What are your try-on tests? - YouLookFab Forum

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About: Sit-Down Tests To Ensure Good Fit

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What are your try-on tests?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Good thing Angie remembered to sit down in the plaid pants or the fun would’ve been very short-lived. Given the length that I like my skirts, a sit-down test is important for me too. Extra fabric is usually an advantage there. Blue Jay mentioned raising arms overhead in shirts/jackets/dresses. I quite agree that it’s important.
What tests do you do when you try on various items?

Shopping

16 replies

Latest reply was from Gigi

unfrumped

Veteran

I have a lot, but one in particular is about how shirt or sweater hems fit and fall over the hips, based on my shape ( those intended to be worn untucked and to fall mid- hip, or maybe longer shirttail look). fit. And this overlaps with arm- raising tests.
It’s not uncommon for a top or to look fine when first put on, and look roomy enough in hip area, but then walking or moving it rides up in back ( maybe a lot) so the whole intended rear view is lost.
Essential I often need the slightest A- line, (or intentional bigger shoulder fit for sizing up) but too much can veer into a frumpier look than I like, or too flowy or tunic- like for me.
This effect also depends on pant fabric and bulk. So again, something might work well with specific bottoms but not be versatile for mix& match or trip capsule.

It’s not that I expect to never ever have to straighten out my tops in back- it’s a matter of degree and also roles and goals.
But it’s a main reason for regretting some purchases or not reaching for something.
I am increasingly editing for garments I can “ trust” under a variety of circumstances.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have to be able to walk fast in everything and pick Sam up. That’s my arm test!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I do the sit down test (when I remember!) I also do the walk test -- if I can't stride in it, I won't wear it, and that even applies to dressier items.
I sometimes do a self-hug test (to ensure shoulder fit has enough ease for me). And with tops that have lower or looser necklines, I bend over to see if the top slips too much from side to side or shows too much down the front when bending.

But the mirror test and photo test are also excellent for picking up aspects of fit I might not have noticed!

kkards

Veteran

Especially on vnecks and wide crew necks, the bend over test...how much do i expose and am i comfortable with that exposure
for shoes the simple walk test..does my foot slip out, do i curl my toes to keep the shoe on

Runcarla

Veteran

Squat, bend over, hug, and run/walk! (Pretend I’m running to catch a plane at the airport! LOL!).

I have a square of old white denim in my purse, and I’ll sometimes rub it on the hem of an item to test for dye transfer.

Helena

Veteran

Carla's airport test checklist! I've also learned to physically feel whether the shoulder seam is wide enough, since I have a bit of inverted triangle that screws up my sweater fitting sometimes.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

My checklist:

Give myself a big hug (so I know the shoulders aren't too tight)

Fling my arms open wide like I want a big hug (so I know if the bust is going to gape open, or if the sleeves are going to do anything weird)

Sit down

Bend over and pick something up

Bonus points if I can do a downward dog or hamstring stretch in the item.

If the item is a pencil skirt, I bring a knee up, to duplicate stairs or climbing into my SUV. I have a closet full of pencil skirts with hand-repaired back vents.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Abit like Carla,the full physical workout as long as I don’t break into a sweat!

Joyce B

Veteran

I also do the sitting test and walk around as though I am in a rush. Those usually reveal any existing problems with garments. I learned that the hard way.
For footwear, in addition to walking around I go up and down the stairs as though I am in a rush. If I am happy/comfortable to run down the stairs in new shoes or boots, they are then keepers.
If footwear passes the above test, I test it on wet floor, in particular if the soles are meant to be non-slip, I make sure to test that before deciding to keep.

jacquez

My fit tests are very much like Mary Beth's! Certain items (for example outdoor gear) get harder tests -- lunges, vigorous twisting and reaching, squats.

Irina

Veteran

Bend my knees to check if fabric on pants is prone to excessive stretching. In tops with buttons, move my arms to see if a closure on my chest is gaping. Put hands in pockets- must be comfortable and not tight.

Marlene1

Not a fit test, but I always crumple a bit of the garment to see how the fabric wrinkles. Wrinkles aren't always a deal-breaker, but I want to know before I buy.

Joy

Veteran

I do the sit down test with skirts and dresses and now will add pants, especially anything that has slits. I also do a bend over test with any low or loose necklines. I check to see if arm holes are too big or too low. This is a common problem as I would rather have regular sizes than petites for the added length.
I do a stride-quickly-around-the-floor test when buying shoes to see if they are comfortable and my feet stay in, no toes touch the front or edge and nothing rubs anywhere. I want them to feel comfortable right out of the box. If there is arch support, is it in the right place? Some brands like Clark’s usually have the support in the wrong spot. I learned the hard way that is a fast way to hurt feet on a trip that required lots of city walking.

cindysmith

Veteran

Squatting and bending to check for plumbers crack with pants. I test tops and jackets by reaching forward like I'm driving as car, because lots of things seem to fit until I get in my car :-/

Cee

Veteran

I like to do a run through the jungle.

Gigi

Veteran

Joy, I too watch for the placement of the arch in shoes. That can cause a lot of pain!

When trying on button-downs, I will view myself from the side while moving around to make sure there's no gaping at the bust.

For tops, if they're a style that I might tuck, I try to tuck them straightaway. If I can't get the material to look good in a tuck or semituck, then it's probably going back on the rack.

ETA: For tailored items like jackets, I do the self-hug test others have mentioned. I also view the back of the jacket in the mirror to make sure that the shoulder seams hit in the right spot.