Shop for clothes and shoes online
Buy with your measurements in hand
by Catherine Wood
Buying clothes and shoes online means saving big, says shopping expert Sandra Phillips, author of Smart Shopping Montreal. “There’s much less overhead and, as a result, there are lots of unique deals that aren’t available in the actual store.”
But how do you get past the sizing challenges when you’re a small at one store and medium at another?
Francine Vallée of St. Lazare, Que., was so stumped that she gave up online fashion shopping altogether. “It wasn’t worth the hassle,” says the working mother of two. “I often wound up returning the stuff and having to go to the shopping centre to try on clothes anyway.”
Don’t give up. There are ways to simplify the online shopping experience.
IN THIS STORY
Get the right fit
“Knowing your measurements and comparing them to the store’s online sizing chart is a huge help,” says James Connell, senior director of e-commerce for Roots.
To get started, you’ll need a seamstress measuring tape (if you don’t have one, use a ribbon or string and compare against a ruler). Put on light clothes and, if you can, get someone to help jot down the inches. Then fill out our handy template and save the entire family’s measurements for reference.
Tops
- Sleeves. Arm at 90 degrees, hand on hip, measure from centre of back of neck to wrist.
- Bust (woman). Measure at fullest area. For bras, follow exact instructions on lingerie sites such as La Vie En Rose.
- Chest (man). Measure across shoulder blades and fullest part of chest.
- Neck (man’s dress shirt and tie). Keeping a finger between tape and body, measure base of neck.
Bottoms
- Waist. For pants, keep a finger between the tape and body, and measure at the narrowest part; for belt, measure waist where pants normally hang.
- Hips. With your heels together, measure at the fullest part.
- Inseam. Using well-fitting pants, measure crotch to hem.
Accessories
- Head. For hats, measure all the way around, about ½-inch above ears.
- Hand. For gloves, keep hand slightly relaxed and measure from wrist to tip of middle finger.
Another trick is to zoom in on the item online to see how it fits the mannequin, says Connell. Is a top tight-fitting around the chest, tapered at the waist? He also suggests closely reading the product description. Look for terms like “athletic fit” or “relaxed fit.”
Another great resource is the site’s toll-free number, says Phillips. “Ideally, there’s a person on the other end of the line who can help you — especially if it’s your first time shopping there.”
Slip into the right shoe
When it comes to footwear, David Brownstein, director of business development for Browns Shoes, admits things can get tricky.
“Sizing is the biggest challenge online shoe retailers face. The average industry rate of return is about 20 per cent,” he explains. “The most popular feature to counteract that is user reviews.”
Sites such as zappos.com ask buyers to answer a quick questionnaire so other customers can gauge if the fit is “true to size.” Although Browns doesn’t post reviews, the site does say whether a line tends to fit small or large.
Return to sender
Even with the best measurements and sizing charts, things may inevitably not work out. “The return process was always very simple,” says Vallée. Returning items is easy, as long as you follow the instructions properly (and check all the details before making any purchases online).
Depending on the company, you’ll need to know
- whether to mail back the merchandise or take it to a physical store
- if the original receipt and price tags are needed
- which items are non-returnable (some undergarments, swimwear, etc.)
Do you have a favourite online clothing or shoe store? Fill in the feedback form at the bottom of this article to share your suggestions with fellow readers. Shopping with a friend is always more fun!
