Why Retailers and Shoppers Need Better Sizing

Online shopping has made it easier than ever to buy clothes, but it has also created a massive problem—returns. Many shoppers order multiple sizes of the same item just to try them on at home, leading to high return rates. While this might seem like a harmless habit, the reality is that returns come with hidden costs—both for retailers and for the environment.

Why Do So Many Clothes Get Returned?

One of the biggest reasons for high return rates is poor sizing information. Unlike in a physical store, where you can try clothes on, online shopping often relies on size charts that are inconsistent between brands. This forces customers to guess their size or order multiple sizes just to be safe.

Some key reasons why clothes get returned:

• Inconsistent sizing – A size M in one brand may fit like a size S in another.
• Fit issues – Shoppers can’t try before they buy, leading to mismatched expectations.
• Quality surprises – Items may look different in person than they do in photos.
• "Bracketing" purchases – Many shoppers order multiple sizes with the intent to return some.

The Hidden Costs of Returns

Returns don’t just cost customers time - they create a major financial and environmental burden.

The Financial Burden on Retailers

• Logistics Costs - Processing a return is expensive. Retailers must pay for return shipping, warehouse restocking, and quality checks.
• Lost Revenue - Returned items are often resold at a discount or, worse, discarded if they can’t be resold.
• Increased Customer Service Load - More returns mean more support tickets, refund processing, and unhappy customers.

The Environmental Impact

• Carbon Emissions - Shipping returns back and forth increases CO₂ emissions.
• Waste from Unresellable Items - Some returned clothes end up in landfills or incinerated if they can’t be restocked.
• Packaging Waste - Every return involves extra packaging, creating more waste.

How Better Sizing Can Reduce Returns

The key to solving this problem? Better sizing tools and technology.

Virtual Fitting & AI Sizing Tools

Smart sizing solutions - like SizeMeApp - use real customer measurements to recommend the best fit instead of relying on vague size charts.

Standardized Sizing Across Brands

If the fashion industry adopted universal size standards, it would make online shopping far more predictable for customers.

Educating Shoppers on Proper Measurements

Customers often measure themselves incorrectly. Retailers should provide clear measurement guides to help shoppers find their exact size.

The Future of Sizing & Smarter Shopping

Retailers that invest in better sizing solutions will see:

• Lower return rates
• Higher customer satisfaction
• Reduced environmental impact

For shoppers, the benefits are just as great: fewer sizing mistakes, less hassle, and a better shopping experience.

At SizeMeApp, we believe that accurate sizing is the future of online fashion. It’s time for both retailers and shoppers to rethink how they approach fit - because the cost of getting it wrong is just too high.

Have You Ever Struggled with Online Sizing?

Tell us about your experience with online sizing! Have you ever had to return an item because it didn’t fit? What do you think would help solve this issue?