Finding the Perfect Clothing Fit: Tips for Buying African Fashion

There is nothing more devastating than buying a piece of clothing and being so excited to wear it, only to find out that it’s too big or worse, too tight. Nevertheless, online shopping is the future of commerce and its important to adapt with the changes or get left behind. The right size is important when it comes to shopping online for African fashion. And yet, its not always easy to find the perfect clothing fit because sizing runs differently across different brands. Every clothing brand has its own sizing system and they are all different. Size 6 with brand A could be a size 8 with brand B and thus, you need to know and keep your measurements handy for every single purchase. Figuring it out when you do not have a sewing background can get quite overwhelming. Nevertheless, whether you are seeking a fabulous wedding guest outfit or just want to enjoy the experience of owning African attire, these tips we discuss below will be helpful to you. Keep reading to immerse yourself in how to have an effortless shopping experience that’s worth your time and money.

Check the type of fabrics being used

Before you purchase anything online, it is important to read the product description and take note of the fabric(s) that are used in the production of that item. As I have mentioned before in other articles, most of what is referred to as African wax print fabrics and the clothes that are made with them do not stretch. This means that you cannot buy a small-sized clothing item expecting it to stretch wide enough so that it fits a medium sized person. It will not work. African wax print fabrics are usually 100% cotton and have no stretch to them. Note: In recent years, there has been the influx on stretch fabrics with the print designs on them. These are often polyester or a mix of cotton and polyester or other materials. They are not authentic wax prints but if you prefer them, it will be up to you to decide.

Search for the brand’s sizing chart

Reputable brands will always have a size chart on their website and will refer to it often throughout their product descriptions. Make sure you take a look at their sizing to figure out where you fit in. You might discover that they use US or UK sizes in either inches or centimetres, and then it might be important to know both. The most used and universally acceptable metric of clothing measurement is inches. At least, you should be able to look at, then compare different size charts online and translate the numbers to your own true fit. While doing this, ensure you have a measuring tape with you and can reach for it easily to measure yourself.

Use a measuring tape to measure yourself

Tape measures are inexpensive to buy and can be found as the general store closest to you. A regular tape measure is 60 inches in length but if you are looking for plus-size numbers, you can get the one that is longer and up to 100 inches. If you cannot find the plus size tape measure, you can do a second take of the measurements where the first one ends and then add the metrics to get your final number. Measuring yourself seems self-explanatory but its not always easy to do. Generally speaking, the most important measurements you will need are your shoulders, bust, waist, hips, bodice length and full length. Once you have your measurements, make sure they are written down in a book and keep it somewhere safe so that you can refer to it regularly. Look at it anytime you are shopping online and then look at the brand’s size chart to see where you fit. If you discover that you are in-between sizes, it is always a better idea to size-up with the larger size rather than sizing down. Personally, I like to have some sort of allowance for movement with my African clothes and so I measure loosely and not too tight. To visually illustrate how to measure yourself, I searched online for a good video tutorial on how to take your own body measurements and you can watch it below. 

Consider the style of clothing you want

Clothes will always differ in size depending on the style. This is because certain types of clothes are sewn in various ways. If you are getting a jumpsuit, the sizing is definitely going to be different from the kaftan —  a loose-fitting outfit with lots of room and which tends to be a few sizes bigger than usual. After you have found the brand’s size chart and taken measurements of yourself, you will want to consider the style of the outfit and how it compares with your own size. It is always a good idea to go with a fit that accommodates the largest measurement of your own body as it correlates to the style. For example, if you are buying a pair of trousers, while the waist measurements are important to have, you will want to also select the right fit based on your hip size and height (or trouser length). On the other hand, if you want an a-line dress that is usually sewn to be free-fitting from the waist downwards, the most important measurement to consider is your upper body, which includes the bust for the perfect clothing fit. Bodycon dresses are tight-fitting or snug, so this means all your body measurements will be considered. But a flared skirt is worn to hang at the waist, so this will be the most important part of your body to measure since afterall, it often drapes loosely over the hips.

Read the brand’s return and refund policy

Worst case scenario, let’s say you did buy an item that fell short of expectations. You can always return it and get a refund. To do this without any hiccups in the process, make sure you have read the return policy beforehand. Communicate with them and clarify any other questions you have about the item in advance. Do you due diligence and ensure you have conducted enough research. Not all brands offer returns. Some do exchanges only. Therefore, it is important to know what you are getting into to prevent any type of disappointment in the future. 

At the end of the day, size really matters and hopefully, you are now ready for purchasing your first African fashion item or a series of additional outfits from online stores.

Did you watch the video tutorial on how to measure yourself for the perfect clothing fit? Share your thoughts on it in the comments.