How to Get the Right Fit in Clothing, Shoes & Accessories


 Reviews & Guides


How to Get the Right Fit in Clothing, Shoes & Accessories


Sizing can vary significantly from one manufacturer to another or between countries. The following measuring guidelines will help you select the appropriate size. For additional help, you can print out our handy measuring tape or reference standardized sizing charts.

Check Measurements for Men & Boys


Check Measurements for Men & Boys

To ensure the best fit for men and boys, you’ll need to measure the neck, arm/sleeve, chest, waist, and inseam.

  • Neck: Measure the circumference of your neck just above the base and around your Adam's apple. Place two fingers between your neck and the tape measure.     

  • Arm/Sleeve: With your arm bent slightly, put your hand on your hip. Start the tape measure at the center of the back of your neck. Run the tape measure across the top of your shoulder, down to the elbow, and then to your wrist.    

  • Chest: Standing with your arms at your side, place the tape measure around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms. Ensure that the tape measure remains parallel to the ground. Place two fingers between the tape measure and your body.    

  • Waist: While standing, wrap the tape measure around your natural waistline. Keep the tape comfortably loose.    

  • Inseam: Lay out flat a pair of pants that fit you well. Using a measuring tape, measure from the crotch seam to the bottom of the pant along the seam.

Men & Boys Sizing Chart


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Check Measurements for Women & Girls


Check Measurements for Women & Girls

To ensure the best fit for women and girls, you’ll need to measure the bust, waist, and hips.

  • Bust: With your arms at your side, place the tape measure around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms. Make sure that the tape measure remains parallel to the floor.     

  • Waist: While standing, wrap the tape measure around your natural waistline. Keep the tape comfortably loose.   

  • Hips: While standing with your feet together, wrap the tape measure around the fullest part of your body between your waist and your knees. This is approximately 8 inches below your waist. Make sure that the tape measure remains parallel to the floor.

Women & Girls Sizing Chart


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Get Accurate With Accessories


Get Accurate With Accessories

Hats, gloves, and shoes also require specific measurements to ensure a good fit.

  • Hats: Wrap the tape measure around the part of your head where your hat would naturally rest. This is generally 1" above the ears.     

  • Gloves: With your hand lying flat, wrap the tape measure around the knuckles of your strong or dominant hand, excluding your thumb.    

  • Shoes: Place a piece of blank paper on a hard floor. While wearing socks of normal thickness, place one foot on the paper. Using a pencil, mark the end of your heel and the tip of your longest toe. Measure the distance between the two marks using a tape measure or ruler.


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Find Clothing, Shoes & Accessories on eBay


Find Clothing, Shoes & Accessories on eBay

If you know what you're looking for, go straight to searching. Here's how to find what you want, and gather all of the information you need to make an informed purchase.

Search

Enter the title of the item you are looking for into the Search box that appears at the top of every eBay page. For example, if you're looking for BCBG heels, enter "BCBG heels" (without quotation marks). Your search will return all listings with BCBG heels in the title. To find even more listings, click the "Search title and description" box at the top of the yellow column on the left-hand side of the page. 

  • To search by brand, enter the brand name into the Search box. In this example, type “BCBG heels” and click on the "Show Items" button. Your search will return all listings under Women’s Shoes, with the item specifics that you chose that have BCBG heels in the title.

  • To search multiple keywords, use parentheses. For example, if you type “(BCBG, Bebe)” into the search box, you will get all items that contain BCBG or Bebe. If you search “BCBG (black, brown)” you will get all items that contain BCBG, and either black or brown. If you type “BCBG, Black, Brown” you will get all items that contain BCBG, and black and brown. Note that the key difference in all of these searches is where you place your parentheses.

  • To further narrow your search, include the following acronyms commonly used on eBay:

Acronyms Acronyms

NWT: New With Tags

NWOT: New Without Tags

NIB: New In Box

NBW: Never Been Worn

SZ: Size

DB: Double Breasted

SB: Single Breasted

AUTH: Authentic

NR: No Reserve

Watching items

If you find what you’re looking for, but want to wait a bit before bidding or buying at a set price, you can choose to "watch" your item. Simply click on the link in the upper right corner of the listing page that reads “Watch this item” and it’ll be added to your My eBay Watching Page (under the All Buying section in the left hand column). Treat it as your own online shopping bag—with no commitment.

Item details

Once you find your item, be sure to read the details and the fine print. Look for information about fit, fabric and style. Know what you’re getting—a designer handbag and a "designer inspired" handbag are not the same thing. Some sellers will even tell you whether the item you’re considering comes from a smoke-free home or a home with no pets.

Below are some commonly used terms that will help you determine the item’s condition:

  • New with tags or New without tags: never washed or worn; no flaws.* 

  • Like new: Appears new, no signs of wear; washed and possibly worn; no flaws. 

  • Excellent: Previously worn, with only very slight wash wear; no flaws. 

  • Very good: Previously worn with moderate wash wear/fade, but no visible flaws. 

  • Good/Play: Previously worn with minor visible flaw(s), and/or significant wash wear/fade. 

  • Fair: Previously worn with significant visible flaw(s), and/or heavy wash wear/fade. 

  • Poor: Not wearable, has severe flaws/damage, but with desireable useable element(s).

* Flaws might include spots, stains, holes, tears, fabric irregularities, or problems with buttons, zippers, snaps, etc.

Always look for the seller’s return policy and review their feedback. Feedback is an indicator of a seller's reputation on eBay, and an unbiased source of information about their quality, customer service, and reliability. Think twice before purchasing from a seller with significant negative feedback or from a seller who doesn’t respond to emails.

If you still have questions, ask the seller. There’s a link for this built into the top right-hand side of every listing under "seller information," and most sellers are more than happy to respond.

Want It Now

Looking for a hard to find item? Create a post on Want It Now and tell millions of sellers exactly what you want! Chances are it's out there somewhere.

Saved Searches

Still can't find exactly what you want? Save your search and eBay will email you when a match is available.


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Buy Clothing, Shoes & Accessories With Confidence


Buy Clothing, Shoes & Accessories With Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

  • Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

  • If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

  • Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay protection programs.

  • Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

  • What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

  • What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

  • Most top eBay sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay and PayPal are there for you.

  • Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,000.

  • eBay Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.


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