I thought it would be fun to do a little mini-series this week about tips I've learned shopping. Today's tip is size doesn't matter, fit does. What you are looking at today my first maxi dress. That's right, folk, my first one. I don't know if it's the fact that I'm short or what, but I think I've always had in my head that I just won't find one that is the right length. Also, I am way to clumsy to hold a dress all day that is too long when I walk. I actually tried this dress on this summer at Loft in a medium and hated it, it was too big, too long, and it just looked awful. Do you think it occurred to me to try another size? Nope, I just thought it was me. About a week later one of my most stylish friends was sporting this dress at a BBQ and she look amazing. Sigh.
Anyway, I was in Loft recently and this dress was now on sale, I decided to try a small on and what do you know? Perfection. Perfect length, fit, etc. Now I also want this one and this skirt too. So cute. Moral of the story, try two sizes before deciding the item is a yes or no. I tend to do that with tops, but now I'm realizing I need do do that with everything. My tip is to hold the top, dress, or pants up in the size you think will fit. If it looks fuller, try a smaller size too. If it looks narrow, try a size up too. Everything is cut differently and stores vary in size. Although I have a lot of size small tops from Loft, if I tried a small at Old Navy, it would probably be way to small. No one sees the size but you, what others do see is the way your clothing fits, and that's definitely what counts.
Denim Jacket: The Limited similar /Limited Coupon
Dress: Loft $26 same /Loft Coupons
Necklace: Stella and Dot same /Stella and Dot Coupons
Shoes: Target $30 same /Target Coupons
AMEN sister! I have to tell people that all the time.... YOU NEVER KNOW TIL YOU TRY IT ON! Looking so lovely ginny obsessed with that maxi!
ReplyDeleteXO Meghan
citrus fashion
Thank you for these tips Ginny! I thought I was the only one on earth who did not own a maxi! I always feel too short - I am 5'4". I think I need to try one on and see if it works for me. You look great! Blessings! Susan
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right! Depending on the brand the sizes fit so differently. Try everything on!
ReplyDeleteThis is so true! I get different sizes in different store (or even the same store but different fits). I also tend to buy my skirts a size larger because my waist is so high and I want them to sit lower.
ReplyDeleteSo true, fit is everything! I often have to get my clothes tailored if it isn't the perfect fit right out of the store.
ReplyDelete-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
Sept. Group Giveaway!
I totally agree. It's not about the number but how it fits!!! Love this maxi dress with the jean jacket. Great way to wear it for Fall.
ReplyDeleteAgi:)
vodkainfusedlemonade.com
I think this dress looks great on you! And I love it with the jean jacket- perfect for fall. I have smalls, mediums, and larges in my closet- when I started thrifting, I realized the size didn't matter at all.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great tip and such a great dress! I'm glad you thought to try on a different size - maxis look great on you!
ReplyDeleteOh yay! I'm glad you found a maxi dress that fits, and it looks amazing! I totally agree. While I sorta care about the size, I will go up or down without hesitation to see if it looks right. I'm usually the crazy person with a giant pile of things to try on because I've got 2 (or 3!) of everything.
ReplyDeleteOh yay! I'm glad you found a maxi dress that fits, and it looks amazing! I totally agree. While I sorta care about the size, I will go up or down without hesitation to see if it looks right. I'm usually the crazy person with a giant pile of things to try on because I've got 2 (or 3!) of everything.
ReplyDeleteOh that maxi looks so great on you! So glad you were able to find a size that fit you. :) This is something that I have slowly been learning over the last few years. That's such a great point that no one sees the size but you!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely about fit over size! I have a range of sizes in my closet from XS to large. I think once you get over the hurdle of wanting to be a certain size, that shopping becomes a lot more fun! Love your first max dress - great choice!
ReplyDeleteYou're so right! I'm glad you gave it another shot, the maxi looks great on you. These days I think the tag is so arbitrary, especially since the introduction of vanity sizing. I have had a size 2 pants fit me perfectly in one store, but needed a size 12 in another store. Sometimes I'll even try on another of the same item in the same size if the fit seems to be slightly off (where I know sizing up or down would be too much of a difference). Great post, great message!
ReplyDeleteLoving the Maxi Dress. Yes, at times size doesn't matter, more often than you think. You look great, Ginny.
ReplyDeleteAwesome tip! I used to be locked into pants sizes and shoe sizes. The fact is different brands have different fits. You have to go with what looks and feels best! LOVE your first maxi! Welcome to the club. :)
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ReplyDeleteYES! I always tell people this! I have sizes in my closet from size 6-12! Crazy, but every garment is made differently! GREAT advice, Ginny!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Lauren from Modern Modesty
Ugh, something crazy happened with my first comment! That's my punishment for having 15 blog tabs open at once. :P
ReplyDeletewhat I meant to say was....I definitely agree with you--you have the right priorities when it comes to clothes! It's not smart to worry about the size number when apparently every brand uses a slightly different sizing system anyways!
Welcome to the maxi club! They are fabulous. I'm a long-time addict myself. And that is a so true shopping tip - no one but you sees the size, so who care as long as it fits?
ReplyDeleteSo true...though I wish retailers would be more consistent in sizing...makes it annoying shopping online, although I usually order two sizes of most things, but that makes for a lot of returns. Love this dress on you!
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, yes! Such fabulous truth! :-) And you look adorable in the maxi dress! :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is SO true! Every store runs differently in terms of sizing, and I always try things on to make sure they fit before buying!
ReplyDeleteSizing is so crazy these days, it's hard to know where you fall, and you are so right, forget about what the tag says and pay attention to how the clothes look on you!
ReplyDeleteGlad you found the perfect maxi, and got it on sale to boot!
Chic on the Cheap
This is such great advice! My mom always taught me that the number doesn't matter, and "If it bothers you, cut out the tag!" Ha!
ReplyDeleteI love that maxi dress--it looks great with the denim jacket.
Ginny, you make valid points. I just had a conversation with a few friends regarding this issue. Many women/men are afraid to size up because of the #s they see. It's definitely true that each company has their own sizing philosophy. =]
ReplyDeleteThis dress is gorgeous and it is so so so so true! I mean changes from store to store to store! I hate feeling like being a certain "size" is the right thing and you're right, you can look like a million bucks if the fit is right! And I think thrifiting has helped me with this because all vintage items I wear technically 4 sizes bigger than I am, but it doesn't bother me at all! If it looks good on me, who cares what the size is!
ReplyDeleteI love your dress! You are totally right, size does not matter at all! I went into a shop a couple weeks ago and bought 4 different things in 4 different sizes!
ReplyDeleteCorinne x
www.skinnedcartree.com
What a gorgeous dress!!!!! I love it!!! I love anything navy and red! :)
ReplyDeleteYou look so comfy in this outfit. Yes, size doesn't matter. The fit is everything. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeletetotally agree...size should not matter...fit matters! If only we could get rid of the stigma of size!
ReplyDeletexo,
nancy
http://adoretoadorn.blogspot.com
I have finally gotten to a point in my life where I'm not caring so much about the size on the label of my clothing anymore. I recently tried on a pair of pants at a store that were way too tight in my "normal" size...and the ones that fit me well and actually looked amazing on me were TWO sizes up from where I am usually (at that store, and at others). Instead of getting all bent out of shape about the size of the pants, all I could think about was how awesome I looked in them!!
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