G — this is brilliant. Lately, I’ve noticed some smaller brands (Tankair for ex) adding a re-stocking fee to their return process, too. It essentially forces you into critical thinking about what you’re ordering. Also…as someone who suffers from Short Torso Syndrome, if they don’t list the actual measurements of the piece…I’m out.
I try to be a conscientious consumer, but brands need to provide accurate garment measurements and use a diverse range of models before I start to absorb the guilt of returns.
I know this doesn't work for every store especially online store but I just take the time to try things on in person. Also another reason why returns are so bad is because a lot of retailers have their employees on commission so then you're messing up their money.
that's an AMAZING way to keep your return rate down! Trying on in person is so underrated but still the best way to buy right xx thank you for reading love
Last week I was in a queue for quite some time because the person ahead of me needed to return 15 items. I overheard the cashier saying that the clothes were in 3 different sizes. To me it looked like the individual had ordered online for a haul or even photoshoot, but she insisted that it was all ordered ahead of a holiday and she wasn't sure what size she was. There was something about the entire exchange that just did not sit well with me.
Unfortunately. this practise is still so common and normalised and it's literally killing the industry! How did you keep calm, I would've lost it ahah thank you for your comment Fifi!
Completely agree with you, Giulia! I'm shocked that I still see "hauls" being paraded on social media - I can almost guarantee that the person doing that is sending all of those pieces back, which is awful when you think about the environmental impact.
I have a tape measure to hand whenever I buy something online. Most brands are getting better at giving more accurate measurements, which is so helpful.
And regarding your tape measure I knew you had one! I love how you always master the oversized or baggy looks and that cannot be done without a good knowledge of your size! 💌
I'm so naive when it comes to this stuff, as I can't believe people are actually buying more than they need/want just to return it. I've never even ordered multiple sizes just because I'm too lazy to organize a return. Thank you for shedding light on this, people are truly crazy
I find returns so jarring, you don’t know how many times in the past I kept stuff I didn’t need just because I got to a point in which it was too late to return it! Now I want to be sure to what I buy and aim to success 😂
I haven’t returned something in more than 20 years! I always shop in person, 95% secondhand, and anything that doesn’t work out gets given away, sold (never shipped) or donated back to local charities.
Great article and reminder to be really mindful about what we buy!💕
I find reading this very inspiring when it comes to consuming. Having myself launched a small fashion label earlier this year operating on small batches at present; I decided to move to made to order only as my garments are handmade and using natural fabrics making them pricier to produce. So to avoid returns and protecting my business and the environment as well, made to order is another way to try a solve returns in some cases. When a customer purchase a made to order item, they're making a considerate purchase that they intend to wear multiple times. Keep writing so beautifully, Giulia! x
I love these recommendations! Personally I’ve always been a “I need to love it” shopper so I rarely did returns pre-online shopping. Now I know my measurements and seeing the crazy range in sizing means I’m desensitized and order the size I need for that specific brand.
I do wonder how much is also tied to internalized fatphobia preventing people from ordering their correct size, resulting in returns due to poor fit. I think understanding your personal style also helps tremendously with not ordering aspirational clothing that you end up returning 🧐
Loved this comment, Soph! You touched on such an important topic: how we perceive our own bodies. Personally, I’ve struggled with body dysmorphia my entire life, and many of my returns were due to ordering a medium when I actually needed a small. I’m now a zero-returns person, but it took a lot of work to get here 🤍
Great post, but change is hard when retailers don't hold up their end of the bargain. One of the reasons I order many of my clothes online is that shopping in-store has become such a bad experience. The mirrors are tilted to make you look thinner, the entire setup (lights, mirrors) tends to distort the body somewhat. I'm a solid medium and a lot of stores won't keep my sizes on the floor so I have to ask for everything. Also, several stores I shop at (Rachel Comey, No. 6) will only give you credit for a return when you buy in-store, but will give you a full refund when you buy online. This is not the right incentive! I have a Rachel Comey in my neighborhood, but will still order sometimes because of the return policy.
One thing I have started doing that's helped reduce my returns is not adding extra things to my cart just because I have an order started. I usually start with something I'm genuinely excited about and think will work, but then I used to throw other stuff in because why not. I don't do that as much now. I'm appreciating the joy of finding the one thing I really love instead of 5 things that are just ok.
That’s a very interesting point Lara! I agree with you some fitting rooms are engineered to deceive you and that’s not fair! I don’t know those shops, I am not sure we have them in Europe but I feel like it should be illegal to not give a full refund for a return in store!! Why do you think they do that?
Brilliant article Giulia! I love to shop in-person for myself if I know a brand is tricky but I find when you begin to be loyal to certain brands it becomes easier to discern sizing. I agree it’s a melting pot of varying brands who actually measure and give accuracy online though - I just ordered a few bras from a London based brand following their exact description to size up in cup and band and they still didn’t fit (!) then they had the audacity to charge 10% of the total on a return fee which honestly just put me off ever advising them to clients. I wish people would think about the environmental impact but sadly they just don’t
I agree, brands that have consistent sizes can win our loyalty in a heartbeat! If only they put more effort in improving them… I feel like we would have way less returns indeed! So many factors though, it’s such a broad topic I would speak about it for hours xx
Good Morning , Agree with all you said. I would love to not return, I would love to pop into JCrew, Banana, Anthro, etc.. and have my size ready to try. That however never happens, I frequently need petite and those are all online only in my shopping geo. With established designer I always go secondhand so measurements are key. Love to see this topic in writing! Thank you
Thank you for reading Dewie! I think size inclusivity it’s another crucial factor that brings us to return more indeed. Brands should definitely be more mindful of it
G — this is brilliant. Lately, I’ve noticed some smaller brands (Tankair for ex) adding a re-stocking fee to their return process, too. It essentially forces you into critical thinking about what you’re ordering. Also…as someone who suffers from Short Torso Syndrome, if they don’t list the actual measurements of the piece…I’m out.
Ahaha no measurements, no sale! thank you for reading as usual babes xx
I try to be a conscientious consumer, but brands need to provide accurate garment measurements and use a diverse range of models before I start to absorb the guilt of returns.
I agree, there’s so much brands and retailers need to do on their side!
I know this doesn't work for every store especially online store but I just take the time to try things on in person. Also another reason why returns are so bad is because a lot of retailers have their employees on commission so then you're messing up their money.
Love that you brought this topic up!
that's an AMAZING way to keep your return rate down! Trying on in person is so underrated but still the best way to buy right xx thank you for reading love
Last week I was in a queue for quite some time because the person ahead of me needed to return 15 items. I overheard the cashier saying that the clothes were in 3 different sizes. To me it looked like the individual had ordered online for a haul or even photoshoot, but she insisted that it was all ordered ahead of a holiday and she wasn't sure what size she was. There was something about the entire exchange that just did not sit well with me.
Unfortunately. this practise is still so common and normalised and it's literally killing the industry! How did you keep calm, I would've lost it ahah thank you for your comment Fifi!
Completely agree with you, Giulia! I'm shocked that I still see "hauls" being paraded on social media - I can almost guarantee that the person doing that is sending all of those pieces back, which is awful when you think about the environmental impact.
I have a tape measure to hand whenever I buy something online. Most brands are getting better at giving more accurate measurements, which is so helpful.
I just hate how normalised it is - still today!
And regarding your tape measure I knew you had one! I love how you always master the oversized or baggy looks and that cannot be done without a good knowledge of your size! 💌
Blushing
I'm so naive when it comes to this stuff, as I can't believe people are actually buying more than they need/want just to return it. I've never even ordered multiple sizes just because I'm too lazy to organize a return. Thank you for shedding light on this, people are truly crazy
I find returns so jarring, you don’t know how many times in the past I kept stuff I didn’t need just because I got to a point in which it was too late to return it! Now I want to be sure to what I buy and aim to success 😂
Omg same! I honestly prefer shopping irl for this reason only
I haven’t returned something in more than 20 years! I always shop in person, 95% secondhand, and anything that doesn’t work out gets given away, sold (never shipped) or donated back to local charities.
Great article and reminder to be really mindful about what we buy!💕
Wow Sheila! You’re such a great example 🤍🤍🤍 thank you so much for sharing!
I find reading this very inspiring when it comes to consuming. Having myself launched a small fashion label earlier this year operating on small batches at present; I decided to move to made to order only as my garments are handmade and using natural fabrics making them pricier to produce. So to avoid returns and protecting my business and the environment as well, made to order is another way to try a solve returns in some cases. When a customer purchase a made to order item, they're making a considerate purchase that they intend to wear multiple times. Keep writing so beautifully, Giulia! x
That’s an AMAZING way to get around it Giselle! I wish all brand owners were as considerate as you are! Thank you so much for reading 🤍
I love these recommendations! Personally I’ve always been a “I need to love it” shopper so I rarely did returns pre-online shopping. Now I know my measurements and seeing the crazy range in sizing means I’m desensitized and order the size I need for that specific brand.
I do wonder how much is also tied to internalized fatphobia preventing people from ordering their correct size, resulting in returns due to poor fit. I think understanding your personal style also helps tremendously with not ordering aspirational clothing that you end up returning 🧐
Loved this comment, Soph! You touched on such an important topic: how we perceive our own bodies. Personally, I’ve struggled with body dysmorphia my entire life, and many of my returns were due to ordering a medium when I actually needed a small. I’m now a zero-returns person, but it took a lot of work to get here 🤍
Great post, but change is hard when retailers don't hold up their end of the bargain. One of the reasons I order many of my clothes online is that shopping in-store has become such a bad experience. The mirrors are tilted to make you look thinner, the entire setup (lights, mirrors) tends to distort the body somewhat. I'm a solid medium and a lot of stores won't keep my sizes on the floor so I have to ask for everything. Also, several stores I shop at (Rachel Comey, No. 6) will only give you credit for a return when you buy in-store, but will give you a full refund when you buy online. This is not the right incentive! I have a Rachel Comey in my neighborhood, but will still order sometimes because of the return policy.
One thing I have started doing that's helped reduce my returns is not adding extra things to my cart just because I have an order started. I usually start with something I'm genuinely excited about and think will work, but then I used to throw other stuff in because why not. I don't do that as much now. I'm appreciating the joy of finding the one thing I really love instead of 5 things that are just ok.
That’s a very interesting point Lara! I agree with you some fitting rooms are engineered to deceive you and that’s not fair! I don’t know those shops, I am not sure we have them in Europe but I feel like it should be illegal to not give a full refund for a return in store!! Why do you think they do that?
Brilliant article Giulia! I love to shop in-person for myself if I know a brand is tricky but I find when you begin to be loyal to certain brands it becomes easier to discern sizing. I agree it’s a melting pot of varying brands who actually measure and give accuracy online though - I just ordered a few bras from a London based brand following their exact description to size up in cup and band and they still didn’t fit (!) then they had the audacity to charge 10% of the total on a return fee which honestly just put me off ever advising them to clients. I wish people would think about the environmental impact but sadly they just don’t
I agree, brands that have consistent sizes can win our loyalty in a heartbeat! If only they put more effort in improving them… I feel like we would have way less returns indeed! So many factors though, it’s such a broad topic I would speak about it for hours xx
Good Morning , Agree with all you said. I would love to not return, I would love to pop into JCrew, Banana, Anthro, etc.. and have my size ready to try. That however never happens, I frequently need petite and those are all online only in my shopping geo. With established designer I always go secondhand so measurements are key. Love to see this topic in writing! Thank you
Thank you for reading Dewie! I think size inclusivity it’s another crucial factor that brings us to return more indeed. Brands should definitely be more mindful of it
thanks for talking about this! returns are horrible for the environment (and people really don’t talk about it enough)
Amen 🙏🏼
An honor to be included in such a thoughtful piece. I’m a big believer in measure against what you already own and love!!
How could I not mention the queen of eBay in a piece like this?!
You’re on the moneyyyy
thank youuuuu 🤍