I have never been able to find denim trousers that fit me perfectly.

They’ve always been too short.

And when I found ones that were long enough, either the waist was too loose, or the hips were too baggy.

I just couldn’t win.

Over time, I realized I’m not the only one struggling with these fit issues.

From dresses that fit at the waist but are too tight around the hips, to blouse armholes that are so small they cut into your underarms, it’s a very common and frustrating problem.

Today, I’ll be discussing why this happens.

And no, it’s not as accidental as you think.

Learn in 5 minutes.

Why can’t you find clothes that fit well?
Why should you care?
You deserve clothes that fit perfectly.

Why Can’t You Find Clothes That Fit Well?

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1. Inconsistent sizing across brands.

Ever noticed how you’re a size 6 in one store and somehow grow into a 12 by the time you arrive at the next?

Well, it’s because each brand chooses a sizing standard based on their target demographic and marketing strategy.

Some brands use inches, others use cms.

Some brands design with a more athletic body in mind, others target a curvier figure.

Some brands use vanity sizing (labeling larger garments with smaller sizes) to appeal to customers’ desire to wear a smaller size—others do the exact opposite.

These differences make shopping, especially online, a gamble. You buy something in what you believe is your size, only for it to fit like a child’s cartoon drawing of you.

So, you fall into the time-consuming and expensive cycle of buying multiple sizes of the same item to find the best fit.

Over the years, attempts have been made to standardize sizes across brands. But the fashion industry has been reluctant to do so.

Why?

I’ll leave you to answer that question.

2. The mythical ‘standard’ body shape.

It feels like most ready-to-wear clothes are made for perfect creatures with perfect proportions.

If you’ve got breasts, curves, height, or any feature that doesn’t fit into this narrow definition, then good luck.

Your trousers will always be either too long or too short.
Your blouse will be too loose or too tight in the bust area.
Your dress might fit at the waist but will be too tight across the hips.

Finding clothes that fit becomes a nightmare.

All because those who mass-produce them have decided to standardize your unique body shape according to arbitrary bust, waist, and hip measurements.

How frustrating.

3. Impulse buying.

AKA the art of going grocery shopping when you’re starving.

Everything looks delicious until you get home and wonder why you have six different types of bread but no actual food.

Impulse buys often end up being those pieces in your wardrobe that gather dust, tags still on, whispering tales of what could have been if only they fit.

They’re the clothes you wear once, feeling slightly off all day, only to never wear them again.

Nothing good comes out of buying before you think.

4. Fast fashion.

Speed and quality are not best friends.

In the past, designers, pattern makers, and tailors worked closely to create garments that beautifully conformed to the human body.

But, as the fashion industry started to rush to get new styles out at lower prices, they stopped doing some key things like making multiple samples to make sure the fit was right.

The result?

Poor construction, weird fits, wonky seams, and fabric that does everything but flatter you.

Little wonder that 70% of returns are due to poor fit or style, according to McKinsey.

And that’s unfortunately, how we keep the wasteful cycle of overproducing, overbuying and over returning going.

5. Changing body shapes.

What do hormones, aging, pregnancy, illnesses, medications and lifestyle shifts all have in common?

Body shape bingo.

One year you’re in love with your comfy trousers, and the next, you’re wondering why everything’s either suffocatingly tight or mysteriously baggy.

And for some reason, it always takes us by surprise!

Why?

(Gradual change) We don’t notice our bodies changing daily until we wake up one day and gasp at the person staring back at us in the mirror.
(Memory Bias) Then we think back on times when our bodies were at their peak and compare it to what we look like now.
(Psychological Denial) We also don’t like the idea of our bodies changing because we’re scared of aging, health problems, or admitting how our lifestyle choices affect our bodies.But accepting that your body will change over time is key if you want to always have clothes that fit.

Why Should You Care?

Because when your clothes dont fit well you’ll feel :

Uncomfortable.
Insecure about your body.
Self-Conscious and critical of your appearance.
Frustrated with the daunting experience of buying clothes.
Wasteful with money you spend on clothes that you can’t wear.
And disappointed, especially if it’s an outfit you were looking forward to wearing.You don’t have to feel this way.

You Deserve Clothes That Fit Perfectly.

Step 1: Identify brands that fit you well.

Start by picking out different categories of clothes from your wardrobe that fit you perfectly.

Write down the brand, size, and measurements of each item.

With this info, you can confidently buy these brands used, expecting a good fit.

Step 2: Know your personal measurements.

There’s nothing fun about playing guessing games with sizes.

Grab a measuring tape, measure your body and store the numbers on your phone or computer.

This way, you can quickly find clothes that fit well when shopping online.

But even with all this preparation, some clothes may still need minor adjustments to achieve a perfect fit.

Step 3 : Embrace the ‘Tailor-Made’ life.

Find a tailor who gets you and can adjust the fit of your clothes so each piece looks custom-made for you.

Tailoring might sound expensive but it’s more affordable than you think—especially when you buy second-hand.

Well-fitting clothes mean less frequent replacements and more savings over time.

If you’re in the UK Sojo (not sponsored) makes it easy to have your clothes tailored without having to leave your home.

For smaller adjustments, learning some basic sewing skills can be incredibly empowering and cost-effective.

Simple tasks like hemming trousers, taking in a waist, or even sewing on a button have helped me create and curate clothes that fit me like a glove.

And there are numerous online tutorials on the university of youtube to help you get started.

Step 4 : Kick impulsive buying to the curb.

I’ve written about it in detail here.

Step 5 : Embrace body changes.

Have a variety of clothes that can work well with your ever-changing body, so you always have something great to wear.

For example, I have some loose one-size-fits-all dresses, elastic-waist trousers, oversized blouses, and jackets in my wardrobe.

They are perfect for body transition periods and keep me comfortable without compromising on style.

Your body will continue to change, whether due to natural fluctuations, life events, or simply the passage of time, and the most significant statement you can make is one of self-acceptance.

P.S. Life is too short to walk around in clothes that don’t fit.

What did you think about today’s newsletter?

Reply to let me know!

And please forward this to your friends if you liked it. 😉

See you next week,

-Yosi

The Truth Behind Why Nothing Ever Fits Perfectly.