4 Shopping Mistakes That Can Make You Look Worse

Size does matter. More so when you’re shopping! Don’t get us wrong. We don’t mean to say you can’t wear what you want based on your size. What we mean to say is you should keep in mind your size and the size of the items you wish to purchase when buying stuff for yourself. Buying the wrong size can make you look disastrous, even if that dress is super pretty and cute! Wouldn’t you call that a blunder? Similarly, there are other faux pas you make when you shop, which end up making you look bad. Here are 4 common shopping gaffes and how to fix them:

1. Not Knowing Your Own Measurements

You can’t just guess which size will fit you and then hope for the best. Clothes you end up buying this way will definitely not give you the desired result and will be ultimately tossed into the pile of rejected clothes. So, before you go shopping next, measure yourself first. Here’s how to do that:

• Waist size: Take an inch tape in your hands and stand straight, not sucking your tummy in. Now, place the starting point of the tape on the smallest part of your waist and measure.
• Hip size: Stand straight with your side facing the mirror. Now, take the inch tape and place it on the widest part of your hips to measure your circumference.
• Chest size: Again, stand straight and wrap the measuring tape around the most prominent area of your chest. Ensure that the tape is higher up on your back as compared to your chest.
• Neck size: Neck size is mostly used to know the right size of shirts. Wrap the tape around the base of your neck to know your size.

Once you’ve taken all of the measurements, refer to the size chart of the brand whose clothes you intend to buy, and pick out the right size of clothes for yourself accordingly. Wearing the right sized clothes can make you look stunning!

2. Not Taking Brand Sizes Into Account

When shopping for clothes, most of us refer to a standard size chart. Or we always pick out a certain size just because the same size of another brand proved to be a perfect fit. Having this kind of approach when buying clothes is wrong. That’s because no two brands have the exact same size chart. So, if you think size M from brand XYZ is perfect for you, it’s not necessary it’ll be the right size for brand ABC. Their size L may actually fit you better. Hence, you should check the brand’s individual size chart as well, especially when shopping online!

3. Not Paying Attention To The Fabric Of Clothes

Knowing your size is the first step to buying the perfect clothes for yourself, but it’s not the last one. The fabric of the clothes you purchase play as important a role as their size. You see, certain fabrics have the tendency to shrink after being washed, while certain others tend to stretch out. Hence, you may end up with a very bad fit right after the first wash! To avoid this mishap from taking place, you should know which clothes you can buy in a larger or smaller size than your usual.

Clothes Of Fabrics You Can Buy In Larger Sizes:

• Woolen sweaters: Loose woolen sweaters will not only keep you warmer, you also won’t have to face the consequence of them shrinking post washing.
• Cotton clothes: These can range from tees to underwear. Cotton has the tendency to shrink. That said, if the cotton is blended with elastane, you should pick your normal size.
• Collared shirts/blouses: If the collar of the clothing concerned presses too tightly against your neck, you should buy a size larger than your usual.

Clothes Of Fabrics You Can Buy In Smaller Sizes:

• Knitted clothing: Irrespective of the kind of thread used, knitted clothes always stretch. So, buying a smaller size is better.
• Jeans: Despite being made of cotton, jeans stretch over time. However, if elastic fibers are mixed, choose your normal size.
• Polyester clothing: These clothes stretch post-wash. So, always go for a smaller size.

4. Not Knowing Your Correct Foot Size

Just like clothes make the (wo)man, so do the shoes! An ill-fitting pair of shoes not only look bad, they are mighty uncomfortable too. Moreover, again, just like clothes, the shoe sizes of different brands are different too. And if that’s not enough, both of your feet might even be differently sized, which is why knowing your right size is all the more important!

To measure your shoe size, take an inch tape and place it at the edge of your heel, stretching it to the highest point of your biggest toe. Similarly, check the measurement of the other feet and refer to the brand’s size chart to know your shoe size. Always buy your shoes as per the size of your bigger foot.

These are quite simple mistakes, but ones that happen all too commonly. However, now that you know about them and how to correct them, we’re sure you’ll end up shopping the right items!

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