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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to try on clothes at the supermarket?

114 replies

PanicOnTheStreets85 · 27/04/2020 12:10

Hoping for quick responses as I'm planning to go out to the supermarket in an hour.

I have had a baby a year and a half ago. Gained about 4st during the pregnancy and have lost just over half of that. I am still way too big for my pre-pregnancy clothes. I am, however, also way too small for the maternity dresses I wore last summer and have just given them away to a pregnant friend recently.

I have no suitable clothes for the hot weather. I hated the weather last week because I was stuck in my winter warm clothes as they were the only things that fit me.

I was thinking of getting a dress or two whilst I am in the supermarket buying food. I am mainly going for food and will pack my granny trolley with food until it is full. I am not making an unnecessary trip.

So here's the AIBU: I think that the fitting rooms will be closed, but it be unreasonable to try and pop the dress on over my current clothes to see if it it fits?

I would have thought that would be better than buying the wrong size and having to return it as the return would involve having to be in close proximity with a staff member.

I would of course wash hands etc. when I get home, and was looking at dresses with buttons down the front (still breastfeeding) so could step into them and pull them up onto me without needing to put them on over my head if that makes sense.

I think I am a 14 in most shops but supermarkets always seem to have ridiculously bigger clothing sizes so suspect I might be able to fit into a 12. I hate bloody inconsistent clothes sizes!

OP posts:
gamerchick · 27/04/2020 13:34

I also don't know why you can't just measure. Handy things tape measures.

Personally I'd just get the 14, who cares if it doesn't fit. Who's going to see you in it? Or just get some strappy tops and a couple of skirts. Again measure yourself first. I'd be very surprised if the shop will take back returns tbh.

RingtheBells · 27/04/2020 13:36

I think all fitting rooms are closed, I doubt they will be open for a long time, so probably easier to just buy online as you can always return online stuff if you want. I doubt many clothes shops will survive on the high street because the only reason to buy in a shop is that you can try on, you have more rights online.

Pinkblueberry · 27/04/2020 13:36

I would say no - you could potentially have the virus, trying it on could involve pulling it over your nose and mouth, and then that’s not fair on the next person who picks it up and buys it if you choose to leave it.
Also, if there’s a queue outside I don’t think it’s fair that people should wait longer while others try on clothes.
But online - return if it doesn’t fit.

chunkyrun · 27/04/2020 13:36

I'd just buy them take them home and try them on. Worst case scenario they don't fit you can take them back x

chunkyrun · 27/04/2020 13:37

Congratulations on weight loss op

Cherryblossomsnow · 27/04/2020 13:39

Leolion81 it's quite funny actually as I look at what you are saying and wonder where your common sense is so think about that before shooting people down.

MrsHuntGeneNotJeremyObviously · 27/04/2020 13:40

I don't think it's the worst thing in the world because surely people are washing clothes before they wear them anyway? Even if you don't try them on, you will still struggle to avoid touching the goods you don't buy simply because of how clothes are laid out on shelves.
I'm not sure how it's different to getting clothes delivered, trying them on at home and then returning them. So long as you aren't taking ages and faffing in the supermarket, that is.

Zaphodsotherhead · 27/04/2020 13:41

T shirts. Just order online a job lot of T shirts. Doesn't matter if they're baggy and you can wear them on their own in warm weather and under tops when it gets cooler.

LemonadeAndDaisyChains · 27/04/2020 13:42

YABU.
I was in a well known shop the other day that also sold clothes.
The clothing part was closed off, but some rails were out, I think it was to create a one way system, looked that way anyway.
I heard one staff member say to another "she's trying something on" and then "we'll have to take that off sale now."
So definitely sounds like shops aren't letting you trey clothes on and would take a dim view if you did.
Which makes sense, I mean, you want to try a dress on - how are you going to manage that in the middle of the shop floor and you'll have to get it over your head/fasten up etc, talk about mauling it about and un-necessary contact lol.
Just no.

Original poster
PanicOnTheStreets85 · 27/04/2020 13:44

why not buy online as others have suggested? Much easier!

Hmm. If I was buying something nice I'd buy online, but I just want something cheap-ish whilst I return to my old weight that I can give to a charity shop in the future when all this is over and things are back to normal. I feel like when I've bought cheap clothes online before I've always been disappointed when they arrive. I'd like to at least have a look at the material (not touching it but just seeing how it hangs).

I also don't know why you can't just measure.

I do have a tape measure but am pretty sure I wouldn't be able to measure it accurately.

Personally I'd just get the 14, who cares if it doesn't fit. Who's going to see you in it?

My DH, DS, neighbours when I go on walks and weirdly I'd like to look as attractive as I can for my own sake. My body confidence is not the best due to the weight. I would like some clothes that are not like a tent on me, otherwise I could have just kept the maternity clothes.

Oh well I didn't get to go this lunchtime as something came up but I will go and grab some 12s later. If they are too small then maybe I can return them or maybe they will fit soon if the weight loss continues. I have some size 12 Sainsbury's pyjamas where the top fits me but the bottoms don't so I'm hoping I'll be able to fit their size 12 dresses even if not their size 12 trousers.

OP posts:
WombatStewForTea · 27/04/2020 13:45

Personally I'd just get the 14, who cares if it doesn't fit. Who's going to see you in it?

This is ridiculous. Of course op will care if they don't fit and presumably she'll still want to wear them once lockdown is lifted.

VenusOfWillendorf · 27/04/2020 13:47

I'm very clearly in a minority but I don't see the issue with stepping into a button up dress at all.
Surely it would be far better than having it delivered and sitting round your house for weeks before returning if it doesn't fit?
I wouldn't do it myself, but only because I don't like trying things on the shop floor at the best of times (I even take coats to the fitting rooms) - but nothing to do with the virus.

TooTrueToBeGood · 27/04/2020 13:49

Bearing in mind that you are not a special or unique case, the question really should be should everyone who wishes to be allowed to try clothes on in the manner. Given the risk of transferring the virus the answer is surely absolutely not.

Really though, ask in the shop(s) concerned and accept their decision. Asking on MN and then just going off and doing it if enough people tell you it's reasonable it's not the right approach.

Original poster
PanicOnTheStreets85 · 27/04/2020 13:50

Gah why does everyone keep talking about pulling them over my face when I specifically said in the OP that I wanted button-up ones that I could step into?! I wish people would read the full OP rather than just the title.

Anyway, as I've said I'm just going to buy some size 12s and hope for the best.

OP posts:
MrsHuntGeneNotJeremyObviously · 27/04/2020 13:50

I bought harem trousers in Morrisons the other day. They are the kind of thing you don't have to be precise about when it comes to sizing, as they have a bit of stretch but also don't look ridiculous if they are a bit big. Maybe try something like that rather than dresses. Also you can take a top from home and hold it up next to one in the supermarket, to get a comparison without trying on. It's not perfect, but may give you an idea.

Thesecrettreater · 27/04/2020 13:51

@WombatStewForTea
It’s not that ridiculous. The op said she is a size 14 in most shops. Would be better off getting a size 14. If it doesn’t fit it’s not going to be too much of a difference and sure better too big than too small.

WombatStewForTea · 27/04/2020 13:54

@Thesecrettreater
It's the 'so what if it doesn't fit' part. Several people have said so what if what she buys doesn't fit her as nobody will see her

BlankTimes · 27/04/2020 13:55

@Dontcoughnearme said exactly what I was going to :-

Measure your body and take a note of the measurements. Then take your measuring tape to the supermarket along with your noted measurements to see if it will likely fit

SunnyStroll · 27/04/2020 13:56

If it's not OK to try on in the shop, why is OK to try on at home and return?

UnderTheIroningBoard · 27/04/2020 14:06

You won't possibly get a feel of what fits over your clothes. Buy both and return one next time you go.

tara66 · 27/04/2020 14:07

In my experience it only takes 4 -6 weeks to get back to your previous size but I expect everyone is different. I voted UABU.

CeibaTree · 27/04/2020 14:07

Thanks everyone. I might just risk it and get a couple of things in size 12 and return if necessary
Why not just get the 14 if you know they will fit rather than risk the 12 not fitting? It's not like size 14 clothes will be swamping a (potential) size 12 frame, or fall off. Surely you don't want to be making a special trip to return the clothes?

gandalf456 · 27/04/2020 14:11

What's the difference between trying on in store snd trying on at home? It's still a risk. In fact, if you do try on in store, you're more likely to keep it

ifIwerenotanandroid · 27/04/2020 14:15

What will happen to clothes which have been tried on at home & returned, either online or in shops? Will they be thrown away by the stores? Laundered somehow & then sold as what - new? used?

theemmadilemma · 27/04/2020 14:20

The changing rooms are closed so you can't try on clothes. So trying them on outside the changing rooms is no better!