketchup mishap from catching a fly ball at the World Series in ’83 with a hotdog in hand; Or from changing a flat tire on a college road trip to meet future ex in-laws; Maybe the grease and paint stains were from long, hard days working in a corner gas station garage while Al Green played on the radio or from the dry, quiet ranges while tending to cattle or building fences.
Stains have stories even when they’re in the pits! Sweating in your favorite Hanes crewneck on your first middle school date can have a life long impact on a t-shirt. They are history and memories and are all worth retelling and keeping alive and well today.
Will my items come washed and cleaned?
YES! We wash all t-shirts, sweatshirts, pants and cotton jackets. We soak wool garments but recommend getting them professionally cleaned upon receipt.
When can I expect my order to arrive?
We ship daily. That said, very occasionally, we take a day off to go hunt for dirty old clothes. If you are in a hurry, email us directly. We ship USPS first class and priority based on weight. We use Fedex for the higher priced items that need a little more care while being delivered.
Why don't you accept returns?
Have other questions?
If you have any questions, concerns, comments or notes please contact us directly. You can use the "Contact" form on the website or
email: thedirtylaundrypile@gmail.com
DM or Call on Instagram or Facebook: MCAVintageRevival