How to choose the right clothing size online: practical tips

The most common problem with buying clothes online is a size that does not fit. In a shop you can try things on; on a phone you cannot. A few simple steps, though, cut the risk a lot. Here are practical tips for choosing the right clothing size online, and how a live stream helps.

Know your measurements#

“I wear M” is not enough: one maker’s M can be another’s L. So take your main measurements once with a tape measure and write them down:

• Chest — at the widest point, without pulling the tape tight.
• Waist — at the narrowest point.
• Hips — at the widest point.
• Height — without shoes, standing against a wall.

There is an even easier way: lay a piece of clothing that fits you well on a flat surface and measure its width and length. If the seller lists measurements of the garment itself, comparing with those numbers is the most reliable method.

Compare with the size in the description#

Read the description on the product page. If the seller gives sizes in centimetres, compare them with yours. If it only says S, M, L, ask the seller for exact numbers. A chat opened with the “Message seller” button on the product page attaches the product card automatically, so the seller knows at once which item you mean.

Fabric matters too. Stretchy knits forgive a size a little; dense cotton or denim does not. If the fabric is not listed, ask about that as well.

Ask in a live stream#

A live stream is especially useful for clothes. Write your height and usual size in the chat, for example “170 cm, I usually wear M”. The seller can lay the item out on camera, measure it with a tape, or tell you which size runs small. Ask to see the colour in daylight too: stream lighting can change it.

For children’s clothes#

When buying for a child, go by height, not age: children of the same age vary a lot in height. Measure the child’s height and chest and send those numbers to the seller. Children grow fast, so if the fabric does not stretch, a slightly larger size is usually the right call.

A separate rule for shoes#

Choose shoe size by foot length: stand on a sheet of paper and measure from the heel to the tip of your longest toe. Do it in the evening, as feet get slightly bigger by the end of the day. Then ask the seller for the inside length of that pair in centimetres.

Know the return terms in advance#

If the size still does not fit, the return terms matter. Under the Payments and Refunds Policy, to return an item of proper quality it generally must be unused, with its tags and appearance intact, in its original packaging and with proof of purchase. So do not cut off the tags while trying it on.

Some categories may not be returnable for hygiene reasons, for example underwear and hosiery. This does not apply to items that are defective or not as described: your rights stay in place in that case. Check the exact terms with the seller before you buy.