I Always Order the Wrong Clothes Size Online — How to Fix It
Online shopping is easy — until it’s not. The excitement of finding the perfect dress, jeans, or blazer often ends with frustration when it arrives and doesn’t fit. If you’ve ever muttered “I always order the wrong clothes size online” — you’re far from alone.
Whether you’re a size 10 in one brand and a 14 in another, or you’ve had to return every pair of jeans you bought this year, this guide explains why it happens, how to prevent it, and how Tellar.co.uk makes it effortless to get your size right every time.
Why You Keep Ordering the Wrong Size
Before fixing the issue, you need to understand why it’s happening. These are the most common causes:
1. Clothing Sizes Aren’t Standardised
A UK size 12 in Zara is not the same as a UK 12 in M&S or Mango. Brands use different:
Fit models
Size blocks
Grading rules
Fabric tolerances
This means the same labelled size may vary by 2–3 inches in actual garment measurements.
2. You’re Using Guesswork
Many shoppers rely on their size from a favourite brand and assume it transfers. But without knowing your real body measurements, you’re shopping blind.
3. Vanity Sizing and Regional Differences
Some US brands like Abercrombie or Hollister label clothes smaller to make shoppers feel slimmer. Others, like COS or H&M, skew larger or lean Nordic. UK and EU sizing also diverge significantly, and even “S, M, L” sizing lacks consistency.
4. No One Likes Size Charts
Most shoppers skip size charts — they’re often confusing, incomplete, or too generic. And if the product is stretchy or structured, the chart may not reflect fit accurately at all.
The Real Cost of Sizing Mistakes
Returns: The average online return rate is over 30%, mostly due to poor fit.
Time wasted: Multiple returns delay wear and reduce satisfaction.
Wasted money: You pay for delivery, returns, and sometimes keep items you can’t wear.
Environmental impact: Every return leaves a carbon footprint — in shipping and discarded inventory.
This is a universal pain point, but it’s fixable.
How to Fix It: 5 Practical Steps
1. Know Your Measurements
Before you shop again, measure these 3 areas:
Chest (fullest part)
Waist (narrowest part)
Hips (widest part)
You don’t need a tailor — just a soft tape measure and a mirror. If you don’t have one, you can even use string and a ruler.
👉 For a full guide: How to Measure Yourself
2. Stop Guessing — Use a Fit Matching Tool
This is where Tellar.co.uk comes in.
Tellar is the UK’s leading free sizing tool that matches your exact body measurements to the right size in 1,500+ fashion brands — including Zara, Mango, Hollister, COS, and more.
You simply:
Enter your measurements once
Instantly get your perfect size in each store
No charts, no conversions, no guessing
It’s accurate, fast, and designed specifically for UK shoppers.
“Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.”
3. Learn Brand-Specific Fit Behaviours
Understanding how certain brands cut their clothing can help:
Brand Fit Tends To…
Zara Run small, especially trousers and jackets
Mango Slightly more generous but inconsistent across styles
H&M Unpredictable, especially in trousers and dresses
Hollister Runs small in tops and denim, better with Curve Love fit
Massimo Dutti More tailored, closer to European size standards
COS Oversized by design, especially tops and outerwear
With Tellar.co.uk, you don’t need to memorise all this — the tool accounts for each brand’s quirks behind the scenes.
4. Look for Actual Garment Measurements
Some brands now list:
Garment width (laid flat)
Inseam and rise
Stretch percentage
Compare these to your measurements for a clearer idea of fit. But again — this is time-consuming and varies between retailers. Tellar simplifies this.
5. Avoid Buying Based on Hopes
Avoid thinking:
“I’ll fit into this after I lose weight”
or
“This might stretch out.”
Fit should be based on your current shape, not the hanger or the model photo.
How Tellar.co.uk Solves It All Instantly
Let’s say you usually wear:
A size 10 in New Look
But your Zara order came up too small
And your H&M jeans gape at the waist
Tellar uses your actual chest, waist, and hip measurements to determine:
Your real equivalent size in every brand
Which brand size will fit you best
How different stores interpret your measurements
It works in seconds, is completely free, and you never have to check a size chart again.
Try it now:
▶ www.Tellar.co.uk
Related Posts to Help You Shop Smarter
What’s My Size in Zara?
Does Mango Run Big or Small?
Why Clothing Sizes Vary So Much
How to Shop for Clothes That Actually Fit
Final Thought
If you’re constantly ordering the wrong size online, it’s not your fault. The fashion industry’s inconsistent sizing, regional differences, and lack of transparency make it incredibly difficult for anyone to get it right.
But you can stop second-guessing, stop returning, and start getting clothes that actually fit — the first time.
The solution?
✔ Know your measurements
✔ Match them to brands with Tellar
✔ Shop smarter, not harder
Try It Now – It’s 100% Free
Tellar.co.uk
UK’s Leading Free Sizing Tool
“Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.”
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