What the bestseller list tells you

Short answer: The list shows what most people have bought, not necessarily what is best for you. It is a good place to start and a poor place to finish.

What the list actually measures

The list measures the number of pieces sold over a period. That is not the same as satisfaction, durability or fit. It tells you what has been bought most, not what has been worn most or lasted longest. That is an important difference to keep in mind when you read it.

Why an item can end up on top

An item can be a best seller because it is cheap, or because it is the only one in its category. It can also sell well because it has been on offer. Its position therefore says nothing in itself about quality. It says something about sales, and you should be able to tell the two apart.

Why it is useful anyway

An item that has been bought many times has usually been bought again by the same people. That says something, especially in basics, where people buy the same thing again and again. When many return to the same item, it suggests that it works in daily life. See best sellers for the whole list.

How to use it properly

Use the list to find candidates, then read the reviews and the measurements. The list is the beginning of your choice and not the end. Pick three or four items that look right and compare them on material, measurements and price. That gives you a basis built on more than what others have put in their basket.

Read the reviews

Reviews tell you what the list does not. They mention size, time in use and fit, and a pattern across several reviews is worth more than a single sales figure. Read them for the items you found on the list, and see whether they confirm what the sales suggest before you put anything in your basket.

Men and women separately

The best seller lists are usually split into men and women, because the range and sizes differ. That makes it easier to find what is relevant to you. See best sellers for men and best sellers for women, and choose the list that fits what you are looking for.

How long a period

The list covers a period, and it varies. Often it is the last thirty to ninety days. That means the list changes over time, and an item can move up and down without having become better or worse. Read the list as a snapshot and not as a lasting ranking.

When an item does not suit you

A best seller does not automatically suit your body or your needs. If an item sells well but runs small on you, it is not a good buy for you. Measure yourself and compare with the size chart. Fit is individual, and a list of sales figures cannot do that work for you.

Use it as a starting point

The list is a good place to start if you do not know what to look for. It narrows the field, so you do not have to go through the whole range. But it cannot stand alone. Read the description, look at the measurements and check the reviews before you decide what goes in the basket.