How do you decide if online items will fit you? - YouLookFab Forum

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How do you decide if online items will fit you?

Mochaccino

I don't mean choosing items from stores that don't bother to list measurements. That's a wild guess at best. How do you use measurement info to your advantage? Are there any rules you usually follow? For example, which measurements do you consider essential? How much info do you need to make a good decision? Also, what about shops that take the measurments of an item laid flat. Why can't you just double these measurements to get the 3D measurements? In my experience you can't. What are your tips?

Shopping

14 replies

Latest reply was from NK

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

I am sure that everyone has their own slightly different techniques. I think that about 20% of my current wardrobe is the result of online purchases (including ebay ones).

I use different variables and there are certain items that I very rarely buy online (trousers for example), you also have to accept that the margin for non-fit is going to be higher.

If free shipping and returns is on offer, I normally order the size I think that I am and then the one slightly bigger or smaller.

The other measurement that I take notice of is the length measurement for skirts, dresses and tops.

I also look at how it fits the model (I don't by items that are not presented on models). Models are always a lot smaller than me, normally a good 4 inches taller and are probably smaller chested. If it looks odd on them it will definitely look odd on me! I have long legs, so skirt fit on the model is normally about the same on me, but dress and top length is normally longer as my upper body is short.

I also like ordering from online stores that have short video clips of the items on a runway (Angie did a post about this), you can then see how it moves.

April

Veteran

I generally ignore the measurements since they so often bear no relation to the actual garments, but like Fi, I do pay attention the lengths listed on the site. Then I subtract a bit, since I'm usually buying a smaller size than what is pictured. In other words, if they say pants have a 31" inseam, I know that my size will be no more than 30" and will be suitable only for wearing with flats.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I do use the measurements as a guide but for me I have to allow for the following variation. All though I have a small waist I am very short waisted, the rise on my jeans hits a good six inches below my natural waist, I therefore measure the point at which my waistband on my trousers hits and use this figure instead of my waist measurement when buying skirts and trousers. I hope this makes a little sense.

MNsara

Veteran

What works the best for me is to have a similar item that I like the fit on me, then meaure it the same way (i.e. flat) and compare to their measurements.

I have a few 'fussy bits' (i.e. large upper arms, slightly broad upper back. larger thighs) that cause me trouble and I try to find out if the item runs small in those areas - I may need to size up, or skip it. I will contact their customer service for more info or to clarify info.

I am very skeptical about using a model photo for much help - they clip the clothing in the back more often than not, there's very little way of knowing if that model is tall or not, no way of knowing if they even put the proper size on the model in the first place.

There are a few items -- like jeans, coats, unknown shoes -- that I should NEVER order online because I am hard to fit and super fussy (I will try on more than one in the same size to see which one feels better!). Things like this I really need to order two sizes and only if I have a way to return for free -- like to a real store.

Mac

Veteran

I ALWAYS read the online reviews, if they exist. Although of course no one writing the reviews will have the exact same body as I, GOOD reviewers give information that can be helpful to others. So, if someone writes, "I'm 5"4 and this skirt barely covered my thighs," I know that it will probably not suit my 5"11-ish body. (I always try to write reviews of items I buy online, too - it's a wonderful opportunity to help other women make good style decisions!)

lynne

Veteran

Like Mac said, the reviews are usually very helpful. They can also help with deciding about the quality of the item, whether the fabric is too sheer, stiff, etc.

Maya

Veteran

In short: I decide if online items will fit me by ordering them and trying them. I know that's an annoying answer, but there is just no substitute. Aside from length, measurements just don't help. It isn't possible to measure volume or weight distribution with a measuring tape, nor does it account for stretch content. Reviews can sometimes help guide me, but I often find myself vehemently disagreeing with a lot of reviews after I get the garment in my hands. Shoes are especially tricky. I have read reviews for some of my favorite shoes from people claiming they are "too narrow," even though I have wide feet. If I just went by those reviews, I would have never even tried those shoes. People just have different issues and bodies so it doesn't help a lot. I often read reviews for things that don't fit in the bust, which is my problem area, but I take it with a grain of salt since I know most of those women are wearing the wrong bra size anyway.

Despite my problem area, I am actually quite small all the way around. Only 33" at the biggest point of the bust. But it is the distribution that sometimes makes things fit poorly. The way things fit me is very different from how they might fit someone who is also 33" but flat chested with a larger ribcage. It is just not possible to tell from measurements alone if something will fit.

I just bought a denim jacket from Ssense, which is based in Canada. The shipping was expensive, but I went for it anyway. I must have gone to at least a dozen B&M stores and came out emptyhanded. Online, all of the jackets I found that claimed to be cropped were 18-19" which is simply too long. This one was 15.25". I knew it would be hard to find another jacket that was cropped enough and came in the right wash, so I decided it was worth it.

Anonymous

I haven't done lots of ordering on-line, but more all the time. I copy the brand and style and paste it in Google to look for any reviews and to compare prices. Brands that I'm familar with feel like safer choices. I also check the size chart measurements to use as a guide and read the return procedure.

Louise

Veteran

I usually just order it in a couple of sizes then try them on. Like maya I find online measurements not particulary helpful except length. i do like the online video some stores have as it gives an idea of how it is supposed to fit and flow x

crwilson

Veteran

For me, it's always hit or miss. The measurements are often useless because, as Maya mentioned, they just don't take into account how different shapes are going to actually fit into the clothing. I have found that clothing from some stores just never fits and/or flatters (like Old Navy and Boden) me, so I just don't order from them, no matter how much I like an item. I think that the only way to tell is just to order and try it on. Soon enough, you'll have favorite online stores and you'll know what fits you.

taylor

Veteran

I try to stay within company's or labels that I am familiar with and already have items from, so I know how their clothes fit and what size works for me:)

Mac

Veteran

I love this thread! I do 95% of my clothes shopping online, and it's great to hear how the rest of you do it.

Isabel

Veteran

I also do most of my shopping online - I hate store shopping, which is why I am a terrible thrifter and discount shopper.

Like Louise, I will order two sizes if I am not familiar with the store. Once I am familiar with the brand, I have a good idea what to do. This unfortunately also plays into my personality of playing it safe....I buy the same thing over and over.

NK

I'm always scared to order things online because the sizes in my own closet vary so much.

One thing that's helped is going into multiple stores and just trying stuff on to get a vague idea of what my size is. I tried on some things at AT Loft, and the Gap in the past few weeks, and now I have a better idea of what sizes I would wear in those stores, and their 'sister stores', at least, I hope.

I learned the other day at Talbot's that I wear a certain size in a straight skirt there, but need 2 sizes smaller in an A-line skirt. That's good to know, and I'll remember that when I order from other stores.

I look at online photos more for color and detail than fit since I'm probably 6 inches shorter and 30 pounds heavier than most of the models shown.

For me, as a pear, hip measurement is usually the deciding factor, so if the given measurements are correct, (and I'm not lying to myself that day), I can sometimes order the correct size. Go figure.

I'm reluctant to order from stores with expensive shipping or that don't have brick and mortar stores I can return items to. Period.

Oooh, but wouldn't it be nice if online stores showed different women wearing the same items?! As in: "Here's the regular model, here's a short pear shaped woman wearing the same dress, and a tall rectangle, and an apple..."