Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers to the questions readers ask us most often about sizing, fabric, fit, care, and buying clothes.
If your question is not answered here, email [email protected] — we aim to reply within two business days. For the full method behind our answers, read How We Research.
How do I know my real size?
Measure yourself with a soft tape: bust at the fullest point, waist at the narrowest point, hips at the fullest point, and inseam from crotch to ankle. Compare those numbers with the brand's garment measurements — the actual measurements of the clothes — not with the size label. Size labels vary between brands and between styles, and measurements do not. Read our denim fit guide for a worked example, and our plus-size fit guide and petite fit guide for proportion-specific advice.
Why does the same size fit differently in different brands?
Because there is no universal sizing standard in the United States. Each brand drafts its own pattern, grades it up and down in its own way, and cuts it for a particular body shape. A size 10 at one brand can fit like a size 8 or a size 12 at another, and the difference is the pattern, not your body. The only reliable way to shop is to try clothes on, or to compare your measurements with the brand's garment measurements before you order online.
How can I tell good fabric from cheap fabric?
Touch it, stretch it, hold it up to the light, and read the label. Good fabric feels smooth and substantial, springs back when you stretch it, and has a tight, even weave. Cheap fabric feels thin or plasticky, stays stretched out, and looks uneven when you hold it up to the light. Read the fibre content: natural fibres and good blends generally feel better and last longer than cheap synthetics. Our fabric guide explains the full method, including a one-minute test you can do in any store.
Should I wash new clothes before wearing them?
Yes. New clothes can carry excess dye, finishing chemicals, and dust from manufacturing and shipping. Wash them once, according to the care label, before you wear them — especially underwear, T-shirts, and anything worn next to the skin. For secondhand clothes, washing before wearing is even more important. See our laundry mistakes guide for how to wash unfamiliar fabrics safely.
Why do my sweaters pill, and can I stop it?
Sweaters pill because friction loosens short fibres from the yarn and tangles them into small balls. Soft, short fibres such as cashmere and merino pill more than long, strong fibres, so pilling is not proof that a sweater is cheap. You can reduce it by washing gently and inside out, by avoiding bag straps and seatbelts on soft knitwear, and by resting sweaters between wears. When pills appear, remove them with a fabric shaver — never pull them off by hand. Our sweater pilling guide covers prevention and removal in full.
How do I stop my clothes shrinking in the wash?
Wash in cold water and air-dry whenever you can. Hot water and high-heat tumble-drying are the two main causes of shrinkage, especially for cotton and wool. Read the care label, use a gentle cycle for delicates, and never put wool, silk, or anything with elastic in the dryer on high heat. If a garment has already shrunk slightly, soaking it in lukewarm water with hair conditioner and gently stretching it back to shape sometimes helps. See our laundry mistakes guide for the full diagnosis table.
What is the difference between athleisure and activewear?
Activewear is built for sport: it wicks sweat, stretches, and supports you during exercise. Athleisure looks like activewear but is built for everyday wear: it is comfortable and casual, but it does not perform the same way during a workout. The difference matters because buying athleisure for running, or activewear for lounging, wastes money in both directions. Our athleisure versus activewear guide explains how to tell them apart and where to spend your money.
How many clothes do I actually need?
Fewer than you think. A capsule wardrobe of roughly 30 to 40 pieces — not counting underwear, socks, sleepwear, and workout clothes — covers most American lives, if every piece combines with at least three other pieces. The exact number matters less than the rule: every piece should earn its place by being worn regularly. Our capsule wardrobe guide explains how to audit what you own, define your real week, and fill only the gaps that matter.
Is it worth buying secondhand clothes?
Yes, for most categories. Well-made coats, wool sweaters, leather shoes, and denim are often better secondhand than anything new at the same price, because they were built to last and they have already survived their first owner. Buy underwear, swimwear, and sports bras new, because hygiene and elastic wear make secondhand a poor choice. Always inspect a secondhand garment before you buy it — smell, stains, seams, zips, and fit — and wash it before you wear it. Our secondhand buying guide has a ten-point inspection checklist.
How do I pack for a week with only a carry-on?
Pack for three or four days and plan to do laundry once, rather than packing seven distinct outfits. Build the bag around a colour palette so every top goes with every bottom, wear your bulkiest shoes and jacket on the plane, and use packing cubes to keep categories separate. Choose fabrics that resist wrinkles and odour, such as merino wool and good synthetic blends. Our travel packing guide has the full one-week, one-bag system, including a checklist.
What should I look for in a down jacket?
Check the label in this order: fill power, which measures how well the down lofts; the down-to-feather ratio, where more down means more warmth for the same weight; fill weight, which is how much down is actually in the jacket; and the shell fabric, which should be windproof and at least water-resistant. Then check the construction: baffles, hood, cuffs, and zips. Do not buy on the temperature rating alone — there is no universal standard for it. Our down jacket guide explains all four numbers in detail.
How often should I replace my bras?
An everyday bra worn in rotation typically lasts one to two years; a sports bra typically lasts one to two years depending on how often you wear and wash it. Replace a bra when the band rides up, the straps slip, the cups gap, or the underwire pokes — and replace a sports bra when you notice more movement than you used to. Hand-wash bras when you can, or use a mesh bag on a gentle cycle with cold water, and never put a bra in the dryer. Our underwear and bra fit guide covers measuring, support, and replacement in full.
Do you earn money from the brands you write about?
No. Wardrobe Atlas is editorially independent, no brand pays for coverage, and the site currently contains no affiliate links at all. If affiliate links are ever added, they will be disclosed at the top of the affected pages. Read our Affiliate Disclosure and our About page for the full statement, and see our Brands index for reviews written on the same independent terms.