Need Help Deciphering Shirt Measurements to Avoid Slim Fit Mishaps
Hi everyone, I’m hoping to get some advice after a frustrating experience. I recently purchased a shirt listed as a "medium" that turned out to be slim fit—way too small for me. I’m out $70 and can’t return it due to international forwarding (I’m in South America).
My question: Is there a standard for shirt measurements (chest, waist, length) across brands? When sellers list measurements, how do I interpret them reliably?
I tried using AI and googling. AI indicated the shirt in question was slim fit based on the barcode, but wasn't visible in the listing. How do experienced buyers/sellers navigate this? Should I always message sellers for specific measurements (chest, shoulder, length) even if listed? Are there red flags to watch for in listings?
Thanks for any advice. After all these years buying (and selling) from eBay, I never bought clothing until now. I'm surprised at some of the great deals to be had. However, those deals aren't so great if I have to factor in getting stuck with the wrong fit.
monroe67
·1 year ago"After all these years buying (and selling) from eBay, I never bought clothing until now. I'm surprised at some of the great deals to be had. However, those deals aren't so great if I have to factor in getting stuck with the wrong fit."
Guess what: e-v-e-r-y person who buys clothing on eBay takes the chance that they will be "stuck with the wrong fit."
As I said in my response to one of your two earlier posts on this same subject --
If an eBay listing does not list the information that is important to me I simply do not buy it. This applies to clothing and shoes as well as plastic storage containers, picture frames, luggage, embroidery threads, sewing patterns, baking pans -- all of which are things I have purchased and/or sold on eBay.
That is my advice to you, especially since you are buying shirts online and cannot try on a shirt that is physically thousands of miles from you: Do Not Buy if you are not absolutely positive that the shirt will fit.
You made a bad purchase. You're not the first and you won't be the last. You are, in fact, stuck with that shirt. Maybe you could try to sell it on eBay yourself. Maybe you could donate it to a charity.
One more thing: By my count you have posted three separate threads on this subject. This one today might well be considered to be repetitive. eBay and the moderators of these threads do not like repetitive threads. It won't be me, I promise you, but somebody might click on the down arrow (located above the date in your post) and report you and your repetitive posts. You probably won't like the consequences.
kathiec
·1 year ago@gsusser
No, there is absolutely no standardization in sizes, not only across clothing manufacturers but also within a single manufacturer. This is the third post you've made about this issue. Since it obviously has greatly upset you I would gently suggest that perhaps you'd be better off buying clothes in person, particularly since there is no easy or cheap way to return them when purchasing from the US.
gsusser
OP1 year agoKathiec, I have tried to be polite. I obviously am in the weeds about buying clothing on ebay and looked to the experts here for help. Why are you disturbed that I asked 3 questions in order to help me understand the rules and get tips? It was not like I was being repetitive. Anyway, thanks to the others that help me clarify things.
kathiec
·1 year agoI never said you weren't polite, and my apologies if you took it that way. But I also tried to be polite. Sometimes beating a dead horse is just beating a dead horse. I don't buy clothes on eBay, and I live in the US. I've.just learned to accept that fit is fickle, no matter much you wish that weren't true.
gsusser
OP1 year agoThanks to everyone who offered helpful input, it's much appreciated. I’ve never bought clothes on eBay before—only from retailers where I knew the sizing. But now that I’ve relocated to South America (where clothing options are... limited), I’ve had to venture into the mysterious world of online clothing purchases. And for a guy whose life goal has always been to set the world record for fastest clothing purchase, this is unfamiliar territory.
Not sure why some of the responses were so hostile. I don't post just to hear myself talk—trust me, I'm not that interesting. In fact, I post here about once every blue moon. I genuinely tried to keep the posts relevant and avoid repetition, though I included relevant background stuff as the situation evolved.
And Monroe67… while you shared some helpful advice, it’s hard to take it in when it’s served with a side of mean. That “somebody might report you†comment? Come on. Relax. This is a forum, not a reality TV confessional.
Anyway, thanks again to those who responded constructively—I learned a lot and will definitely approach eBay shopping a bit differently next time!
wastingtime101
·1 year agoExpanding on my advice from earlier @gsusser :
I saw one of your other threads and you said you typically buy that same brand shirt, but not in slim fit.
So take one of your shirts that's regular fit. Measure it. Now take the slim fit one. Measure that. You should see differences.
That'll tell you more about what's too small and what's within your range. As I mentioned earlier, measure a handful of your shirts so you get a better idea of what works for you.
When you shop, look for listings where seller provided Length, Chest, Shoulders. If you're concerned about slim fit, you may need another measurement like waist and/or hem. You'll know when you compare the slim fit shirt you have to the regular fit shirt.
Even with measurements not every garment will fit the way you want because of different fabrics and cuts, but you'll greatly increase your odds of a successful fit.
Hope that helps.
gsusser
OP1 year agoI owe your sizing advice an apology—I almost dismissed it as tedious, but now realize it’s the only way to avoid shirts that fit like sausage casings.
And my Congressman will get an earful: Dear Congressman: Please pass the Uniform Sizing Act so a 'medium' actually fits a medium-size human. Signed, Someone tired of playing clothing roulette."
wastingtime101
·1 year agoTake a look at both of these @gsusser and tell me you expect to find uniform sizing. 😂
https://www.buzzfeed.com/adeonibada/this-woman-made-a-really-important-observation-about-how
https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/ywh0je/moms_new_jeans_all_same_size_brand_and_cut/
Besides, the dude that wears slim fit may be annoyed that the regular fit shirt is so loose. Even if uniform sizing existed (which it never will), there are always going to be different cuts for different body types.
When you shop clothing online you pretty much have to go by measurements.
wastingtime101
·1 year agoThere is no standard with clothing measurements.
Your best option is to lay flat a shirt you own that fits well and measure it. Actually, measure several so you have an idea of the range.
If measurements are in the listing description, why would you message the seller to ask for measurements?
mtgraves7984
·1 year ago@gsusser
Ah... the shirt that keep on giving. There is no 'standard' measurements across brands, but the measurements of the shirt you bought are in the listing. Did you compare those to a shirt from your closet, and did they match the polo you bought?