Reviews and how to read them

Short answer: Read the concrete reviews and disregard the ones without content. A review that mentions size and time in use is worth more than ten stars without text.

What to look for

Look for reviews that say which size the writer bought and how long the item has been in use. Those two details make a review useful, because you can compare with your own situation. Without them you do not know whether the writer resembles you or whether the item has had the kind of use you have in mind.

What you can disregard

Reviews written the day after delivery say something about the delivery and nothing about the item. The same goes for stars without text, which do not say what the writer was happy or unhappy with. They cannot settle anything, and you need not let them affect your choice when better information exists.

Size and fit

Fit is what reviews are best at showing. If the writer gives their height, their normal size and the one they bought, you can use that directly. Read the reviews on the individual items, for example under bamboo t-shirts for men, and compare with the measurements on the product page.

Time in use counts

A review from someone who has used the item for a couple of months says more than one from day one. It can reveal whether the fabric keeps its shape, whether the colour holds, and whether the item still fits well after several washes. If there is no note of how long, read the review with that caveat.

Patterns rather than single voices

If five different people say the garment runs small, that is information. If only one says it, it may be that person's body and not the item. So look for patterns, not for a single voice, however strongly it is worded. See bamboo clothing for women and read what recurs.

Bad reviews

A bad review is not a warning sign in itself. Read what it is about. If it is about a size that did not fit, it says something about fit, and that may be useful to you. If it is about something that recurs among several, take it seriously. An angry review without explanation you can disregard.

How many it takes

It takes ten or more reviews before patterns become reliable. With two or three, chance can play too big a part, and one deviating voice can change the picture. If there are few reviews, use them as a hint and add the product description and size chart, which do not depend on who wrote them.

Combine with the bestseller list

The bestseller list shows what most people have bought. Use it to find candidates, then read the reviews to see whether the item lives up to its popularity. See best sellers and look at the reviews for items that interest you. An item that sells well and gets concrete reviews is a good starting point.

Write one yourself

If you have bought an item, you can write a review yourself. Give your size and your height, and say how long you have used the item. That makes your review useful to the next person facing the same choice, and the concrete details help most. There is no need to write at length if you stick to what matters.