EU, UK and US Clothing Sizes: How to Convert Without Guessing
Shopping for clothes online can be a gamble when you are buying from a foreign retailer.
3 min readAll Shoplovin Stories
Every guide in the magazine, section by section: fit, fabric, shopping, style, shoes and bags, beauty.
Fit & Sizing
How to Measure Yourself for Clothes Bought Online
Size charts rely on three main points: the fullest part of your bust or chest, your natural waist, and your widest hips.
3 min read
Why Your Clothing Size Changes From Brand to Brand
When you pull on a shirt or slip into a pair of jeans from your favourite retailer, only to find the fit is unexpectedly loose or tight, it's confusing.
3 min read
Jeans Sizes Explained: What Waist and Inseam Numbers Really Mean
Jeans size labels usually include a number pair expressing waist measurement in inches, and then the inseam length.
3 min read
Petite, Tall and Plus Size Ranges: Who They Are Actually Cut For
Shopping for petite, tall, and plus-range clothing? It's easy to look at the label and assume they equate to small, wide, and large.
5 min readFabric & Care
Polyester vs Cotton: Which Fabric Wears Better for Everyday Clothes
The difference between cotton and polyester starts with the fiber type. Cotton is a soft, breathable natural fiberhttps://textiletuts.com/cotton-vs-polyester/ picked from a plant, often grown sustainably.
3 min read
Clothing Care Label Symbols Explained, One Symbol at a Time
The tiny icons on your clothing tags are the most certain instruction you have on how to treat that item. These are not suggestions; they are the maximum-allowed processes that won't cause permanent damage.
3 min read
Why Clothes Shrink and How to Rescue a Shrunken Wool Sweater
The agony of popping a favorite wool sweater in the dryer only to find it's shrunk by one to five sizes is utterly frustrating. Unfortunately, the news is not good: most shrunken wool cannot be fully unshrunk.
3 min read
Merino Wool vs Regular Wool: What the Higher Price Buys You
Wool from merino sheep is marketed on its softness and performance appeal.
4 min read
How to Remove Yellow Deodorant Stains From Shirts
Those yellow underarm marks don't stem from deodorant alone. Antiperspirant aluminum and sweat form a poorly soluble residue that can yellow fabric.
3 min readSmart Shopping
What to Check in an Online Store's Return Policy Before You Buy
The two most important things to check are the return window and who pays the return shipping.
5 min read
Outlet vs Retail Store: Is Outlet Clothing the Same Quality?
Outlet stores are touted as treasure troves of discount deals, but are their deals for real? Many shoppers wonder if the bargain prices at outlet malls come at the cost of quality.
3 min read
How to Tell If a Sale Is a Real Discount
That discount sign overstating a huge saving - if you recognise the reference price was an artifice, you're already ahead of the curve.
3 min read
Cost Per Wear: How to Work Out If Clothes Are Worth the Price
"Cost per wear is 'a ratio that does what it says on the tin: quantifies the cost of a single wearing.' In English, it's written as: Total Cost ÷ Number of Times Worn," says a definitive guide from the online.
5 min read
Buying Secondhand Clothes Online: How to Judge Condition From Photos
The secondhand clothing market is booming on marketplaces. Prices are more attractive on new but secondhand items can have unknown wear flaws.
4 min readStyle Rules
Smart Casual vs Business Casual: What Each Dress Code Means
Business casual remains the stricter, safer option anchored to the office look; smart casual lets in more trendy, casual elements somewhere between the two.
4 min read
Cocktail Attire vs Semi-Formal: Decoding Wedding Dress Codes
Cocktail attire and semi-formal are two wedding dress codes that often overlap, yet they are not identical.
4 min read
How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe: How Many Pieces You Really Need
If you want to live with fewer clothes but are tired of chasing a capricious magic number, there's a better approach to a capsule wardrobe: build a wardrobe sized to your life, not a formula.
3 min read
What Colours Go With Navy? A Practical Pairing Guide
Is Navy a Neutral? Contrast, Undertone, and Fabric Finish Matter
6 min read
How Long Should Trousers Be? Hem Lengths and Breaks Explained
Trouser length is not a one-size-fits-all: the right hem is chosen by break and shoe height.
4 min readShoes & Bags
Shoe Size Conversion: UK, US and EU Sizes and Why They Don't Match Exactly
Buying shoes from another country often requires converting sizes between the US, UK, and European systems.
3 min read
How to Break In Leather Shoes Without Getting Blisters
Blister pain is not the mark of a shoe in need of 'breaking in' — it is the warning of a possible fit problem.
4 min read
Genuine Leather vs Full-Grain vs Top-Grain: What the Label Means
When shopping for leather bags, belts, or shoes, you've likely seen labels like "genuine leather," "full-grain," or "top-grain. But what do these terms actually mean?
4 min read
How to Tell If a Designer Bag Is Real Before You Pay
When you're about to buy a pre-owned designer bag, the first question is simple: does the model even exist?
4 min read
How to Clean Suede Shoes Without Ruining Them
Suede shoes can be a challenge to clean if they get dirty, but it can be done with some care. The most important basic principle is: always clean suede when it is dry.
3 min readBeauty
Eau de Parfum vs Eau de Toilette: Strength, Longevity and Price
When shopping for a new fragrance, you might find the same scent available as both an eau de parfum (EDP) and an eau de toilette (EDT). But what exactly do those labels mean in practical terms?
3 min read
The Open Jar Symbol: How Long Makeup Lasts After Opening
The open jar symbol on your makeup packaging is not an expiry date - it's showing how long a product is usable after you first open it.
3 min read
SPF 30 vs SPF 50: What the Numbers Actually Mean
The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) value indicates the level of protection a sunscreen provides against sunburn caused by UVB rays, as measured in a lab test.
4 min read
Why Perfume Fades Fast on Your Skin and How to Make It Last
Why do scents never seem to last the full day? The short-lived nature of fragrances has frustrated even the best fans and endurance-seekers.
3 min read
Sulfate-Free and Silicone-Free Shampoo: What the Labels Change
The labels "sulfate-free" and "silicone-free" have become popular claims on shampoo and conditioner bottles, and while they may make certain promises, they aren't guarantees of quality.
4 min read