Customer Care & FAQs
Delivery
All UK orders will be dispatched primarily by Royal Mail (otherwise by Hermes).
Orders will be posted by the next day, if ordered by 1pm Monday to Friday.
If ordered on a Saturday by 4pm, items will be posted on the following Monday (excluding Bank holidays).
If ordered after 4pm Saturday or, on a Sunday, items will be posted the following Tuesday.
All deliveries are tracked and need to be signed for.
UK
Standard delivery 2-3 working days - £3.60
Next Day Delivery, guaranteed by 1pm - £6.75
Free standard delivery on orders over £75.
International Delivery
Most international orders are sent using Royal Mail. Please allow up to 10 working days for international deliveries.
Europe - £12.10
United States & Canada - £16.60
World zone 1 - £18.80
World Zone 2 - £20.85
Free delivery on orders over £125.
Collection
Items can be collected in store Tuesday to Saturday with prior arrangement, so please call 07308 474313 or send me an email.
Refund Policy
I do my best to be 100% transparent, accurately describing the condition of each item and with any imperfections noted.
If you find the item has not been accurately described and you would like a refund, please notify via email within 48 hrs of receipt, stating the discrepancy.
Post back the item via a tracked delivery service within 7 days for a full refund or, within one calendar month for a 50% refund.
Proof of postage and tracking is required where the delivery of returned items has been delayed. We are happy to offer styling advice and more suitable options to replace your returned item at the store or via online shopping.
If you find the item has not been accurately described and you would like a refund, please notify via email within 48 hrs of receipt, stating the discrepancy.
Post back the item via a tracked delivery service within 7 days for a full refund or, within one calendar month for a 50% refund.
Proof of postage and tracking is required where the delivery of returned items has been delayed. We are happy to offer styling advice and more suitable options to replace your returned item at the store or via online shopping.
To receive a refund, items must be unworn and in a saleable condition with original tags still attached. Please do not try on these items when wearing perfume, where there is smoke or if you have just applied make-up, body lotion, deodorant etc. that is likely to cause marks or odours.
Fabulist Costume does not pay for the return postage.
Return Address
Fabulist Costume,
Unit 11-12 Wood Street Indoor Market,
100 Wood Street,
London E17 3HX,
United Kingdom
Fit and Sizing
Please note that vintage sizing is smaller than contemporary sizing, so the original label, if it is still intact, will probably have a smaller size than the size given on this site. The older the items the smaller the sizing. So, for:
90’s - expect at least one size smaller
80’s - expect at least two sizes smaller
70’s - expect at least three sizes smaller
Sizing labels did not generally appear until 1971 along with the introduction of care labels.
Some items maybe also be from another country where a different sizing system is applied. A US size 8 for example, maybe equivalent to a UK size 12.
Some items are handmade and will have no labels at all, so sizing may be more irregular, e.g. size 6 on top and a 10 on the bottom. Where bottom half and top half sizes vary greatly, I will note accordingly.
A size guide is given below.
Women's
| UK Size | EUR Size | Waist | Hips | Bust |
| 6 (XS) | 34 | 24-26" | 32-34" | 30-32" |
| 8 (S) | 36 | 26-28" | 34-36" | 32-34" |
| 10 (S/M) | 38 | 28-30" | 36-38" | 34-36" |
| 12 (M) | 40 | 30-32" | 38-40" | 36-38" |
| 14 (M/L) | 42 | 32-34" | 40-42" | 38-40" |
| 16 (L) | 44 | 34-36" | 42-44" | 40-42" |
| 18 (L/XL) | 46 | 36-38" | 44-46" | 42-44" |
| 20 (XL) | 48 | 38-40" | 46-48" | 44-46" |
| 22 (XL/2XL) | 50 | 40-43" | 48-51" | 46-48" |
| 24 (2XL) | 52 | 43"-46" | 51-53" | 48-51" |
Men’s
| UK Size | Collar | Chest | Waist | Seat |
| 32 (XS) | 13-14" | 32-34" | 26-28" | 33-35" |
| 34 (S) | 14-14.5" | 34-36" | 28-30" | 35-37" |
| 36 (S/M) | 14.5-15" | 36-38" | 30-32" | 37-39" |
| 38 (M) | 15-15.5" | 38-40" | 32-34" | 39-41" |
| 40 (M/L) | 15.5-16" | 40-42" | 34-36" | 41-43" |
| 42 (L) | 16-16.5" | 42-44" | 36-38" | 43-45" |
| 44 (L/XL) | 16.5-17" | 44-46" | 38-40" | 45-47" |
| 46 (XL) | 17-17.5" | 46-48" | 40-42" | 47-49" |
| 48 (XL/2XL) | 17.5-18" | 48-50" | 42-44" | 49-51" |
| 50 (2XL) | 18-18.5" | 50-52" | 44-46" | 51-53" |
Width measurements are made when lying the item flat, which is then doubled.
For items where there is stretch in the fabric, We give the maximum measurement as well as the measurement when the fabric is relaxed.
Where items are very loose/oversized, We note accordingly and the sizing may be given in letter format, XS - 2XL.
I don’t have a separate categories for men and women however, sizing systems do. The gender of the size guide referring to each item is found in the description box.
Can I try an item on before I buy online?
You can visit the physical shop. If you want to try on at home, you will need to purchase the item first and adhere to the guidelines above in case of return. Alternatively, you can arrange a video call to look at items remotely. Please call 07308 474313 or send an email to make these arrangements.
Can I hire any of the items online?
Fabulist provides a full hiring service from the physical shop. Hire prices are approximately one third the full sale price. You are required to pay the remaining two thirds as a deposit, which is refunded on the safe return of the item. If you would like to hire an item online, please contact directly by phone on 07308 474313 or email info@fabulistcostume.com and we will do our best to arrange something for you.
Do you buy items from customers?
Fabulist considers exceptional and unusual pieces for the collection. Please email with photos and details to info@fabulistcostume.com
What if I don’t receive my item?
All items are tracked and need to be signed for, so if an item is lost in delivery it will be covered by compensation and you may apply for a full refund.
Why is there no separate category for men and women?
Many people wear clothes that were originally designed for another gender both for practical and aesthetic reasons. If you like a garment and it fits you, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy wearing it, at least on certain occasions.
Can I still search for items originally designed for men or women?
Yes, you can still do a search for “dress” or “mens trousers” for example, when looking for specific items.
Are all items in the collection Vintage?
Strictly speaking the term vintage applies to any item that is more than 20 years old (from the French vingt âge, meaning age 20). Most of the items in the collection are older than 20 years, however a few are more contemporary and have been included because they are retro in style and/or are particularly interesting, unique pieces. The approximate age is always noted in the description. Any Items made from scratch are done so using recycled fabrics and embellishments, whenever possible.
What condition are the items in?
Most items are in good to excellent condition. Some may show signs of wear due to age, meaning for example, the fabric may have faded or stitching may be visible at the seams. Where there are any marks or holes, or other imperfections, I will always note accordingly. Some items, particularly the vintage theatre items, can be quite distressed but, will still hold an aesthetic appeal and value. Any damage to the item will also be reflected in the price.
Are the items clean?
All items have been dry cleaned, with exception to a few heavily embellished gowns, that require specialist cleaning. In cases like this, it will be noted accordingly and the customer will have the option to pay extra for the dry cleaning. N.B. This may add up to 2 weeks to delivery time.
What if I can’t find what I want in my size at Fabulist?
Fabulist Costume provides a Personal Shopping service where I can source items for you in the style you want. It is rare to find vintage items in larger sizes, so often I will source reproductions or retro style clothing to achieve a desired look.
Please call 07308 474313 or send an email to make these arrangements.