Checklist before you buy

Short answer: Check the material, check the size guide, check the care instructions, and check whether you already own something similar. These four points remove most regretted purchases. It takes a few minutes, and those minutes often save a return.

The material is in the product description

The composition decides both the fit and how the item should be washed. Read it before adding anything to your basket. A fabric with elastane gives and follows the body, while one without sits looser and may change slightly after the first wash. If the material is not listed, ask before you buy. See bamboo hoodie for women.

The size guide belongs to the shop

Sizes are not the same from shop to shop. A medium in one place can equal a large in another. That is why the shop's own size guide applies, not the size you usually buy. Take a few minutes to find the measurements, even if you have shopped there before, as the fit can vary between styles.

Measure something you already own

The easiest way to use a size guide is to measure a piece you already like. Lay it flat and measure the width under the arms and the length from shoulder to hem. Compare with the guide. Then you know whether the new item will fit like the one you know, or come up bigger or smaller.

Read the care instructions

The care instructions tell you how much work an item needs. If it must be washed cool, dried flat or kept out of the dryer, it helps to know in advance. If that does not suit the way you wash day to day, the item often ends up washed the wrong way or left unworn.

Check whether you own something similar

The most common regretted purchase is the fourth identical black sweater. Before you buy, think about what already hangs in the wardrobe. With three of the same kind, the fourth rarely gets worn. If it is something you lack, or it replaces a worn out piece, the purchase is easier to stand by. See bamboo joggers for women.

What will you use it for

Think of one specific situation where you wear the item. At home, at work or for a particular activity. If no situation comes to mind, that is a sign it may not get worn. Clothes with a clear place in everyday life get worn often and give the most value.

Does it go with the rest

A new item gets worn more if it goes with what you already have. Check the colour against the trousers, skirts or tops it should be worn with. A piece that matches only one thing in the wardrobe gets less use than one that combines in several ways. See most popular at Copenhagen Bamboo.

Sleep on it

If you are unsure, leave the basket until the next day. Many purchases feel less urgent after a night. If you still want it and have checked the four points, that is a good sign. Read the shop's return terms too, so you know what applies if the item does not fit after all.

Frequently asked questions

What should you check before buying

The material, the size guide, the care instructions, and whether you already have something similar in the wardrobe. These four points remove most regretted purchases.

Why check the size guide every time

Because sizes are not the same from shop to shop. A medium in one shop can equal a large in another, and the fit can also vary between styles.

What is the most common regretted purchase

A duplicate. The fourth identical black sweater rarely gets worn because the other three already cover the need. Check the wardrobe before you order.