| If you love shopping like me, chances are you | | | | yourself measured, preferably by a professional |
| would already have done some shopping online. | | | | tailor. And keep the measurements with you |
| Online shopping offers great excitement and | | | | when you are shopping. If you cannot get |
| convenience to us busy women. Having to juggle | | | | yourself measured, then, the next best thing is to |
| work and family, many career women only found | | | | measure your clothes. To do so, just lay them |
| time for themselves after settling their family and | | | | flat on a hard surface (e.g. wooden table) and |
| children after a day's work. Usually, by that time, | | | | measure, using a tape measure, the key areas of |
| the off-line shops are closed. With the wonderful | | | | shoulders, pit to pit, armhole, waist, hips and |
| array of shops available online, clothes shopping | | | | length. Alternatively, if you have a favourite label, |
| now offers an amazing range of variety and | | | | whose clothes fit you well, check out their |
| styles (some of which are only available | | | | website and see if they provide specific |
| overseas), all at a click of the mouse. | | | | measurements for their sizes. |
| What are the benefits of online clothes shopping? | | | | In the same way, clothes measurements may be |
| You can do it in peace (think - no fussy toddlers | | | | published in one of the two ways - based on the |
| and sulky teenagers bugging you to leave the | | | | person wearing the size, or off the actual clothes |
| store) and in the comfort of your own home | | | | pieces. Measurements off an actual blouse, for |
| (imagine settling into your favourite chair with a | | | | example, are measured when the clothes are laid |
| mug of coffee/tea) and let your fingertips do the | | | | flat. The bust measurements are usually read as |
| work! The best part of online shopping? The | | | | pit-to-pit measurement (the horizontal length from |
| shops are opened 24/7! You can shop at any | | | | one armpit to the other). So, a pit-to-pit of 44cm, |
| time at your convenience! | | | | for example, would fit a bust size of about 88cm |
| While there may be challenges buying clothes | | | | (depending on the stretchability of the materials). |
| online, here are four tips to ensure that your | | | | Tip#3 Clear Your Queries |
| online clothes shopping be as fuss-free (you don't | | | | It is important that, if you have any queries, to |
| want to waste your precious time), and as | | | | send them to the customer service. Legitimate |
| pleasant as possible. | | | | shops will publish their emails and contacts for |
| Tip#1 Choose the Right Fit | | | | customers to contact them. Some shops have |
| You don't want to waste money on clothes that | | | | online forms for queries to be sent to them |
| don't fit. If possible, buy clothes from shops with | | | | directly on their websites so that you do not |
| specific measurements of their clothes. Shops | | | | have to open your email browser. Many shops |
| with size labels like 'Small', 'Large', Size 10 and Size | | | | also have Facebook pages for you to interact |
| 12 may differ when it comes down to the actual | | | | with them. If you have any queries with regard |
| centimeters and inches. Therefore, the most | | | | to the issues of fit and quality of the clothes (for |
| reliable way to get the right fit is to know the | | | | example if a certain fabric is sheer), it is good, at |
| actual centimeters / inches the clothes are in. A | | | | this juncture to raise them to be answered. You |
| Size 10 for a label may be a size 12 for another. | | | | could also request for more pictures of the |
| Chances are, shops which are able to offer | | | | products where relevant. |
| specific measurements are serious about their | | | | With all these in tow, it is easy to enjoy online |
| business. | | | | clothes shopping without the stress, without the |
| Tip#2 Get Yourself Measured | | | | mess and with all the fun intact! |
| If you were to get the right fit, you need to get | | | | |