We say it all the time. Our bodies are unique.
Your clothing may technically fit, or it may be in style, but it may not enhance your appearance or make you feel good. This is the perfect opportunity to dig in and understand what clothing works for you beyond what is on the label.
These three methods will help you to uncover your perfect fit. Give them a try and let us know what works for you!
Compare your Favorites
Factors like age and hormones may not be factored in when you grab a tape measure or scour a rack for your size. One method to find your best fit is to pull your favorite clothing out of your wardrobe and examine why it makes you feel your best.
When you pull your favorites out of the hamper, make note of the brand, style, size, and especially the fit – is it loose in just the right areas, and tighter in others? Then compare it to other brands of the same type in your closet, especially those that you avoid or haven’t worn in awhile. If it’s a t-shirt, where does the hemline fall? What kind of collar does it have? How long are the sleeves? What is it made out of? Is it wider at the shoulders or near the waist than other t-shirts you own? Essentially, you are asking yourself what it is that you love about some of your wardrobe – and what you don’t like about other pieces, too.
Grab Your Tape Measure
If you’ve purchased custom clothing before then you know that size isn’t just a single number. Our comprehensive Measurement Guide helps ensure the perfect fit, whether you’re buying a blazer or a formal dress. While you can take many of the measurements yourself, there are a few you won’t be able to measure accurately without help. It is easier to have a professional or even a friend assist you.
A few things to note: measurements are best taken when wearing minimal clothing. Thin undergarments are best! Yes, taking your own measurements is a little extra work at the start, but so is returning ill-fitting purchases or weeding out a closet full of clothing you don’t wear. Once you’ve built a basic profile of your sizes, you’re ready to find a great fit.
AI Tools For Consumers
The fashion industry is rife with new ways to help consumers build their wardrobes. Some of these apps rely on communicating personal preferences, while others are centered on sizing and measurements.
Products like True Fit compares the clothing that fits you best to new items from other retail brands. Users create a profile by entering basic details about their size and selecting a brand that they like; they are then introduced to other garments from similar retailers. Other apps like Virtusize and SearchByInSeam.com also use your measurements and preferences to help you locate garments with similar sizing and fit.
Apps like Zeekit and Forma allow you to virtually try on clothing from select big-box retailers using your phone’s camera. It doesn’t assist with fitting, but it can help you decide if certain styles or colors are right for you. A few retailers, like North Face and True&Co, have created proprietary apps with specialized algorithms to help you select your purchases using more than just sizing as a guide.
There are even apps to walk you through the measurement process. Balodana has partnered with 3DLook, a body scanning technology service that uses photos from your phone to help you take measurements. Try it out here.
Take-Away
Finding the perfect fit is partly about the article of clothing itself – the right size and measurements; but it is also about feeling comfortable and confident in your selection. Made-to-measure is made to suit your own unique measurements. Moreover, it encourages you to identify how you like your clothing to feel and express that directly to the designer to create your ideal fit. Need to accommodate broad shoulders? Longer arms? Thick thighs? All of these are no problem for Balodana designers!
https://www.popsci.com/story/diy/buy-clothes-online-guide/
https://www.truefit.com/signup
https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/07/fitting-apps-help-you-get-the-right-size-the-first-time/index.htm
https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/style-trends/info-2018/how-to-find-clothes-that-fit.html
https://www.qua.clothing/en-us/blogs/the-qua-blog/7-tips-on-how-to-choose-clothes-that-fit-you-perfectly