Tips for Buying Clothing Online That Actually Fits

Since most clothing stores have closed their in-store locations for the time being, shopping online is really the only way to get your fashion fix these days. While shopping for clothing online has numerous advantages—no lines, no crowds, and no need to drive to the store—it does require a little more guesswork. If you’re the type of person who always tries it on clothing to make sure it fits before making a purchase, switching to online shopping can be an adjustment. After all, it’s never a good feeling to get excited about a purchase and wait several days for it to arrive only to find out that it doesn’t fit right or isn’t what you expected. Fortunately, however, there are several ways you can improve your chances of purchasing great-fitting clothing without ever having to leave your home. Here are our best tips for buying clothing online that actually fits.

Customer reviews are your best ally

When it comes to shopping for clothing online, reviews are your greatest resource. Many clothing stores will include reviews of each item below their products so you can see what other customers thought about them. Such reviews often include helpful information regarding whether the garment fits true to size, if the fabric was good quality, or if there were any issues with the clothing that they noticed. Because the reviews are written by real customers, you can trust that they are honest.

Check the charts

Determining which size of clothing to buy without actually trying it on is arguably the hardest part of online shopping. Because not all brands size there clothing in the exact same way, you might be a medium in one brand and a small or large in another.

To minimize the guesswork of ordering clothing online, many brands will include size charts for each article of clothing they sell. Such charts will indicate which clothing sizes are best suited to different body measurements. By measuring your bust, waist, hips, and inseam and comparing your measurements with the size chart, you can get an accurate idea of which size to order—no changing rooms necessary.

When in doubt, size up

If you’re not sure which size to purchase, consider purchasing the larger size. If you purchase clothing that is too small, the only option is to return it. However, if clothing is just a little too big, you can always get it tailored to fit better. As such, sizing up is typically the best option for buying clothing online that actually fits.