Suz, I do have a good amount more luck when I order from familiar brands or am really careful about checking size charts. Sometimes (and this was the case with Quince), I find myself on the edge of a size range and unable to size up, so I take a chance. Often, it works out, but sometimes it doesn't. Live and learn. And, of course, sometimes size charts are just flat-out wrong!
Tanya, those all seem like perfectly reasonable returns, and those sorts of issues are ones that you just couldn't have guessed without trying the items in person!
Style Fan, that's fantastic!
Sloper, that dress looks gorgeous. I bet it was bittersweet returning it, even knowing the multiple reasons why it didn't work.
Sal, recirculating secondhand items is a great solution because, if they were nice enough for you to buy, chances are good someone else will find them appealing too. My in-laws do the same with books, purchasing them at Goodwill for fifty cents or a dollar, and donating them back when finished.
Diana, interesting that both items had similar issues!
The Cat, I'd thought that striped shell might be a gateway for adding some color variety to my summer wardrobe, but it didn't work out, which is fine. Congrats on your good purchase luck this year!
shevia, that article looks great! I've bookmarked it to go back to.