Rule #2: Try it Before You Buy It
I’m guilty of this… I buy things without trying them on. I know, I know… I really should practice what I preach, but sometimes it’s hard. I go to a store, it’s crowded, I find a few things that I REALLY have to have so I grab them and run out of the store before being crushed (or driven crazy) by the overwhelming amount of people that are there (probably because there are such great sales!).
Not only that, but I think to myself, “I’ve already bought something similar to this before,” or “I purchase things from this brand all the time, this has to look good on me,” or even, “It’s my size, so it fits.” But many times, this is not always true for a few reasons that I will tell you about below:
Color by lauren.wuscher featuring Arden B dresses
1. All brands fit differently. The reason this occurs is because no matter what store you shop in, the clothing that they sell is based upon a real, live person called a fit model. And as you know, not everybody has the same body shape. This is why you can buy the same size 3 different places and each one fits differently. This is why it is so important to try things on before buying them because you really don’t know how they will fit unless you do so. The fit model might have a small butt and wide thighs where as you are the opposite and, in reality, this brand is just not right for you and you should keep looking.
2. Most clothing is cut in bulk. Meaning that the factory piles up several pieces of fabric at the same time and then just cuts them all at once. The problem with this is that the top layer may get cut smaller than the bottom layer because the bottom layer will be flattened more, it can shift, it can stretch out a bit.. and so forth. So even if you have tried on the same exact brand time and time again and it fits, there is still that chance that one item you buy is cut incorrectly.
3. The buyers and designers are only human. And humans make mistakes. Before a garment hits the floor, buyers, designers, and technical designers try it on the fit model, make sure that it fits properly, and then approve it for production. They can make mistakes. They can accidentally make a shirt too short, pants too long, or sleeves uneven. This doesn’t happen often, but it can happen. There can be pressure from factories that they are not going to meet shipping deadlines and they might rush a garment, or outside factors can take place. A garment can look fine on the hanger and then be lopsided on the body.
So the only thing I can tell you is to try, try, try. Try everything on! And ESPECIALLY try things on that you normally wouldn’t wear. You’re never going to know if you look great in it if you don’t try.
Good Luck & Good Style,
L.
Categories: Style Tips, clothing, fashion, tips
