Online Fashion Sizes and Returns: How to Avoid Mistakes

The biggest worry when buying clothes online is size. A "medium" from one brand can fit like a large from another. The good news is that a simple routine reduces wrong sizes and makes returns easy.

Take your measurements

Use a soft tape on bare skin or thin clothing and record:

• Bust or chest, waist and hips
• Shoulder width and arm length
• Inseam and thigh for trousers
• Foot length in centimetres for shoes

Keep the numbers in your phone notes. When you shop, compare them with the size chart on each product page rather than trusting your usual letter size.

Read the product page carefully

1. Size chart: Use the chart for that specific brand.
2. Fabric: Stretch fabrics are more forgiving than rigid cotton or linen.
3. Fit description: Words like slim, relaxed or oversized matter.
4. Model details: If the model's height and size are given, compare them with yours.
5. Customer remarks: Look for comments such as "runs small" and "true to size".

When in doubt

If you are between sizes, think about the item: choose larger for structured or non-stretch items, smaller for loose styles. For children, buy a little room to grow, but not so much that the clothes look baggy.

Store notes

• SHEIN: low-price, fast-changing fashion from many suppliers, so sizing can vary between items. Always check the chart on every product. It works with a link deal and needs no code.
• ASOS: hundreds of brands, and each brand fits differently. Choose your country for local prices and delivery. It also works through the shop link without a code.
• VogaCloset: branded women's fashion. Code VL8 gives 20% on orders above AED/SAR 100 and 30% above 700/800, with 2 to 4% in Egypt, per the terms on our store page.
• DeFacto: Turkish fashion for the family. In Egypt, code DEFAR142 gives 10% off all products.

Returns: be prepared

Before you order

Read the return policy: how many days you have, who pays the shipping, what condition the item must be in, and any exclusions such as underwear or beauty items.

When the parcel arrives

• Open it as soon as possible, and try the clothes indoors on a clean surface.
• Leave the tags on until you are sure.
• Do not wear it outside, wash it, or remove hygiene stickers.
• Keep the original packaging and invoice.

To return

1. Start the return in your account or the app, and choose the reason.
2. Pack the item neatly in its original packaging.
3. Keep the tracking number and a photo of the parcel.
4. Follow the refund status. If a code or cashback was used on the order, the amount can be adjusted.

Order smart to return less

If a store lets you return easily, ordering two sizes of an important outfit can be sensible, but only if you will actually send back the extra one on time. Otherwise stick to one carefully chosen size. See our coupon guide to apply codes correctly.

Codes, discounts and terms can change at any time. Always check the store's terms at checkout before you pay.