A Good Fit

It’s a fact that you can walk into several clothes shops, try on some of them and be a different size in each shop. I have clothes in my wardrobe ranging from sizes 12-16 and they all fit me! However, we are often so fixed on buying the size we know we are that to buy a larger size must mean that we have put on weight overnight surely? No, it’s just the variations in sizing by the clothes manufacturers and the way they are cut. Clothes sizing is really only a rough guide. What we are looking for in our clothes is that they fit us perfectly – not tight and restrictive nor baggy and swimming on us.

Many of us buy our clothes on line now and so it’s sometimes a good rule to buy two sizes if you are unsure of the fit of what you are buying. One can be returned later and it will give you a good idea of the brand’s sizing – whether they are on the larger or smaller side.

Here are some of my tips for ensuring a good fit with your clothes:

Trousers and Jeans 

  Make sure the length of your trousers and jeans is correct for the type of shoe you will be wearing with them. If you are going to wear heels with them, the trousers need to partially cover the foot; if you are going to wear flat shoes they can be a little shorter. They also need to fit at the waist or hips with no bagging. You can, however, always wear a belt to bring them in at the waist or hips, but allow for this in the length. They shouldn’t be too tight either to produce the ‘camel toe’ effect, or a ‘muffin top’ if the jeans or trousers are low rise.

Skirts

Ideally the waistband should be loose enough to fit two fingers between your body and the waistline. Too loose and the skirt will move around; too tight and the waistband will fold over and there may be spillage over the top. It’s better to get a larger size and cut the label out.

Jackets and Coats

Make sure the fit is good at the shoulders. The shoulder line of the jacket or coat shouldn’t extend further than your shoulder, nor should it be narrower, which will also very likely mean that the sleeves will be too short. The sleeve length should end at the break of your wrist. Try on a jacket or coat with the thickest item of clothing that you will be wearing with it, because the sleeves will ride up with a thick jumper underneath. You should be able to do the buttons up on a coat or jacket, even if you’re not going to do the buttons up on a jacket (less so a coat), the exception being a denim jacket.

Shirts and Blouses

 The obvious fitting problem is – does it gape between the buttons at the front?  If so, then size up but bear in mind the other points for fit at the shoulders and cuffs. If you have a large bust, it may be better to go for a blouse or shirt that pulls on over your head with a collar and open neckline, giving a shirt effect or wear a camisole underneath a shirt or blouse that is tighter across the front.

Dresses

Please do bear in mind your body shape when choosing dresses. If you have a small waist and larger hips, your dress should be shaped to follow the curves of your body. If you have a straight body with little or no waist, then you can wear a straight cut dress. The armholes of your dress shouldn’t be cut too low and the dress shouldn’t pull across the bust. If the dress is really fitted, you may have to go up a size.

Shorts

 Follow the advice for trouser and jeans above, ensuring that the length of the shorts is flattering for you and keeping in mind where you will be wearing shorts.

Alterations

It’s a good idea to have your clothes altered to fit you if you like a garment but it doesn’t fit well, especially in the length. Finding a good tailor who can do alterations is worth the money, as you are more likely to wear the clothes rather than leaving them in your wardrobe unworn. 

I hope these tips have been helpful for getting the fit of your clothes right and please do contact me if I can help with any other queries regarding fit of clothes.

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