How To Choose The Right Size When Shopping For Clothes Online?

Online shopping has been embraced by customers worldwide. It is an extremely convenient option as you can remove the stress out of browsing through scattered clothes, commuting long distances, and waiting outside trial rooms. Clothes online are almost always offered at lower rates than those in physical stores.

While the pros of online shopping are plenty, some new customers may worry about how the clothes would fit them and the return or exchange process that ensues. With a little foresight, you may be able to reduce the probability of returns and exchanges. Let's find out what to look for before you select the size of your favourite clothing item.

Measure yourself correctly

Every brand has different size guides. You might be a size 6 in one brand and size 4 in another. Then there are brands with vanity sizes too. Therefore, for removing inconsistencies, always rely on your body measurements rather than the size of clothes you have previously bought. The latter can be a good strategy, provided you are going for the same brand again. Jot down the measurements of your figure and keep it ready while glancing through clothes online. The best way to measure is to use a soft tape that is not crinkled. It is also essential to take measurements with only innerwear so that you get an idea about the exact fit of clothes you plan to buy.

Use assistance for appropriate measurements

Taking the measurements of your body by yourself can be a hassle. Ask a family or a friend to take the correct measurements. If you don't have a measuring tape, use a flexible material like a string or an object that you already know the measure of. Ensure that you are standing in the correct position. If you require further precision, get yourself measured from a neighbourhood tailor. If you select men's garments, gather the arm and sleeve measurements, neck, chest, waist, and inseam measurements appropriately. For women's clothes, measure the sizes of the bust, hips, and waist correctly. Also, keep checking your measurements periodically to take into account any change in body shape.

Surf through the size charts

Every online clothes retailer has information regarding the size of the garments on the respective website. The size charts provide detailed information about a particular size category. For instance, size 'Small' includes 28-32 cms, 'Large' consists of 38-44 cms, etc. Most importantly, different brands make clothes differently. For example, a 36 Gucci size might fit you perfectly, whereas a 36 size Armani might not. On rare occasions, the fit varies across clothing items, even if they belong to the same brand. It would help if you remembered to check the stats of the model and the body type to accurately gauge how the piece of cloth will look on you. Nowadays, there are specific applications and websites like Zara wherein you can feed in your stats and get the correct size for the brand you want to buy. You can tally the size chart of your respective country with the manufacturing country's standard size and order your clothes accordingly. Some websites also offer custom fits if you don't want to risk ordering the wrong size.

Consider the material and style that you are buying

The fit of a cloth also depends on the material and style of the clothing item. Do look carefully at the product description and see if you have worn that material or style before. Take into account any changes in body shape. A straight cut will fit differently than a flared cloth. Some materials tend to shrink, so it's always better to size up. On the other hand, materials like spandex and elastane sit stiffly on the body and are stretchable at the same time. Some items are also a mixture of materials. In that case, check which material constitutes a larger part of the cloth on the label. More often than not, many people are in between sizes. For smaller sizes, check whether the manufacturer offers some margin for loosening it up. However, when in doubt, size up, as it's easier to alter a larger item.

Look for shops with suitable refunds and exchange options

Buy clothes from online shops with convenient refunds and exchange policies. You can buy two garments of the same design of two different sizes. You can keep the one that fits you perfectly and return the one that does not. Similarly, opt for online shops that create no hassles while refunding your money. Moreover, ensure that the online shops you are purchasing from exchanges your non-fitting clothes flexibly (absence of rigid time-frame and policies and free returns). It's always better to stick to particular brands you have tried before.

Check out product reviews and pictures

The comment section of various online garment websites has multiple reviews from customers. Filter the comment section to choose the 'size' option and read customers' opinions regarding a garment's measurements. Moreover, these online retail websites upload various pictures of garments from different angles. These pictures help you form a fair idea about fitting a particular garment as you know the measurements of your body the best.

Taking the above factors into account will help you choose a fitting garment that enhances your look the best. If at all there's a discrepancy in size, despite exercising all precautions, you can always get it altered from your local tailor.

Choosing the right size for your garments online is hassle-free and convenient today. As long as you shop at websites with good return and exchange policies, you're all covered.