Guess Vintage 90s Black Bodycon Mini Slip Strappy Dress UK8/S Y2K Fitted Evening Club Wedding Glam

Guess was founded in Los Angeles in 1981 by the Marciano brothers, and it began in denim. One of their first designs was a stonewashed, slim fitting jean with zips at the ankle, the 3-zip Marilyn. Guess Originals, the line that reworks pieces from the brand's own archive, launched in 2016. What we look for is the 90s and Y2K end of it: bodycon minis, baby tees, denim dresses, low-rise jeans with the inverted triangle on the pocket.

So far that has meant a black slip mini, a denim mini dress and a baby tee.

How the sizes run

We measure every piece flat, in inches, and photograph the labels. The Guess labels we have handled run small against today's UK sizes. The 90s black slip dress is labelled S and measured 14.5 inches across the bust, 29 round, with a 13 inch waist; with the stretch it fits a UK 6 to 8. The blue denim off-shoulder dress is an XS, 15 inches across the bust, 30 round, same 13 inch waist, so a UK 4 to 6 and a small UK 8.

The baby tee is the odd one out. It is labelled UK 14, yet it measured 16.5 inches across the bust, 33 round, and 20 inches long. We pinned it on a UK 8 for the photos. So on a 14 it wears as a fitted tee, and on smaller sizes it sits looser than a baby tee usually does. All three are stretchy, so the flat numbers are the resting size and each will give a little.

What to check on a second-hand Guess piece

Label style and country of manufacture are what we look at first; the 90s black slip dress we measured is a Guess Jeans USA piece. Then the fabric. Stretch denim on a bodycon dress should pull back when you let go, and if it stays baggy at the seat the elastane has gone. On a slip dress, look for bobbling under the arms and check the stitching at the top of each strap. On a baby tee, fold the printed logo and look for cracking.

Stretch is the thing to test on all three.

Do vintage Guess sizes match today's? Often not; the Guess pieces we have measured come up small, so go by the measured bust, waist and length and compare with something you own.

How can I tell a 90s Guess piece from a recent one? As far as we have seen, the label style and the country of manufacture are the quickest tells, and we photograph both in each listing.

What does delivery cost on a Guess piece at Kitanesque? £3.95 under £40 and free on orders of £40 or more, Royal Mail Tracked 48. You get 14 days to change your mind and another 14 to post it back, at your own postage cost. More on our shipping and returns page.

If you are between two sizes, put your bust, waist and hip into Will it fit? and it checks them against each Guess piece.

Labels and tags from Guess pieces that have passed through this table.