Does trying on clothes leave you feeling stressed out and wishing you had a different body shape? Do you ever leave a dressing room feeling overwhelmed and near to tears after hours of trying on clothes that don’t fit? Cheer up, we’ve all been there. The good news is that there’s a way to make shopping and trying on clothes a better experience.
Here are some mistakes that many women make in the fitting room and how to avoid them:
Sticking to one size:
Even if you’re crystal clear about your size, bring a size up or down of the same dress, trousers, or skirt with you to the changing room so you can compare and contrast the fit. This will save you time and energy as different brands fit differently.
Ignoring the brand that fits:
Not all brands fit all women. Brands or labels will only look elegant if they fit correctly. So, if you don’t find relevant sizes in your favourite brand, try a new one that highlights your beauty.
Not bringing your shapewear:
If you’re trying on a new slim skirt or dress, it would be great if your shapewear was already in your bag ready to try on with it.
Relying on fluorescent lights:
These are not the best for getting a true sense of how your outfit looks. Pop out to the store’s main floor to get a better look at your outfit’s colour and style.
Wearing the wrong shoes:
Flat shoes or a pair of sneakers with a cocktail dress or a pencil skirt won’t look right, no matter how flattering they are.
Be careful with slim fits:
These can be the riskiest ones to buy. Sit on the bench in the fitting room to check if you are comfortable wearing them. Slim fits may look good when you see them on display, but they may not fit you when trying them on. The first thing to check is whether they fit around the broader parts of your body.
Wearing the wrong underwear:
Though you might want to stay comfy in a sports bra or workout top during your shopping trip, these items will clash against the nicer clothes you’re shopping for. An ill-fitting bra can make a top fit wrong, for example.
Bringing your friends along:
Though second opinions can be great, they don’t necessarily reflect your own style. So, go alone and trust your gut feeling. Shopping partners might convince you to buy something you’d never wear, or steer you away from a piece you’d love.
Not knowing your size:
It’s important to know your body shape before heading to the dressing room. Otherwise, you’ll enter a store and start pulling off clothes that look good on the hanger but are not the right shape and size for your body. While trying them on, you’ll feel awful because they don’t fit your body shape properly as a result.
*A version of this article appears in print in the 9 June, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.
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