How to find the brand that fits your body

Short answer: Try one piece from three brands rather than three pieces from one brand. Fit follows the brand's own pattern, and you find the pattern that matches your body faster by testing broadly rather than deeply with a single brand.

Every brand has its own pattern

Brands design clothes based on their own idea of a typical body, and that idea varies a lot between brands. Two models in the same size from two brands can therefore fit completely differently, even though the label shows the same number.

The pattern often applies to the whole range

Once a brand has chosen a pattern, it is typically used across most of the collection. That means a brand that fits well on top often fits well in other models too. See bamboo clothing for women.

Test broadly before you buy deeply

Buy one piece from three different brands instead of three pieces from the same brand when trying to work out what fits you. That gives you more information per dollar than repeating the same brand three times. See bamboo t-shirt for women.

Stick with what works

Once you have found a pattern that fits, it is often the simplest path forward to stay with that brand across most categories. It saves both time and mistaken purchases, since you already know the fit.

Write the size down per brand

Your size can vary from brand to brand, even within the same type of clothing. Note the size next to the brand name so you do not have to guess again next time. See bamboo underwear for women.

The size chart says more than a letter

A size S does not mean the same thing at every brand. Use the size chart on the product page and compare your own measurements to it, instead of just going by the letter you usually pick.

The fabric also affects the fit

A fabric with more stretch sits closer to the body than a stiff one, even in the same cut. It is worth looking at the fabric, not just the cut, when judging whether a model fits you. See bamboo socks for women.

Test with the shoes and underwear you use

Try the garment together with what you will actually wear it with, since layers underneath can change how the fit feels. That gives a more honest picture than trying the piece completely alone.

How to use the experience going forward

Save your notes on brand, size and model somewhere you can find again, for example in your phone's notes. That saves you from starting over each time you shop for clothes online.

Frequently asked questions

How do you find the right brand for your body?

Try one piece from several brands rather than several pieces from one. Fit follows the brand's own pattern, and broad testing gives you information fastest.