Fit is the whole secret
Fit matters more than label, price or trend. It's the single difference between clothes that look bought and clothes that look yours.
What good fit looks like
Shoulders first
The shoulder seam should sit exactly at the edge of your shoulder. Almost anything can be altered, but not the shoulders.
The trouser break
For a modern line, choose no break or a slight one. The hem should just meet the top of the shoe.
The cuff
Shirt cuffs end at the wrist bone. Beneath a jacket, show a centimetre of linen.
The T-shirt
Sleeves end mid-bicep with a gentle hold, and the hem sits halfway down the fly. Any longer shortens the leg.
Find the waist
Your natural waist is the narrowest point of the torso. High-waisted cuts that sit there lengthen the leg on almost everyone.
The rule of thirds
Divide an outfit roughly one-third to two-thirds, never half and half. Tuck, crop or belt to find the line.
Hemlines
End skirts and dresses at the slenderest point of the leg: just above or below the knee, or at the narrowest part of the calf.
The foundation
A professional bra fitting transforms how every top falls. Be measured again each year, or after any change.
Befriend a tailor
Hemming a trouser or taking in a waist costs little and makes ready-to-wear look made-to-measure.
Size is only a number
Sizes vary from house to house. Buy for your widest point and tailor the rest. Remove the label if it troubles you.
Jackets deserve their own guide: five checks in the fitting room.
How to measure yourself
Use a soft tape measure, wear thin clothing, stand relaxed and breathe normally. Keep the tape level and snug, not tight. Write your numbers down, or save them to your profile, and compare them with each brand's size guide rather than relying on the size label.
- Chest or bust: around the fullest part, under the arms and across the shoulder blades.
- Natural waist: around the narrowest part of your torso, usually just above the belly button.
- Hips: around the fullest part of your seat, feet together.
- Inside leg: from the top of the inner thigh to the floor, ideally on a pair of trousers that fit you well.
- Sleeve: from the centre back of the neck, over the shoulder and down to the wrist bone, with your arm slightly bent.
Between two sizes?Buy for your widest point and have the rest taken in. Letting clothes out is far harder than taking them in.
Fit notes for your frame
Your Style Profile gives you the lines and proportions that suit your frame, alongside your colours.