Shopping for clothes online, whether you buy them from a big box store or a custom clothier, can get you great style at bargain prices. Unfortunately it also comes with the worry that because you’re buying a clothing item sight-unseen, it just won’t fit and you’ve wasted your money. Here’s how to make sure that never, ever happens.

I don’t know too many people who love shopping for clothes. I don’t mind it, but the ability to shop for clothes online makes it easy to improve your personal style and dress better, and take the stress and shame out of clothes buying. It’s natural more and more people would want to do it. It does however come with the stress of possibly having to return whatever you buy because it doesn’t fit. Well, we can’t eliminate you ever having to deal with returns or exchanges, but with a little planning and some smart shopping, we can make sure it’s rare.

Get Some Accurate Measurements for Your Body, and Keep Them Up to Date

The first, and perhaps most important thing you can do before you really spend money buying clothes online is to get proper measurements of yourself. Once you have an idea of your size, beyond “large,” “size 10,” or “42 waist,” you’ll be able shop without fear. Remember, one company’s size 10 is another company’s size 8. Labels and designers purposefully use “vanity sizes” to confuse customers, and even though the whole point of sizes and inches is to give consumers standards, one company’s 42 inch slacks will fit drastically differently than another’s. The best way to fight back is to make sure you have your own measurements. Here’s how.

Get a professional to take them for you.

Obviously, the best way to get the most accurate measurements possible is to have someone else take them. If you can, visit a clothing store to have your measurements properly taken by someone who does it all the time and knows what they’re doing. This is especially important for women’s bra sizes.  Getting properly fitted for a bra is a difficult thing, and it’s even harder if you’re alone. Visit a lingerie or women’s wear store and get a proper bra fitting so you always have record of it . Now would also be a good time for you to find a tailor or seamstress in your community that can do adjustments and alterations for you. Once you have them, you’ll be ready to shop.

How to take measurements yourself (or have a friend help you out).

If you can’t or don’t want a pro to do it, of course, you can accurately do it yourself. You should be careful taking your own measurements, though.  Don’t suck in your gut, or try to stand up straighter than you normally do.  Anything you do to “optimize” your posture or size will just lead to uncomfortable clothing in the end. You don’t want that.  Similarly, if you must take your own measurements, get a friend or family member to help out.

General Measurements for Men and Women

• For men, you have a couple of areas to pay attention to. For pants and slacks, you’ll, of course, want to measure your height, waist size, and inseam.  You should also measure your hips. If you happen to have a more pronounced backside, you’ll need to measure the “natural hips,” or the width around your pelvis across your seat. Having all of those accurate measurements will assure that you know what you’re in for when you buy pants and slacks. For shirts, be sure to measure your chest size, sleeve length, and neck size.
• For women, you’ll want to measure your bust, which is the fullest part of your chest. If you want your true bra size, we still suggest getting a professional bra fitting for the best results. You’ll also need to measure your “natural waist,” or the slimmest part of your torso. It is not necessarily the part of the waist where your pants rest.  Women’s clothing usually use hip measurements more often,  This is the size around the fullest part of your body at the top of the leg, around and across your seat. You’ll also want a measurement of your inseam for slacks and pants. If you plan to wear collared shirts and blouses, be sure to measure the neck size and sleeve length.

Make Notes On Brands, Retailers, and Designers You’ve Bought Before

We want you to have plenty of purchase options to explore. This is why we have given you a long list of retailers.  Most are general clothiers. If you search deeper, you can find sites that sell everything from custom shoes to hand-made belts and ties. Once you’ve looked over their respective sizing charts and found some retailers that sell clothes in your size and meet your personal style, it’s time to start shopping. Remember to take notes!  Write down the name of the retailer, what items you purchased (note the specific designer or specific cut or style), the size, and how well it fits.

It may sound silly or pointless to make notes such as these, but it really is important. When you come across a style that really works for you, this will make it much easier to relocate the information you need. You’ll also always know what works well for you and what doesn’t.  Label sizes won’t be as important anymore. You may be happy to learn that even though the size chart says you should be a size 12, this company’s size 10 fits you perfectly!  After a couple of purchases, you’ll have a good list of brands, designers, and cuts that you know you like. When you choose to branch out, it won’t be like taking a shot in the dark.  You’ll have an informed opinion and be able to take an educated guess as to what you’ll get. Let’s get started!

Title image made using lole (Shutterstock). Other photos by Carl Mueller, Maria Morri, Indochino, and Ariel Grimm