Clothing

Choosing the right size when shopping online

Sizing is the single biggest reason online clothing gets returned, and it is almost always avoidable. Sizes on internationally manufactured clothing tend to run smaller than UK, US or South African high-street equivalents — often by a full size, sometimes two on fitted styles.

Before ordering, measure a garment you already own and like the fit of, laid flat, rather than measuring your body. Compare chest, waist and length against the product measurements.

• Check the fabric composition — anything with elastane has give, woven cotton does not, so size up if you are between sizes
• For outerwear, allow room for what you will wear underneath
• Blacks, whites and strong primaries reproduce reliably on screen; pastels, khaki and 'nude' tones are the most likely to look different in person

What to look for

Fabric weight matters more than price. Lightweight jersey works for layering but shows every line underneath; heavier knits hold shape longer. For anything you expect to wear weekly, look for higher cotton content and flat-locked or double-stitched seams, which survive repeated washing far better than single-stitched edges.

Delivery and returns

Clothing ships worldwide with estimated delivery of 10–25 business days, and returns are accepted within 30 days, so there is time to try things on properly. If you are ordering for a specific date, order at least six weeks ahead.