How do you guys decide on what size clothing to buy when you’re shopping online.
There are a few online-only stores I’d like to try, but they don’t have free returns.
I usually only buy online if the store has a very detailed / accurate size chart for their clothes (some places have generic size charts where the actual clothes sizes don’t necessarily match).
Then I measure my body with a tape measure, and for a new place I make a small order usually with two sizes, usually of something I wouldn’t mind having both sizes for.
(As others have said, usually I order from places online that have easy return policies, e.g. pact allows me to bring the clothes to any Ulta store nearby and they have a little kiosk that handles the return for me.)
Usually I have to figure out the size for tops and bottoms relative to the place.
But in general I prefer to buy clothes in person and to try them on before deciding.
Yeah, I’ve also noticed some online retailers that have generic size charts. I guess that should be a red flag to begin with 🤔
Know your body measurements, but also the measurements of your clothing. For example, I have a 47.5" waist. So I assumed that a pair of pants laid flat with a waist measuring 23-24" would fit. Not so. When I measure the waist of the pants that fit me best, it’s 21".
If the store you want to try is pricy, maybe you can find some of their items secondhand on places like poshmark or thredup to start. You still can’t return, but at least you’re not spending as much to figure out their sizing.
Good ideas!! Thanks for the tips ❤️❤️🙏🙏
Take measurements. Try buying from shops that have generous return policies or especially local returns, like Nordstrom Rack or something.
Yep this is what I do. I’m wildly different depending on the shop, fit, style, garment and material! Only thing I can do is hit return
Hit or miss. I generally don’t order online unless I’ve tried it on in a store, and if I do, I look for free shipping, coming and going.
I do 85%+ of my purchases online. Fresh foods and clothing are the two fields I won’t do it in, precisely for the reasons OP gives about return policies and hassles.
Also, I’ve seen some stores indicate what sizes their models are wearing and it doesn’t always seem accurate. I have no idea what reason they’d have to lie about that though.
I can tell you from an older (than me) person who has gifted me gently used from their closet: one store’s size 4 is another store’s 12. This can even happen in the same label and it drives me bananas.
You think it would be in their best interest to provide accurate size charts!
Part of the problem may be that sizing isn’t standardized, even within individual countries, not to mention worldwide. A size 0 in one place is a size 4 in another, that kind of thing. You have to go by measurements, not by arbitrary size indications.
I’m not a woman so I don’t have much experience with women’s clothes, but I my experience may still be useful. I generally don’t buy clothes online because I’m worried stuff won’t fit. Might seem like guy’s pants should be the same since theoretically they are in inches. In practice, that’s not been the case for me. Same problem with shoes.
Shirts, socks, and underwear are about the only things pretty safe to get online, assuming it’s US sizing. If it’s Asian sizing, very difficult to find out what will fit.
Aside from that, even if a site offered free refunds/returns, the amount of emissions caused by all the shipping really turns me off.
Hey Alex thanks so much for chatting with us! We’re a women’s only community so please don’t comment again 😊
