Know your sizes

If it means having your measurements taken and saving it in your diary or phone for future reference, it’s well worth the effort. Knowing your sizes is your primary weapon, as you can then use the size and measurement charts most retailers offer online to find the best and most likely fit.

Some retailers even go the extra mile to ensure you always purchase the item you want in the right size. Spree.co.za (one of my personal favourites), for example, offers a unique “Why Buy” section that includes a short description of the garment, style advice on how to wear the item, what the garment is made from, as well as useful tips about how to clean the item – especially noteworthy if the item needs to be dry-cleaned or hand-washed only. Spree also has a full production department that creates beautifully shot images of each garment from every angle, giving you a better idea of how garments fit the body. to? They’re probably online. That brand you always return to? Also online, which means the retailer’s reputation – the reason you return to the same shop – remains intact, while you’ll be equally familiar with the brands they retail.

By sticking to the retailers you know, the purchasing process is familiar. It’s about peace of mind, without which no consumer would return. Most retailers also offer a variety of payment solutions, and not just the simple credit card type payments. Spree, for example, allows you to pay via EFT or with a debit card, as well the ability to earn points and use these points as payment method via various loyalty programmes.