Most of the clothing at funkygarb.com is made in either India or Nepal (this includes our own label, too). From one manufacturer to another, there really isn’t any type of size standard like we have here in the U.S.
Some of the fabric has room (the heavier rayon, for example) and may be able to be shrunk to fit or heavily steamed and stretched as it’s ironed, to add some room.
At funky, we realize we don’t describe our items like a normal “catalog” company. We provide way more information, we measure and offer tips in the descriptions, to help our buyers make an informed decision.
Especially annoying are the OSFA (one size fits all) pieces. We’ve found, over time, that one manufacturer will make these to fit up to, usually, a size 14, while another manufacturer will produce a OSFA piece that won’t fit anyone larger than a size 10 U.S.
Some websites buy or produce from one company only. This makes it easy, because they can list sizing once and the customer knows that the bust size for all their products will always be the same….For us at funkygarb.com, we have a HUGE selection, so there’s no way we could stick to one company/manufacturer. It’s why we’ll always list measurements for individual sizes/garments.
So we urge our buyers to measure, measure, measure!
Trying to figure out if something you buy on line will fit? The *best* way is to measure something you already have and then compare it to the measurements in the description.
If you want to take the time, get yourself a fabric tape measure and measure yourself.
For the bust, bring the tape measure together in front OVER the middle of the bust — and the tape at the back should be where your bra strap connects. Wear your bra when you take this measurement!
For your waist you’re generally going to measure the smallest part. If in doubt you can use the “string” method. You tie a string around your waist…move your upper body to the left, and then to the right…and then measure where the string has settled itself.
For hip measurements, take that around the largest part of your “bum”.
For our purposes, we usually explain, on our listings how we measure the length of a garment. Dresses and “tops” are measured, at least for us, from the shoulder seam down to the bottom hem. For skirts we measure from the top of the waistband to the hem.
For measuring yourself for pants, you’ll want to get an inseam measurement, so take that from the crotch down the inside of your leg to the top of your ankle. For us, we usually provide an inseam and the side outer seam measurement — again, taking it from the waistband to the hem.
But again, if you have a pair of pants that fit “perf”, you can simply measure those, laid out flat on a table, rather than measuring your own inseam.
Write these measurements down on a sticky note and post it on the side of your monitor 
That way, when you shop on-line, you’ll have them handy.
If you’re buying from an on-line company that doesn’t list measurements, drop them a note and ask. At least for us, we’re happy to provide more information. Some sites don’t think a upper arm measurement in a long sleeve garment is important. Generally, it’s not. But for a woman who has larger biceps or a “fattier” upper arm, this could be crucial. So if it’s not listed, ask! Most businesses want you to be happy and come back for more so they’ll take the time to work with you. At least we will!
Most of our Spring stuff is now listed. We went heavy on the tie dye dresses, tie dye tops and have some really interesting and different tie dye skirts too! We bought way more styles than normal, but the thing is, we bought less of each than usual too. So things should go fast around here.
We have some really different skirts we’re getting ready to post. They are the gypsy DEEP VEE style (great for dancing) that we always carry, but on these, the bottoms all have tie dye “spinners”. Watch for those as we just got them steamed and shot and are in the process of loading them up.
Remember, we hand pick everything at funkygarb.com!
One last news flash! The real funkygarb.com for the funkiest clothes on the planet is now trademarked. We were asked recently about a website with a domain funky-garb.com (notice the dash) that is for sale. As part of a package, we paid a company to buy that domain, revamp our site on that one and then our plan was to flip everything back over to funkygarb.com. Well, let’s just say they took our money and after months and months, we gave up and chalked it up to learning an expensive lesson. So now we’re working to get OUR temporary domain name back since, as part of our receipt, thankfully this was documented. Now to get WIPO to respond. I pity the fool (as Mr. T would have said) who purchases that domain name, as it truly belongs to us and we’re sure it will be rightfully returned after our documentation is reviewed. So not only did we pay a wad of sweaty money for that domain and improved website, but the company not only took our money and ran, but now, built the site out somewhat and are attempting to make even MORE money selling it twice. (We already paid for it and now that we used another company, they are attempting to “re-sell” what we already paid for without returning our money.
When the funky-(dash) garb website went on the sale block, this company pinched all of our descriptions and linked to all of our photos as part of their sales pitch. We pitched one of our own and it was taken down….but not before we captured screen shots in case we must do battle in court.
So will the real funkygarb please stand up? Yep, that would be us!
Boy, Vegas was hopping! It probably still is. I didn’t stay thru the end of the week when things break up.
I saw some beautiful stuff for Spring and Summer and even Winter. But I’ve taken to NOT ordering out so far in advance so we ordered a lot of new Spring and Summer garb. Some of it is ready to ship so you’ll be seeing some of this new garb on the site real soon.
Boy, tie dye is still alive and well. I’m thankful for that, since at funkygarb I try to put a new twist on an old vibe with what I sell here.
All in all, the shows were fun and people were BUYING…and buying lots of stuff. That was a good sign!
Look for new hippie and gypsy garb soon!
We’re heading for the huge clothing shows in Las Vegas soon. We do Spring ordering in the Fall, but at these shows coming up, there’s a lot of new Spring/Summer clothing available that wasn’t at the Fall shows.
While we still scour for funky tie dye, we’re also on the prowl for any retro hippie clothing.
I love that urban hippie look!
We’ve also got new stuff coming in from Maria de Guadalajara. If you like the old Boho Peasant look of the late 60’s, this stuff is for you. There’s one minor detail from then to now though…and that is the quality. The old hand wash drip dry 60’s peasant garb is long gone. Throw Maria’s stuff in the washer and dryer. Shazam! That’s progress!
Happy Hippie Spring!
Yikes! Where does the time go? We’re pretty sure if we mail priority mail on Saturday, December 19th, we can get your items to you by Christmas. AND if you wait too long and you want to use FEDEX or 2 Day guaranteed mail via the USPS, just drop us a note and we’ll quote you a price and we will mail it however you’d like.
Why buy retro clothing for gift giving? Everyone knows someone who is an “old soul” or “born too late” or some such. I missed the “hippie movement” myself (and I’m sure my Mother was glad she didn’t have to fetch me from Berkley at a bra burning rally). We at funky garb have always wanted to dress differently than the “norm”. We’ve made our own norm with lots of peasant looks, layering and the like.
If you know someone with a “hippie heart” our clothing makes the most awesome and unexpected gifts! Questions, we’re always around. Just ask!
Looking for something specific? We started this gig for a few musicians that wanted “stage” wear. Not too far out, just different enough to show their artsy streak. Chances are we can find what you need. Then again, we stock A LOT. When you shop our website you need 2 hours and a cup of tea. But for anything you don’t see, if we can’t get it we may know where you can. And we like to be “helpers” too. It’s not just about the “Benjamin’s” .
If you’re old enough, you’ll remember the old “rayon”. I specifically remember that fabric being used for men’s Hawaiian shirts. Honestly? The fabric was so awful you could have raised it up and used a Hawaiian shirt as a mainsail on your sailboat! Ah, so much has changed!
Today, we love rayon. Although it usually requires cold water washing, and often by hand, rayon has several different “hands”, making it a very versatile fabric! The rayon clothing we buy comes mainly from India. This rayon fabric breathes. Although it’s a living product, chemicals are used in the process. But the result is that rayon, as a fabric, breathes. Heavier, sort of brushed rayon makes a great Fall/Winter pant, while the semi sheer rayon makes gorgeous nice soft feminine trim on dresses, skirts and blouses.
If we can’t get it in cotton, we’ll settle for rayon as our next best bet. And here’s a tip. Did you speed wash and brutally machine dry your rayon hippie pants? Remember I said this is sort of a natural fabric to begin with? Well, if you managed to shrink up your fave hippie pants, get the iron and the board out. Fill your iron with water and steam press your drawers. You’ll see as you press, that you can stretch back in the missing length or width. How cool is that? You may not get it all, but if your length shrunk up on you in hot water, you’ll be able to get most of it back. How do we know this timely tip? Because there are men in our lives who like to, once in a while, “help” with the laundry. (To the Moon, AL!)
Maria de Guadalajara has arrived at funkygarb! Why do we love this stuff? It’s a nice thick stone washed cotton. It can be washed and dried in the dryer and it’s already pre-shrunk. It’s a great traveler since you really don’t have to iron like Flax. Most of the pieces are mix and match by color and style. We love that. PLUS many of these bohemian Mexican peasant styles go with stuff you already have in your closet. What a bonus!
And for the first time, we have an acid washed color: Brown. Actually the company calls this their “snow” process. It’s beautiful.
We have 2 pant styles, a split skirt, and asymmetrical 2 piece dress outfit that’s to die for, a couple different jackets and blouses. All the colors we chose inter-mingle. Keep an eye out. It’ll take us a few days for the photo shoot.
Once you try on Maria de Guadalajara peasant pieces, you may never want another brand!
Keep it here on funkygarb.com’s blog…for the funkiest clothes on the planet!
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