Assessing the Fit of a Garment

I'm finding that all too often, when trying things on in a fitting room, I don't look carefully enough at the fit. I get caught up in some other aspect and don't look at the fit really critically until I get home.

#1 the dress I got recently at Antropologie. Upon further inspection at home, the armholes are way too big and cut in too deeply. I thought a racerback bra would take care of it, but it didn't. Call me old school, but I don't like to have my bra showing and I don't really want to put my underarm area (and a bit of side-boob) so obviously on display. I already tried the next larger size and it didn't make much of a difference. Why did I not see this?

#2 and 3 (in the navy/pink version) ...these two blouses fit ok in the shoulder, and need to be hemmed, but the sleeve lengths are way too long. I didn't notice the sleeve length and it's pretty obvious. With all these fit issues it goes beyond alteration into "complete makeover" and I don't love either one enough to put in the time or pay someone else to do it. These fit issues didn't register with me until I found #4 the lighter colored blouse below ...which fits much better and only needs to be hemmed. (I'm liking the lighter print better too.)

Do any of you do this? What do you think is going on and how to get beyond it? I'd love to hear what you think. My favorite theory is that I'm a "return-aholic", meaning I always want to take something home even if I have not looked at it that carefully, so I have an excuse for another shopping trip:-)

Thanks in advance....

Anthropologie

Maeve Lilt Swing Dress

$118.00 $49.95

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

Nordstrom

High/Low V-Neck Blouse (Regular & Petite) (Nordstrom Exclusive)

$68.00 $14.97

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

Nordstrom

Tie Neck Peasant Blouse (Regular & Petite)

$48.00

View Info

Top Pick

Nordstrom

Lucky Brand 'Paisley Garden' Split Neck Top

$89.50 $53.70

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

8 years ago

Ginger

Veteran

Yep! Sometimes I can get caught up in the overall effect and miss some deal-breaking points. But usually, the detail that makes the garment less than satisfactory is something I hadn't considered before. Armholes like this would be a great example; I very very rarely buy sleeveless, so I'm simply not used to checking for how much is visible through the armhole.

The good thing is that I do learn from stuff like this. Something like checking short skirts. Somehow they always look longer in the dressing room mirrors - even multiple mirrors - than they do at home. So I've trained myself to be more critical of the skirt length before I buy.

Anonymous

Armholes, overall length, and fit (boxy vs. body skimming) are the things I look for the most, but I have bought tops before that weren't so great once I took the tags off. I've learned to be more discerning, and I'm glad I finally broke down and bought a full-length mirror.

rachylou

I get sloppy because I want to get out. Also, those cramped rooms and bad lighting and I swear shopping makes me balloon up or something. It helps to have a checklist of fit tests.

texstyle

(website)

Sure, this happens to me too - I sometimes get hurried or I wore the wrong bra, etc. I don't like bras showing either, big pet peeve. I even buy colored bras to wear with certain sleeveless tops just in case. Of course if the armholes are really too deeply cut, it's not an option. I've tried altering a couple of tops, but I'm no seamstress so I don't like to go that route and there are no options near me to use.

rabbit

I'm a a bit of a return-aholic too, for the reasons you mention. It's just hard to see everything about a garment at once, especially when I'm still developing an eye. I look back on some past shopping mistakes, where I got certain parts right - like the color and texture, but overlooked certain parts - like that the collar was dated or that a straight bottom hem on an oversized top isn't a great look for me. The good thing is I think we all learn from experience, but it's an ongoing process, not an all-at-once thing.

There are things people talk about on here, like sleeve attachment styles and how flattering they are on certain builds, that are still a complete mystery to me. I also think I'm still a bit hazy on the differences between high rise and medium rise jeans (at least as they appear on labels in retail). Pocket placement on jeans and shirts is another thing I find confusing to judge pro or con. Things like blazer fit are well out of my area of knowledge so I hope for the best and try to remember to do K/R here in the future when shopping for them. I'm very laissez faire about necklines as well, and have a sneaking feeling with my neck length I maybe should avoid turtlenecks although I like them.

kerlyn

Oh yes! Items can look so different in the fitting room than they do at home! I find I'm returning a lot these days. It seems like I get the item home, try it on with different shoes or whatnot, and so often I wonder what in the world I was thinking? I think part of it is...at home you're relaxed, have a bit more time, and can try on different options with the item. I like to think that I'm educating my eye every time I do this!

jill58

I return things all the time and the excuse for another shopping trip is all too true! I never decide on anything completely until I look at it at home. Some stores seem to have particularly flattering lighting and mirrors (as opposed to what rachylou said about "cramped rooms and bad lighting" which is also sometimes true). Not only that, my decision making skills can't always be relied on when I'm in a store. All to often I buy random things that don't really work with the rest of my clothes, or that might work if I led a totally different kind of life. Trying to get better about that. In any case I never consider a purchase final until I've tried it at home.

By the way, I love that dress but even on the model the armholes seem too big--I guess that's just the way it's cut but I wouldn't feel comfortable with that either.

Mauvish

Active Member

I completely understand you Chris. And I do it all the time. and I agree with rabbit's list of things too.

Like ginger , may be we need to train our eyes ( this is another area of issue, I just see something is off but do not exactly know what how to fix it )
and keep a list of things handy to check a wardrobe item.

Sorry not very helpful reply -- but I too, like you, want to make not successful purchases.

DonnaF

Did you buy the Nordstrom items with a Nordstrom card? You get $100/year in free alterations (paid back in Nordstrom rewards) if you are at Level 1, more at higher levels. I have had a number of sleeves altered that way; I think it is $20 if the item was on sale. The amount may be lower if you paid full price.

Janet

Guilty, but getting better. By the time I size up on many things to fit my hips and boobs, the rest is less than stellar. Sometimes all it takes is some tailoring (I get a lot of blouses taken in along the sides through the waist), but seeing these things in the fitting room is the first line of defense.

At least I no longer buy too-short jeans and pants.

Chris987

Thanks for all the replies, you are all so right that it is a journey not an all-at once and perfection is not a reasonable goal I'm good with that, I'm not a perfectionist. I think I'm just impatient because I'm pretty dissatisfied with most of the stuff in my closet right now. However, even if I had an unlimited budget and could shop every day I wouldn't necessarily get to a better wardrobe right away. First world, problem, I know

DonnaF yes I did buy with a Nordstrom card, but I've been dissatisfied with Nordstrom alterations in the past. They were executed ok (the stitching was fine etc) but the person who did them didn't really create that good a fit on me. But thanks for the reminder, I had forgotten that they do free alterations if you spend enough $$ with them.

Janet my experiences are just like yours. I have tended to wear more knit tops (forgiving fit) and structured button down shirts (I've found some brands that fit well) in recent years, but I'm trying blouses now and they seem harder to fit.

I guess if I there is anything I am definitely learning it's to always "sleep on it" and let the decision process take a few days if it has to.

I appreciate all the input and suggestions!

Firecracker (Sharan)

That's a bummer, but at least you realize the issues while returns are still possible. I find I make fewer and fewer of these mistakes, after learning from past ones. It still happens, though. And here's a common trap I get into: I'm trying on a bunch of things, and nothing seems quite right, it's just a string of disappointments. So when something does appeal to me, I'm seeing it in comparison to a bunch of definite "no's" and it looks better than it would if I were judging it simply on its own merits. And sometimes I just really want something to work, so I overlook the elements that don't.

Lyn D.

I am usually OK with fit issues, but function often gets overlooked when I really like a particular item.
It is only when I have it at home and it doesn't seem to 'fit-in' with my closet, or goes unworn that I realise it is not going to be right for me!

Category