This guide is for shoppers who have found a dress, suit, jacket, skirt or pair of trousers online but are unsure which size will fit. A familiar letter on the label is not enough: the same customer may need different sizes across brands, cuts and fabrics. A more reliable decision begins with a small set of accurate body measurements, followed by a comparison with the dimensions and construction of the chosen garment.
The label is a starting point, not a measurement
Recent international data shows why relying on S, M or L alone creates uncertainty. A 2025 Vogue Business survey of 687 readers in the United States and the United Kingdom found that 91% said their clothing size changes depending on the brand. Poor fit discouraged 43% from purchasing, while inconsistent sizing discouraged 36%. These figures are not specific to Kazakhstan, but they clearly illustrate a widespread problem in online fashion.
Before comparing sizes, it helps to identify the exact type of garment on the by.olga.shop company page on Mytrade.kz. A relaxed shirt, a structured blazer and a fitted dress may all carry the same size label while requiring completely different amounts of room at the bust, waist, shoulders and hips.
The National Retail Federation estimated that 19.3% of online retail sales would be returned in 2025, with total retail returns projected at $849.9 billion. Apparel-specific research from Coresight Research found an average online clothing return rate of 24.4% in its US survey, while 53% of participating brands and retailers named size or fit as the leading reason for returns.
Create a personal measurement passport
Take measurements over thin underwear or close-fitting clothing. Stand naturally, keep both feet flat and breathe normally. The tape should touch the body without pressing into it. Use a mirror or ask another person to check that the tape remains horizontal around the bust, waist and hips.
| Measurement | Where to place the tape | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Height | From the floor to the top of the head, without shoes | Helps assess overall garment, sleeve and trouser length |
| Full bust | Around the fullest part of the chest, level across the back | Critical for dresses, shirts, tops, blazers and coats |
| Underbust | Directly below the bust, parallel to the floor | Useful for fitted bodices and closely shaped dresses |
| Natural waist | Around the narrowest part of the torso without pulling the stomach in | Important for dresses, high-rise trousers and skirts |
| Garment waist level | At the point where the waistband is intended to sit | Needed for mid-rise and lower-rise trousers or skirts |
| Full hip | Around the widest part of the hips and seat, with feet together | Essential for trousers, skirts, dresses and suit bottoms |
| Shoulder width | Across the back from one shoulder edge to the other | Determines whether jackets, shirts and coats sit correctly |
| Upper-arm circumference | Around the fullest part between the shoulder and elbow | Useful for narrow or non-stretch sleeves |
| Sleeve length | From the shoulder point over a slightly bent elbow to the wrist | Prevents sleeves from appearing too short when the arm moves |
| Inside leg | From the crotch point to the intended hem | Helps choose trousers without relying only on the model’s height |
Save the figures in your phone together with the date. They can then be compared with the models shown among the current women’s clothing offers from by.olga.shop. Recheck the measurements before ordering a closely fitted item or whenever your usual clothes begin to feel different.
Use a different measurement set for each garment
Not every number has equal importance for every purchase. Start by identifying the areas where the garment will be closest to the body. Jenny Freshwater, vice president of Amazon Fashion and Fitness, described the issue directly: “Customers struggle to find the right fit when shopping for fashion online.” The practical response is to evaluate each category by its most restrictive points.
| Garment | Primary measurements | Extra checks before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| Fitted dress | Bust, natural waist, full hip | Shoulders, upper arm, garment length and fabric stretch |
| Loose dress | Bust, shoulders and total length | Hip room, sleeve width and intended silhouette |
| Blazer | Bust, shoulders and upper arm | Sleeve length, waist shaping and back length |
| Two-piece suit | Bust and shoulders for the jacket; waist and hips for the trousers | Check each piece separately rather than assuming one size fits both |
| Trousers | Waistband level, full hip and inside leg | Thigh circumference, rise and intended shoe height |
| Skirt | Waistband level and full hip | Length and walking room in a narrow cut |
| Shirt or top | Bust and shoulders | Upper arm, sleeve length and waist shaping |
Measurements explain the size, but video helps explain the silhouette. The by.olga.shop outfit videos can be used to observe how a jacket closes, where a trouser leg falls and how much volume remains when the wearer moves.
For a broader comparison of cuts and styling proportions, the short-form fashion videos on Mytrade.kz can provide visual context. They should support, rather than replace, the size chart and garment measurements.
Body measurements and garment measurements are not interchangeable
This distinction causes many ordering mistakes. ISO 8559 states that clothing size designation is based on body measurements, while garment dimensions are selected by designers and manufacturers according to style, cut and intended ease. A chart headed “bust 96 cm” may therefore refer either to the customer’s body or to the finished garment. Those two figures serve different purposes.
Suppose your bust measures 94 cm and the finished blazer measures 104 cm around the chest. The difference is 10 cm. That space may allow movement, a shirt underneath and the relaxed line intended by the designer. The same 10 cm difference could be excessive for a body-skimming dress and insufficient for outerwear worn over several layers.
Ask one question before comparing numbers
Confirm whether the chart contains body dimensions or actual garment dimensions. When only the garment is measured, compare it with a similar item you already own and like. Lay that item flat without stretching it, then record the shoulder width, underarm width, waist, hip, sleeve and full length.
The editorial materials in the by.olga.shop news and offers section can be used to review fit, wardrobe planning and online selection as connected decisions rather than isolated purchases.
The two-size dilemma: which measurement should lead?
Many bodies do not fit neatly into one row of a chart. A shopper may match one size at the bust, another at the waist and a third at the hips. The correct response is not automatically to choose the largest number. First determine which part of the garment has the least flexibility.
| Situation | Measurement to prioritise | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Structured blazer with defined shoulders | Shoulders and bust | Shoulder construction is harder to correct through styling |
| Fitted dress with little stretch | Largest of bust, waist or hip requirements | The tightest area determines comfort and movement |
| Elastic-waist skirt | Full hip and waistband range | The garment must pass over the hips and remain secure at the waist |
| Wide-leg trousers | Waist, full hip and rise | Leg width does not compensate for an incorrect seat or waistband fit |
| Relaxed shirt | Bust and shoulders | Extra waist room is usually part of the intended silhouette |
| Two-piece suit | Jacket and trousers assessed independently | Upper and lower body proportions often require different sizes |
Joëlle Grunberg of McKinsey has highlighted “accurate sizing tools” among the measures used by brands that manage fit inconsistency more successfully. For the shopper, a measuring tape, a clear chart and one well-fitting reference garment perform the same basic function: they replace guesswork with comparable data.
Seven small errors that distort the result
- Measuring over a jumper, padded bra or thick trousers.
- Pulling the tape tight to obtain a smaller number.
- Allowing the tape to rise across the back during a bust measurement.
- Measuring the natural waist when the garment waistband sits several centimetres lower.
- Taking sleeve length with the arm completely straight.
- Measuring hips with the feet positioned far apart.
- Using centimetres from one chart and inches from another without converting them.
Repeat every key measurement twice. When the two results differ by more than approximately 1 cm, correct your posture and the tape position before measuring again. For asymmetrical designs, rigid fabrics or unusually shaped sleeves, request the dimensions of the exact garment rather than relying only on the general chart.
A five-step check before pressing the order button
- Record the body measurements required for the chosen garment category.
- Confirm whether the size chart refers to the body or the finished item.
- Compare the figures with a similar garment that already fits well.
- Review the fabric composition, stretch and intended silhouette.
- Choose according to the least flexible area of the garment, not the familiar label.
When comparing clothing and accessories from different sellers, the English-language Mytrade.kz marketplace can be used as a starting point. The final size decision should still be made from the information attached to the individual product.
A useful measurement note is better than a familiar size label
Accurate measurements cannot guarantee identical fit across every design, but they remove much of the avoidable uncertainty. Instead of telling by.olga.shop only that you normally wear size M, you can provide actionable information: a 94 cm bust, a 76 cm waist, 102 cm hips and a preference for a relaxed blazer fit. That gives both shopper and seller a clearer basis for discussing the model.
Once the measurements are ready, the next task is to interpret the size chart, fabric and silhouette together. The previous guide provides a separate practical analysis of choosing women’s clothing online without a sizing mistake.
