Selling on Depop and Vinted: Measurements Buyers Want

On Depop and Vinted, buyers want flat measurements taken with a tape: pit to pit and length for tops, waist, hip, rise and inseam for bottoms. Vintage and secondhand tags often don't match modern sizes, so numbers in centimeters or inches are what let a buyer decide. This guide lists what to measure for each garment type and how to write it up.

If you also run your own store, the same habits carry over. The guide to virtual try-on for WooCommerce shows how a store of your own can help buyers with fit too.

Why do secondhand buyers need measurements more than tags?

A tag tells the buyer what the brand called the garment, not how big it is. Sizing changes between brands, countries and decades, and wear or washing can change a garment further.

Buyers also can't try on, return easily or ask a fitting-room assistant. Measurements are the only objective information you can give. Listings with clear numbers answer the question "will this fit?" before it is asked.

How do you take flat measurements?

Lay the garment flat on a table, smooth out wrinkles, and measure with a soft tape. Don't stretch the fabric.

Measure the garment, not the person. Write "flat" next to widths so buyers know whether you measured across the front or around the whole body.

1. Fasten buttons and zips.
2. Smooth the garment without pulling.
3. Measure each point twice to confirm.
4. Note the unit. Many sellers list both centimeters and inches.

Which measurements should you list for each item?

Garment	Measurements to list
T-shirt, shirt, knit	Pit to pit (flat), length from the top of the shoulder, sleeve length
Jacket, coat	Pit to pit, length, sleeve length, shoulder width
Dress	Pit to pit, waist (flat), length, and hem width for full skirts
Jeans, trousers	Waist (flat), hip, front rise, inseam, leg opening
Skirt	Waist (flat), hip, length
Shorts	Waist (flat), inseam, leg opening

This table is a practical checklist built from how the garments are constructed. It isn't a platform requirement, so check each app's listing form for its own fields.

What does "pit to pit" mean?

Pit to pit is the width of a top, measured straight across the chest from one underarm seam to the other. It is the most useful single number for shirts, jackets and dresses.

A buyer can compare it with a top that fits them: lay it flat and measure the same way. Double the flat figure for the full circumference if you also want to give a chest size.

How do you write the measurement line?

Put the numbers near the top of the description, in a consistent order. Short, scannable lines work best on a phone.

Pit to pit: 52 cm (20.5 in), flat. Length: 68 cm (26.8 in), shoulder to hem. Sleeve: 60 cm (23.6 in). Fits like a UK 12, but check the numbers.

Add a fit note, such as "boxy and oversized" or "stretches a little at the waist". Include the tag size as well, so buyers can search for it. Then add a photo of the garment laid flat beside a tape measure.

How can you cut down on measurement questions?

Most questions repeat. Answer them in the listing and you save time.

• State the model's height and the size they wear, if you add a worn photo.
• Say whether the fabric stretches.
• Mention flaws, such as shrinkage or faded areas, that affect fit.
• Add a photo of the care label so buyers see the fabric.

Keep a note on your phone with the measurements for every item you list. If a buyer asks later, you won't need to dig the garment out again.

What is a quick checklist before you post?

Run through this list before you publish each listing.

• Every measurement is flat, in a clear order, and labeled.
• Both centimeters and inches are given.
• The tag size is stated, with a note if it seems off.
• The fabric and any stretch are described.
• Flaws that affect fit are mentioned.
• One photo shows the garment flat next to a tape measure.

Where do secondhand sellers go next?

Some resellers outgrow marketplace listings and open their own store. A store lets you use a size chart, product pages and, if you want, a try-on feature. The guide to selling made-to-measure clothing with WooCommerce shows how a store collects measurements from buyers.

Marketplaces differ in how they handle sizing fields, so see the companion article on how to list measurements on eBay clothing listings for the same job on another platform.

Developers building tools for resellers can look at the virtual try-on API for developers. ZeDaq.ai offers a REST API (POST /api/v1/tryon with an x-api-key header) that shows a store's garment on a shopper's photo. The API reference is at /en/docs/api.

FAQs

Should I list measurements in centimeters or inches?

List both if you can. Buyers come from different countries, and a single unit can cause mistakes.

Is pit to pit the same as chest size?

No. Pit to pit is the flat width of the garment. The chest circumference is roughly double that figure, depending on how the garment is cut.

Do I need to measure every item?

Yes, if you want fewer questions and fewer returns or disputes. It only takes a minute per item.

What if the tag size and my measurements don't match?

Trust your measurements. Mention both in the listing and say the tag may be inaccurate.