How To Find The Perfect Fit When Shopping Online

What I always keep in mind before clicking “add to cart.”

POSTED 13.11.26 08:42 BY ZOE TYLER

Online shopping is a blessing when you'd rather avoid crowded malls and endless trips between fitting rooms. You can search for a specific colour, browse a few stores and find exactly what you had in mind without leaving the sofa. The only catch? That gorgeous top on your screen might look completely different once it arrives at your door.

Image via revolve.com

Finding clothes that fit well online takes a little practice, but there are a few tricks that can make the whole experience much easier. Here is what I always keep in mind before clicking “add to cart”.

Know What Works for You

Image via revolve.com

Before getting distracted by beautiful product photos, take a moment to think about the silhouettes, patterns and colours you actually enjoy wearing. A top might look incredible on the model, but that doesn't automatically mean its cut or shade will work with your wardrobe.

Remember that the person modelling the piece may have completely different proportions from yours. That's why I always recommend checking customer photos in the reviews. Seeing the same garment on different people gives you a much better idea of how it looks outside a carefully styled campaign shoot.

Stop Trusting Size Labels

Image via revolve.com

One of the biggest online shopping mistakes is assuming your usual size will be the same everywhere. Unfortunately, sizing can vary considerably between brands, so an M in one shop might fit more like an S or L somewhere else.

My own wardrobe includes everything from XS to XL, depending on the retailer. Instead of relying on the label, take your bust, waist and hip measurements and compare them with the brand's size chart. Save those numbers in your phone so you can check them whenever you're shopping.

You can also measure a blouse, pair of jeans or dress that already fits you perfectly. Comparing those measurements with the product details can give you a more realistic idea of what to expect. The same principle applies to shoes: checking your foot length against the retailer's sizing guide is often more useful than relying on your usual shoe number.

AI chatbots can also help you understand a brand's sizing information, although I'd treat their answers as a starting point rather than a substitute for the retailer's own measurements and customer reviews.

Check the Fabric and Cut

Image via revolve.com

Measurements aren't the whole story. The fabric, cut and amount of stretch can completely change how a garment feels and fits.

A pair of jeans with plenty of elastane, for example, will behave differently from a rigid denim style, even if their measurements are similar. Pay attention to product descriptions and look for comments about whether an item runs small, large or true to size.

If the retailer doesn't provide that information, head straight to the reviews. Customers often share useful details about how a piece fits, whether the fabric feels comfortable and whether they would recommend sizing up or down.

Read the Return Policy Before Ordering

Image via revolve.com

Still caught between two sizes? Don't panic. You'll become better at recognising your preferred fits as you shop, but until then, ordering two options can sometimes be worthwhile.

Just make sure you understand the return policy first. Check the return window, whether return shipping is free and whether the retailer offers refunds or store credit. It's much better to know the rules before your parcel arrives than discover an unpleasant surprise afterwards.

Online shopping should be fun, not an endless cycle of ordering, returning and trying again. Once you get familiar with your measurements, favourite silhouettes and the quirks of different brands, finding pieces that work becomes much easier. Ready to put your new shopping skills to the test? Browse my Fizzypicks and see what catches your eye.

GRLFRND
Keyhole Twist Short Sleeve Tee
$98

How To Find The Perfect Fit When Shopping Online

Know What Works for You

Stop Trusting Size Labels

Check the Fabric and Cut

Read the Return Policy Before Ordering

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