You only notice whether clothes fit well when you move in them. Sit down, raise your arms, bend forward and walk a few steps. Then check the shoulders, waist, seated height and the length of sleeves or legs. Also look at your back and side in the mirror, not only at the front. That way you notice sooner whether something really fits. Below you will find a complete checklist.
Why the fitting room is misleading
In a fitting room you usually stand still and mainly look at the front. In daily life you move much more. That is why a movement test is important.
Preparation: bring the right things
- The right shoes. If you are trying on trousers, wear the shoes you want to wear with them, or bring them. The length of a leg depends entirely on the heel.
- The right underlayer. A blouse fits differently with a thicker vest top underneath.
- A reference piece. Bring a garment that fits perfectly. Lay it next to what you are trying on and compare.
- Time. Do not try things on when you are in a hurry. You only see doubt when you look calmly.
The movement test in six steps
- Sit down. Does the waistband dig in? Do the trousers ride up a lot? Do the buttons of your blouse pull open?
- Raise both arms. Does your blouse or polo come out of your trousers? Does the fabric pull under your armpits?
- Stretch your arms forward. Does the fabric strain across your back? Are your wrists exposed a lot?
- Bend forward. Do the trousers sag at the back? Does the neckline of your top gape?
- Walk a few steps. Does the leg fall nicely? Does everything stay in place?
- Turn around. Look at your back and side. That is where you see creases and pulling that you miss from the front.
Checklist per garment
| Garment | Check | Sign that it does not fit |
|---|---|---|
| Blouse or shirt | Shoulder seam, buttons, sleeve length | Buttons gaping open, seam on your upper arm |
| Polo | Length, sleeves, collar | Hem above the belt with arms raised |
| Trousers | Waist, seat, length | Creases around the crotch, gaping waistband |
| Jeans | Waist, thigh, length | Pulling creases at the hips, waist that slips down |
| Knitwear | Shoulders, length, ribbing | Shoulders that hang down, ribbing that rides up |
Trousers and jeans: the trickiest category
With trousers, pay particular attention to the waist, seat and length. With a high-waist model such as high-waist contour-fit jeans in blue, the waistband should sit at your natural waist without gaping when you sit. If you can slide a flat hand in but not a fist, it fits well. Also watch for horizontal pulling creases around the hips and crotch: they mean the trousers are too tight there.
With a wide or flared leg, such as flared ankle-length trousers in grey, the length is crucial. Ankle-length trousers should end just above your ankle, also with the shoes you wear with them. If they fall onto your shoe, they look unintentionally too long.
Blouses: shoulders and buttons
With a blouse, first look at the shoulder seam. It should sit exactly at the edge of your shoulder, unless the blouse deliberately has a dropped shoulder. Then look at the buttons at your chest. A supple blouse with a bow or lavalliere collar, such as a lavalliere blouse with a satin look in light blue, falls fluidly and may fit a little looser. Do make sure the collar falls nicely and does not pull sideways when you move.
Polos and shirts for men
A polo must be long enough to keep falling over the waistband when you raise your arms, but must not hang halfway down your thighs when you wear it untucked. The sleeves of a short-sleeved model end halfway down your upper arm. With a striped cotton polo with buttons in navy, the stripes immediately show whether the polo falls straight or pulls somewhere. With trousers such as slim-fit trousers in khaki, you check whether the slim-fit cut still leaves room when you sit and cross your legs.
Light and mirror
Fitting room lighting is often warm and flattering. If you can, walk to a mirror in daylight for a moment. Colours can look very different there, especially white, cream, navy and black. A fabric that looks opaque in the fitting room can be slightly see-through in daylight.
What a tailor can fix, and what not
- Yes: shortening legs and sleeves, taking in a waist slightly, adjusting a hem.
- Difficult or not: making shoulders narrower or broader, creating extra room at the chest or hips, lengthening trousers that are too short without hem allowance.
Choose mainly on points that are difficult to alter, such as shoulders and hips.
Bought online? Do the test at home
If you order online, carry out exactly the same movement test at home, preferably with the shoes and clothes you will wear with it. Leave the labels on until you are sure. Look beforehand at how returns work, so that you can try things on without stress.
Discover our trousers for women and polos for men, and read in the care instructions how to keep your clothes in shape after buying.
Shop the look
Adelaide: high-waist jeans, blue
Florence: flared trousers, grey
Rosamund: lavalliere blouse, light blue
Atticus: striped polo, navy
Vincent: slim-fit trousers, khaki
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if trousers fit well?
Sit down and bend forward. The waistband must not dig in or gape at the back, there must be no pulling creases around the hips and crotch, and the length must match the shoes you wear with them.
Should I take a size bigger if I am unsure?
Not automatically. Choose on the points that cannot be altered, such as shoulders and hips. If only the length or waist is slightly different, a tailor can often adjust that.
How long can I try things on before I return them?
Do the movement test as soon as possible after receiving your order and leave the labels on. Returns are possible from €5, and you get your money back within 14 days.
