We do not talk about this enough.
That moment when you are standing in a cramped changing room under harsh lighting, pulling on a dress that looked lovely online, only to feel your heart sink because it clings in all the wrong places. Or worse, it will not zip. Again.
The truth is, trying on clothes, whether in a shop or at home, can be emotionally draining in ways we rarely admit.
And for many women, especially those whose bodies have changed, it is not just frustrating. It can feel personal.
It Is Not Just About The Clothes, It Is About How They Make You Feel
Every week I hear stories like these:
“I ordered eight dresses and cried trying them all on. Nothing fit. I sent everything back.”
“I do not go into changing rooms anymore. I buy three sizes online, try them at home, and end up keeping the one that feels the least bad.”
“I used to love shopping. Now it just feels like proof my body is not what it used to be.”
Can you relate? You are absolutely not alone.
What Actually Happens When Clothes Do Not Fit Right?
Most of the women I work with blame themselves before they even consider blaming the clothes.
They say things like:
“I should have lost weight before shopping.”
“Why do I look so awful in everything?”
“I do not even know what suits me anymore.”
But let us be clear: sizing is inconsistent, most brands are not designed with real bodies in mind, and our bodies are allowed to change.
The problem is not you, it is the lack of support when you are trying to dress a body that no longer feels familiar.
The Silent Costs: Beyond the Returns Label
Online returns and unsuccessful shopping trips come with more than just wasted money.
- Time spent scrolling, buying, packing, returning.
- Headspace cluttered with indecision and self-criticism.
- Energy drained from repeated disappointment.
- Confidence chipped away, little by little.
And yet—so many women repeat the cycle, hoping the next parcel will be the one that changes how they feel in their clothes
There is a Better Way, and it Starts With Understanding
Before you buy another item, pause and ask yourself:
- Do I know what suits my shape today—not what suited me five years ago?
- Do I know which cuts, necklines, fabrics or fits actually work for my proportions?
- Am I dressing to minimise or dressing to express?
Understanding your body shape, your proportions, and your style needs does not just help you shop better. It helps you feel better. Because when you finally slip into something that fits well, flatters your shape, and feels like you—there is no crash afterwards. Just a quiet sort of confidence.
You Deserve More Than a Fitting Room Meltdown...
If you have been caught in the cycle of guessing, returning, and settling—please know there is nothing wrong with you. You are not “bad at shopping.” You are not the problem.
You just need a bit of support.
My entire ethos as a stylist is built around helping women dress for who they are now, not who they used to be, or who the shops think they should be.
You deserve clothes that feel like a hug, not a battle.
Nichola xx