The Vintage Doctor
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know that this item will fit me?
Do you make custom orders?
Do you make Rush Orders?
How do you price your items?
How do I care for my item?
Where else can I purchase Vintage Doc items?
What kind of sewing machines do you use?
Are you hiring models? How can we collaborate?
Where do you get your fabric?

How do I know that this item will fit me?

There is a Size Chart provided in each dress and corset listing. Also, all sizes are listed in INCHES. "How do know what my actual measurements are?" - you may ask. It is very simple - take a tape measure and wrap it around yourself.

Bust: the fullest part across the nipples - THIS IS NOT YOUR BRA SIZE!
Waist: the smallest part around the torso - ABOVE your bellybutton. The exact middle of the pinched "hourglass" figure.
Hips: the widest part of the lower body.

Remember to measure yourself while dressed in the undergarments that you plan on wearing with the item! Be mindful of any "breathing room" you need.

CORSETS: breathe OUT all the way (so that your torso is at it's smallest), then measure. Please keep in mind that most corsets are normally worn 2 to 4 inches smaller than your actual body measurements.

Overbusts: already have a 3" gap built into them. This will ensure an excellent body-hugging fit with no chance of shifting/falling down during wear. When placing an order, please choose the size closest to your body measurements.
Underbusts: are measured closed (no gap). When placing an order, please choose at least one size smaller than your body measurements. For example, if your waist is 26" around, then you should order the 24" underbust.

All corset listings include steel boning. Steel is much more durable than plastic, will not break or warp under pressure, and is suitable for tight-lacing. Many people do not even consider a corset "genuine" unless it is made with steel.

DRESSES with a ZIPPER-BACK: breathe IN all the way, then measure. Remember that the zipper back cannot be adjusted like the grommet back! If the bodice is too small, it may constrict your breathing and movements, making it very troublesome to wear.
DRESSES with a GROMMET-BACK: breathe OUT all the way, then measure. The LARGEST number listed in the size range is the dress measured CLOSED (when the two back panels touch with no gap). If your body measurements are significantly LESS than this number, the back panels will overlap and the bodice will be too loose.

SKIRTS with a ZIPPER-BACK: just like the dresses with a zipper-back, breathe IN all the way, then measure. Keep the tape measure loose! If the bodice is too small, the zipper will not close all the way.
SKIRTS with a GROMMET-BACK: just like the dresses with a grommet-back, breathe OUT all the way, then measure. This option is best for those with larger waist-to-ribcage ratios, and allows open 'wiggle room' at the very top of the high waist bodice.

If you need assistance, feel free to contact us. Please do NOT email us with your bra size, or tell us that you "usually wear a size 6", whatever. You may be a Size 6 in Brand X, but a Size 8 in Brand Y. There is no such thing as universal sizes. Give us inches!

Do you make custom orders?

We DO NOT make custom orders and we DO NOT make custom sizes at this time - the only sizes available are the ones already listed. However, if you would like to request one of our dresses, corsets or skirts in another fabric print, please click on the images below to place a Special Order! Our knit tops and t-shirts, however, are strictly OOAK (one-of-a-kind).



Sometimes out-of-print, vintage, and/or deadstock fabric is offered for items. In these situations, there is a strict limit to the quantity that can be made - most of the time only one. But once it's sold, it's GONE.

NOTE: Our finished items are not licensed. However, we ONLY use lawfully purchased, LICENSED t-shirts and fabric in our hand-crafted constructions. They are obtained directly from retail stores and suppliers. We do NOT screenprint/spongepaint/sharpie/bootleg or otherwise ripoff designs or logos. It is unlawful to do so. Period. We are not affiliated with, nor sponsored by the trademark owners.

Do you make Rush Orders?

If an item is needed to be completed sooner than the posted turnaround time, upgrading to a Rush Order is REQUIRED. Please see current turnaround times HERE.

You must first CONTACT US with your due date prior to ordering to schedule a completion date and confirm fabric availability. We obviously cannot make your Rush Order if we don't know your deadline ahead of time! Those who place a Rush Order without disclosing their deadline to us will have their order downgraded to a normal turnaround time until they contact us! We will not chase you around for your information, so please be considerate.

Rush fees vary and are NONREFUNDABLE. Our calendar is already full as it is with orders that were placed on time - bumping these projects would be unfair to the clients who already paid for them. Squeezing in additional projects forces us to work double-time, so rush fees are put in place to make that time well spent.

RUSH ORDERS
Completion Time Cost
5 Weeks 20% Base Cost
2 Weeks 40% Base Cost
1 Week 80% Base Cost


Rush Order completion times do NOT include transit periods after an item has shipped. If a completion date falls on a weekend or holiday, that order will ship on the next available business day when the Post Office is open. Plan accordingly.

Be aware that Rush Order fees DO NOT include Express Mail shipping costs. It is the client's responsibility to choose the best shipping method for their order. Those who have extremely tight deadlines will be required to upgrade to Express Mail. CONTACT US with any questions or concerns if you suspect this may be the case.

How do you price your items?

Many of the fabrics used in our pieces come from different sources, countries, and decades. Some are extremely rare, discontinued by the manufacturer or imported....and a few are over 30 years old! We take care to use only the best in supplies and materials in our creations. Our pricing reflects this accordingly.

Time and labor is also included in the final cost of an item. We do not contract out our work, and make everything in-house...from pattern drafting all the way to the smallest ribbon bow. Every finished piece is very labor intensive - on average, it takes at least 16 hours to complete a single item. This is the reason why we cannot offer bulk discounts - no matter how many pieces are purchased, it still takes the same extraordinary amount of time and materials to finish each one.

This should go without saying, but all prices are non-negotiable. Any inquiries regarding discounts, trades, private sales or price-bargaining will be ignored and deleted. We take pride in our professional work and cannot tell you how incredibly insulting this is.

How do I care for my item?

EVERY dress and corset is lined with either a 100% Cotton woven OR 100% Cotton Twill fabric which is pre-cleaned and pre-shrunk with heat for maximum stability. However, please do NOT simply throw them into the wash with the rest of your laundry! If need be, please spot-clean with COLD water. Re-shape and then dry flat.

Many warehouses are dirty and spray their fabrics with chemicals for various reasons. All material is washed BEFORE being cut up for DIY use, so your garment is ready-to-wear!

Where else can I purchase Vintage Doc items?

Other than this site, Vintage Doctor pieces are only available on Etsy. We DO NOT take wholesale or consignment orders.

What kind of sewing machines do you use?

All of The Vintage Doctor creations are of extremely high quality and will NOT fall apart on you! We use a Brother Industrial Sewing Machine, a Husqvarna Viking Huskylock Serger, as well as a professional grommet machine press. We serge AND topstitch, so all items are always guaranteed to be of a professional element.

Are you hiring models? How can we collaborate?

We are always on the lookout for experienced petite female models (18+) to promote our collections. We are willing to work with amateur models in exchange for their exposure, but ONLY those who live near us locally AND who already have a Model Mayhem account. We ADORE tattoos, piercings, unique & brightly colored hair, etc. If you are interested, please CONTACT US.

When inquiring via this site, you MUST include a link to your online portfolio, as well as your bust & waist measurements IN INCHES. Bra sizes are NOT acceptable. BOTH of these components are required in order to be considered for modeling. Please note that we will NOT rent out our clothing for personal shoots, do sponsorships, give away free items for reviews, or grant discounts simply because you are a model. Please be professional, or your message will be deleted.

If inquiring via Model Mayhem, you can find our profile HERE. Models, photographers, MUA's, and other designers...all are welcome! Friend request us! :)

Where do you get your fabric?

You can find a list of websites in the Resource section of www.WhatTheCraft.com.

Do not ask us for a step-by-step tutorial on how we make our clothing/patterns, or what suppliers we get our fabric from. We work countless hours trying to find and create the most unique styles and materials the market can offer - you don't think that we would just give those secrets away, do you?

We will not give out our fabric sources, nor will we sell you our fabric. Sorry!


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