Buying activewear online means you cannot try it on — and activewear sizing is notoriously inconsistent, so getting the right size takes a little know-how. Here is why online activewear sizing is tricky, how to get it right, and how to avoid the return-and-reorder cycle.

Why Online Activewear Sizing Is Tricky

The sizing challenge: the the-cannot-try-it-on (the not being able to try activewear on when buying online from the sizing-decoded logic — the no-try-on), the the-sizing-varies-by-brand (the activewear sizing varying a lot between brands from the sizing-decoded logic — the brand-variation), the the-fit-matters-for-activewear (the fit being crucial for activewear’s function and comfort from the sizing-decoded logic — the fit-matters), the the-between-sizes-and-fit-preferences (the being between sizes or preferring a certain fit complicating it from the between-sizes logic — the between-sizes), the the-compression-vs-relaxed-fit (the the intended fit — compression or relaxed — affecting sizing from the compression-vs-relaxed logic — the the-fit-type), and the reframe (the online activewear sizing as tricky due to no try-on and brand variation — getting it right taking know-how, not luck).

How to Get It Right

Nailing your online size: the the-check-the-size-guide (the checking each brand’s specific size guide, not assuming your usual size from the sizing-decoded logic — the check-the-size-guide), the the-take-your-measurements (the taking your body measurements to compare to the guide from the sizing-decoded logic — the measure-yourself), the the-read-reviews-for-fit (the reading reviews for fit, sizing and whether it runs small or large from the sizing-decoded logic — the read-fit-reviews), the the-know-the-intended-fit (the knowing whether the piece is compression or relaxed from the compression-vs-relaxed logic — the know-the-fit-type), the the-between-sizes-strategy (the a strategy for being between sizes — sizing up or down by piece from the between-sizes logic — the between-sizes-strategy), the the-petite-and-tall-considerations (the considering length and proportions for petite or tall frames from the petite-tall logic — the length-and-proportion), the the-sports-bra-sizing (the getting sports bra sizing right specifically from the sports-bra-size logic — the the-bra-sizing), and the the-compare-to-pieces-you-own (the comparing to activewear you already own and love from the sizing-decoded logic — the compare-to-what-fits).

The Avoid-Returns Notes

Cutting down returns: the the-do-your-sizing-homework (the checking the size guide, measurements and reviews before ordering from the sizing-decoded logic — the do-the-homework), the the-buy-from-brands-you-know-your-size-in (the sticking with brands you know your fit in when you can from the sizing-decoded logic — the known-brands), the the-check-the-return-policy (the buying where returns are easy in case from the sizing-decoded logic — the the-return-policy), the the-order-one-size-not-multiple-if-confident (the ordering confidently rather than multiple sizes when you have done your homework from the sizing-decoded logic — the order-confidently), the the-note-what-fits-for-next-time (the noting what fits for future orders from the sizing-decoded logic — the note-your-fit), the the-consider-the-fit-type-and-preference (the ordering for your fit preference and the piece’s intended fit from the compression-vs-relaxed logic — the fit-preference), and the frame (the finding your online activewear size as checking the brand’s size guide, your measurements and reviews, and knowing the intended fit — the right size, fewer returns. Check the size guide and your measurements, read fit reviews, know the intended fit, and buy where returns are easy).

Buying activewear online means you cannot try it on — and activewear sizing is notoriously inconsistent, so getting the right size takes a little know-how. Online sizing is tricky because you cannot try it on, sizing varies by brand, fit is crucial for activewear, being between sizes or preferring a fit complicates it, and the intended fit (compression or relaxed) affects sizing. Get it right by checking each brand’s size guide, taking your measurements, reading reviews for fit, knowing the intended fit, having a between-sizes strategy, considering petite or tall proportions, getting sports bra sizing right, and comparing to activewear you already love. Avoid returns by doing your sizing homework, sticking with brands you know, checking the return policy, ordering confidently, noting what fits for next time, and ordering for your fit preference. The right size, fewer returns.

See It in Motion

Seen here: Racerback Sports Bra — shop it on bubblelime.com