Returning clothes is a chore: repacking, printing labels, queuing at a drop off point, then waiting for a refund. Most of it comes down to one thing, the wrong size, and most wrong sizes are avoidable with a few habits.
1. Know your measurements
Buying by the size you usually wear is the main reason online orders do not fit, because sizes are not the same between brands. Spend five minutes measuring your chest, waist, hip and inseam, and write the numbers down. Our measuring guide walks you through it.
2. Read the chart for this brand, every time
Open the brand's size chart for every order, even for brands you have bought before, since sizing can change between collections. Find the measurement that matters most for the garment and read your size from that.
3. Work out whether the chart is for your body or the garment
A body chart tells you who the size is made for. A garment chart tells you the size of the clothing itself, which will always be bigger than you. Comparing the wrong way round makes everything look too big. Our guide to reading size charts explains the difference.
4. Measure something that already fits
The best reference you own is a piece of clothing that fits you perfectly. Lay it flat and measure across the chest, the length and the waist. When a brand publishes garment measurements, compare them with that favourite piece directly.
5. Check the fabric
Stretch fabrics forgive a close fit; rigid denim and woven cotton do not. Pure cotton can shrink slightly after the first hot wash. The fabric composition is usually listed in the product details.
6. Read reviews for fit, not stars
A four star review that says "fits small, size up" is more useful than any number of five star reviews that say "lovely". Look for mentions of the reviewer's height and usual size, and how the garment fitted them.
7. Look at the fit description
Slim, regular, relaxed and oversized describe how much room the brand has cut into the garment. A slim fit in your usual size will feel very different from a relaxed one.
8. Check the returns policy before you buy
Know how long you have, whether returns are free, and whether sale items can be returned. It is easier to decide before you order than to find out afterwards.
9. Avoid ordering several sizes to try
Ordering two or three sizes and sending back the rest feels safe, but it ties up your money, wastes packaging and shipping, and many retailers now charge for returns. Getting the size right the first time is cheaper for everyone.
The shortcut
clothly does steps one to three for you. Measure yourself once from a single photo, then screenshot any listing: clothly reads the brand's own size chart, compares it with your measurements and tells you which size to order, and shows the garment on a model built to your body.