Why General Size Charts Don’t Work for 80% of Shoppers

Why Size Charts Aren’t Enough: How Accurate Size Recommendation Tools Can Solve the Online Shopping Fit Crisis

For many online shoppers, the question “What size am I?” is one that sparks frustration. How does a woman with a bust fitting size Large, a waist fitting size Medium, and hips fitting size Small find the right-fitting dress when all the brand offers is a general size guide or a product-specific size chart? And what about women with body shapes, like the inverted triangle or apple, where their measurements fall into different size ranges on the size chart?

The problem lies in the traditional approach to sizing. Brands and marketplaces often think they’ve solved the “What size am I?” dilemma by offering product-specific size charts. While these charts can be helpful to a certain extent, they fall short for the vast majority of consumers.

Most size charts are based on a set of assumptions: that the bust and hips are nearly equal in size, with the waist being the smallest part of the body. This implies an hourglass figure – something that’s far from universal. In fact, only about 20% of women fit this body type. So, what about the other 80%?

For women whose measurements don’t fit within the typical hourglass profile, finding the right size becomes a guessing game. One solution many consumers resort to is ordering multiple sizes, trying them on, and then returning the ones that don’t fit. While this may seem like a simple fix, it leads to wasted time, increased return rates, and ultimately, a negative shopping experience.

Why Size Charts Aren’t Enough

The problem isn’t just the lack of accurate measurements. Size charts don’t take into account factors like fabric elasticity, body shape, product design, or wear preferences. For example, a dress made from stretchy material will fit differently than one made from a stiff fabric, even if the measurements align on the size chart.

To further complicate matters, even when consumers are shown how to measure themselves, they are left to consider their body shape as part of the equation – a task that can feel impossible without expert guidance.

So, how can online stores solve this issue and ensure their customers find the right size? The answer lies in accurate size recommendation tools that take the guesswork out of the process.

SizeSense.ai works by aligning the customer’s unique measurements with the actual measurements of the product, factoring in the fabric elasticity, the design of the garment, and the customer’s body type. By doing this, SizeSense.ai can provide a much more personalized and accurate fit recommendation.

Here’s how it works:

1. Customer Measurements: Customers input their measurements into the system (e.g., bust, waist, hips, and height).
2. Product Measurements: The system compares the customer’s measurements to the product’s actual measurements (not just the label size) and suggests the size most likely to fit them well.
3. Fabric and Fit Considerations: SizeSense.ai considers fabric elasticity, adjusting the recommendation based on how the material will behave when worn. It also considers garment design.
4. Body Shape and Wear preferences: SizeSense.ai considers body shapes and customers’ wear preferences, recommending the right fit even if the customer’s measurements fall into different size ranges. This is particularly important for women with body shapes like the inverted triangle or apple, where the bust, waist, and hips don’t align with traditional size charts.

Without size recommendation tool like SizeSense.ai, relying on size charts or manual measurements is, at best, a shot in the dark.

Customers end up gambling on sizes, ordering multiple options, and returning the ones that don’t work.

The result?

Increased return rates, wasted time, and frustrated customers.

Accurate size recommendation tools like SizeSense.ai, on the other hand, lead to fewer returns, happier customers, and better shopping experiences.

By providing an accurate fit that aligns with the customer’s unique body and the product’s specific measurements, these tools help close the gap between what the customer expects and what they receive.

Even if you provide customers with detailed size charts and tutorials on how to measure themselves, it’s often not enough to help them pick the right size. The body shape factor, fabric elasticity, and garment design need to be factored in. Without an accurate size recommendation tool, customers are left to rely on guesswork, leading to higher return rates and lower customer satisfaction.

The reality is, unless you’re using tools that align customers’ measurements with product specifications and account for body types, your size charts and measurement guides may be failing 80% of your visitors.

The days of relying on traditional size charts are over. Online shoppers are looking for a seamless, personalized experience that helps them find the right fit without guesswork.

With SizeSense.ai you can ensure that customers – no matter their body shape – find the right size every time. This not only boosts customer satisfaction but also reduces returns, leading to a more efficient and profitable business.

So, if you aren’t already using a size recommendation tool, now is the time to make that change. The future of online shopping depends on it.