In the last decade, e-shopping has experienced tremendous growth as more and more people choose to purchase online rather than visit physical stores. This is especially true when shopping for clothes. Besides offering maximum convenience and opportunities to compare prices and products effortlessly, online clothes shopping also provides a wide selection (from coats, to wellies to nightgowns), great deals, and faster transactions. You can even buy from international retailers in the comfort of your own home.
While shopping for clothes online offers numerous advantages, it does have its downside. Because you cannot try the outfits on before buying, there is a chance that you will purchase ill-fitting pieces. Sadly, this issue is quite common. According to a recent survey conducted by a US-based market research firm, 58 percent of online clothing consumers return their purchases because they do not fit properly.
Perhaps you’ve had a similar experience and it has prevented you from buying more outfits online. Or maybe you are an online shopping newbie concerned about purchasing the wrong clothing size. Whatever your reason is for being extra cautious about fit when shopping for clothes on the internet, read on. This article will discuss practical tips to help you order clothes that fit perfectly, plus pointers on how to avoid the most common online clothes shopping mistakes.
How to Shop for Clothes That Fit Well When Buying Online
Do you want to increase your chances of getting the right clothing size every time you purchase clothes online? If so, consider the following tips:
Know Your Measurements
To find clothing pieces that fit, make sure you know your size before looking at different shops. Get a measuring tape and take the time to measure your body proportions carefully instead of referring to the size labels of your favorite outfits. The specific measurements for each size will vary across different brands, so relying on labels can be highly inaccurate.
Are you wondering what areas to measure? Consider the type and style of clothing you want to purchase. For instance, if you plan to shop leggings or pants online, measure your waist, hips, and inseam. For tops and dresses, you may need to take measurements of your shoulders, chest (bust), and arm loops. Consider searching for a step-by-step guide on the internet to learn how you can take accurate measurements or, better yet, seek assistance from a professional seamstress. Remember to take note of your numbers so you can refer to them every time you buy online.
Pay Attention to the Size Guide
Practically all clothing stores provide a size guide on their website or product description to help customers select the right size and minimize order returns. Make sure to take advantage of this information. Compare the measurements provided in the size chart against your body measurements to identify which size to order.
You may also want to check for additional details or recommendations to help you make an informed decision. Some online shops go the distance to explain size and fit in detail. Sharing information like, “This dress works best for A to C cup sizes” or “Curvier women should consider sizing up for full hips” will give you a better idea of how a garment might fit your body. Though these details aren’t as specific as measurements, they can help you select a size that will fit you best.
Get Clues from Customer Reviews
Customer reviews contain valuable information about the clothes you want to purchase, from quality and design to color and size. As such, take the time to read the comments instead of merely checking the ratings. Look for feedback mentioning size, fit, or fabric quality to know if the clothing article fits true to size or runs larger or smaller.
Do not miss the uploaded photos or videos of verified customers either. Scan the images and see if there are people similar to your height and body shape, so you can get a better idea of how the outfit might look on you. These photos are more realistic and trustworthy than the professionally shot photos on the online store.
Check the Fabric Used
Aside from the actual measurements or size of the clothing, it is best to consider the material of the garment to know whether you have a bit of leeway in terms of size. Say you want to purchase skinny jeans, for example. Instead of ordering pairs made with regular denim, which is stiff and inflexible, you may want to search for skinny jeans made with fabric blended with spandex or a similar elastic material for added stretch. The stretchy fabric gives the skinny jeans more flexibility, so much so that they will fit well even if you ordered a slightly larger or smaller size.
Purchase from Retailers with Hassle-Free Return Policies
No matter how cautious you are, there is no guarantee that you will order clothes that fit perfectly every time. That is why it helps if you can return or exchange your purchased items in case you need to. Check the store’s returns and exchanges policy before hitting the check-out button. The last thing you want is to transact with online clothing stores that will make you jump through hoops before you can return an item, or worse, refuse to accommodate returns or offer refunds at all. To avoid wasting precious time and money, purchase clothing products from reputable businesses offering generous and hassle-free return policies.
Opt for the Larger Size If You Are Unsure
Perhaps you have checked the clothing store’s size guide against your body measurements, but you are still uncertain which size to choose. If that is the case, it is safer to go for the larger clothing size. After all, you can use accessories or experiment with styling to make a slightly bigger outfit work or fit better—unlike a smaller one. More importantly, you can always take a too-large garment to your local seamstress for adjustments.
4 Common Mistakes When Shopping for Clothes Online and How to Avoid Them
Now that you know how to shop for clothing items that will fit well, you may also want to learn some of the most common online clothes shopping mistakes many consumers make and how you can avoid them. That way, you can educate yourself, save money, purchase more efficiently, and prevent potential problems. From giving out your personal details to shopping mindlessly, here are online clothes shopping blunders you must avoid:
- Mistake 1: Saving credit card information on the clothing store's website. While saving your personal details when creating an account on retail websites may be more convenient for future purchases, the risks are not worth it. Someone can hack the website, steal your credit card information, and make fraudulent transactions using your name. Open an account without saving your credit card details, bank account number, or other sensitive information.
- Mistake 2: Failing to check shipping costs before buying. Make it a point to check the cost of shipping and other check-out fees before hitting the “buy now” button. Otherwise, there is a chance you will spend more money than you intended—especially if you purchase from stores overseas.
- Mistake 3: Shopping without a plan in mind. Be intentional when shopping for clothes online. Make a list of clothing items you need to purchase and search for items accordingly to save time, avoid unnecessary purchases, and stay on budget.
- Mistake 4: Not searching for deals and discounts. Some of the best things about shopping for clothes online is that you can compare prices and find attractive deals and discounts with a few clicks. Make sure to take advantage of these opportunities to save money by searching for deals, using coupon codes, and downloading clothes shopping apps to easily check prices across different stores.
Shopping for clothes that fit you perfectly when buying online is not easy. But with careful thought, experience, and the right strategies, you can increase your chances of getting the right clothing size. Take the pointers mentioned in this piece to heart, so you can enjoy all the advantages of buying clothes online with fewer worries and issues.
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