Buying Clothes Online? What to Check Before Ordering to Avoid Disappointment On Arrival

We have all been there. The parcel arrives, you try it on, and the item that looked so good on the model is doing something completely different on you. Online clothes shopping comes with a learning curve, and most of it involves figuring out what to check before ordering rather than after. After years of online shopping wins and losses, we’ve figured out exactly what to look for. Here’s everything you need to know before you click “add to cart”!

Check the size guide every single time

Sizing is not consistent across brands, and treating it as though it were is one of the most common reasons clothes arrive and do not fit. A size 16 in one label can fit like an 18 in another, and an XL in one brand’s size guide can correspond to a completely different set of measurements elsewhere. It’s not just about conversions across countries. Before ordering from any brand, check their specific size guide and measure yourself against it rather than defaulting to the size you usually take. For plus-size shoppers especially, this step is a must, even with brands you have bought from before, as sizing can sometimes shift between collections.

Read the product description carefully, not just the headline

The product name will tell you it is a wrap dress. The description will tell you it is a wrap dress in a lightweight chiffon with a self-tie waist and an unlined skirt, which is a very different piece of information depending on what you were hoping for. Fabric content, lining, fit notes and care instructions are all in there for a reason. Pay particular attention to fabric composition. While natural fibres like cotton and linen can breathe and wash well, some synthetic blends can feel uncomfortable against the skin or photograph better than they wear.

Look at more than the lead photograph

Most product pages include multiple images, and the additional ones are usually more useful than the hero shot. You want to be able to see the garment from multiple angles, in addition to close-ups of the fabric texture, as well as details of fastenings, hemlines, or stitching. If the brand shows the piece on more than one model or body type, spend time with those images rather than making assumptions based on the first one. A garment that sits beautifully on a straight frame can behave very differently on a curvier one, and vice versa, so seeing how it moves and drapes across different bodies is not time wasted.

Pay attention to the model information

Many brands now include the model’s height and the size they are wearing in the product description, and that detail is more helpful than it might seem. If the model is 5’10” and wearing a size 10, and you are 5’4” and shopping in a size 18, the hemline, proportions and the overall silhouette of the garment on you will be different. Factor that in before ordering, particularly with midi and maxi lengths, where even a few inches of height difference can change the look of a piece entirely.

Check the returns policy before you fall in love with something

It’s not very pleasant to find out a brand only offers store credit or charges for returns after you have already placed the order, or worse still, after you realise the clothes do not fit. Returns policies vary more than most people think. Before buying from a new brand, spend two minutes on their returns page. Look for whether returns are free or paid, how long you have to return items and whether sale pieces are excluded. For plus-size shoppers ordering from brands they have not tried before, a generous and straightforward returns policy is worth factoring into the decision, because fit is harder to predict when you are shopping somewhere new.

Seek out reviews from women in your size range

It takes some elbow grease, but the reviews section is a goldmine. Look beyond the star rating and read what people are saying, from fit and fabric quality to sizing accuracy. Reviews left by women who share your size and shape will give you a far more accurate picture of how a garment behaves in real life than any product description can. If a brand has a community, a social media presence or a tagged photo section, those images of real customers in the piece are worth looking at too.

Factor in how the garment will be delivered and stored

This one gets overlooked more than it should. Delicate fabrics, structured pieces and anything with embellishment can arrive creased, misshapen or damaged depending on how they have been packaged and how long they have been in transit. Check whether the brand packages its pieces carefully, particularly for more considered purchases, and factor in whether you will need to steam or press the item before wearing it. A heavily structured blazer or a silk-feel blouse that arrives haphazardly stuffed into a plastic bag may need more attention before it is ready to wear than you were planning on giving it.

Practice makes perfect

Getting online shopping right is a skill, and like most skills it gets easier with practice. Once these checks become second nature, the whole experience shifts from a bit of a gamble to something you can do with considerably more confidence and a lot fewer return labels.

Voycestas Plus takes the guesswork out of it with thorough size guides, honest product descriptions and stylish clothing designed to fit and flatter across the full plus-size range. Experience less second-guessing, and get more outfits you completely love. Start shopping smarter at Voycestas Plus!

Alternatively, arrange for a fitting appointment with us. Simply Telegram us at 8268 0023.