When do you think we will be able to try on clothes in shops?

[Lindy2]

I'm finding not being able to try on clothes before buying them really tricky. Mostly I've avoided buying anything much at all, especially if it is at all fitted.

I really want to get some new summer dresses, I've been waiting a year to buy some new bras and the kids definitely need new swimming costumes. There's no way they can squeeze into the costumes bought in summer 2019 for another year

In normal times I usually have to try on several of each before finding anything that comes close to fitting. One DD has SEN and sensory issues so swimming costume shopping generally involves trying on practically every costume in several shops before she finds one she will dain to wear.

How are other people managing? The buying, trying on at home and returning, seems such a faff. I can't afford to buy 50 swimming costumes even if I return 49 of them. 😂

Being able to use fitting rooms is one of the previously normal things that I'm missing the most.

Catalogue, on account.

Or using PayPal Pay in 3 to pay.

All of mine have grown actual inches this year, and the middle ones taken up body building so he's busting out of everything like The Hulk.

And I needed loungewear because I didn't have any. And now I'm hooked

Im guessing once ppl see my nipples hanging below my t shirt top fairly soon.

Buy stuff in Bluewater, take to the loos, try on and return what I don't need. It's a bit grim, but I need to try stuff on too and can't be bothered with returning stuff from online shops.

@edwinbear

Buy stuff in Bluewater, take to the loos, try on and return what I don't need. It's a bit grim, but I need to try stuff on too and can't be bothered with returning stuff from online shops.

I did the same in sainsburys the other day, bought it, went to the loos to try it on, returned it. Seemed more sensible than going home, trying it on and then going back out.

Hopefully when the shops reopen in April, but I’m not sure. I’m desperate to try stuff on properly because I’ve lost 2 1/2 stone during lockdown and nothing fits me. I’m living in leggings. I’m not sure what size I am really now or what suits my new body

Good idea to try stuff on in the loos! I was planning on a trip to Bluewater in a few weeks time so will do that as such a pain to come home and go back again

I need new bras.
Just about managed for the year, but cant any longer.
Will have to buy several, go for a drive in the car, to somewhere quiet, try them on and take some back.
I did buy a new bra a few weeks ago, and will keep it even though it isnt ideal. But I am not prepared to do that for any more new bras.

I agree with PPs about trying stuff on in the toilets and then returning. I did that last time and I'll do it again if I need to buy some new bits. I wasn't the only one in the shopping centre toilets trying on clothes.

God yes im missing trying stuff on. I cant afford to buy a pile of stuff online to try on then have the hassle of returning it.

I think it will be quite a long time before changing rooms are open, and definitely not when clothes shops open on April 12th. Shops are going to need to have staff to restrict numbers entering and manage tills with minimal queues, so I can see them keeping changing rooms shut for a long time yet.

@EssexLioness

Good idea to try stuff on in the loos! I was planning on a trip to Bluewater in a few weeks time so will do that as such a pain to come home and go back again

It’s just grim isn’t it? I’d much rather they opened the fitting rooms than that.

I bought 3 coats (different sizes, same style) before Christmas. Tried them on outside the shop, went back in and returned two.
Total waste of everyone’s time.

A few shops were allowing it before Christmas which surprised me. Bravissimo did although the assistant couldn't physically help you with sizing and a couple of designer outlet shops.

Quite a few shops were allowing trying on before Christmas.

It is a massive pain to not be able to try things on. I do wonder if shops will cotton on to everyone going to the loos to try on then returning is more work for their staff than just opening the changing rooms and cleaning them regularly. They should push back about having to quarantine clothes after try on, its not proven to be a way to transmit covid.

Plus the sheer number of people trying stuff like jackets and jumpers on the shop floor is making a mockery of the whole idea.

If we all only buy the bare minimum we need, (because shopping is now joyless and hard work,) its not going to be the economy boost the retail sector is hoping for.

Quite a few shops were allowing people to try things on already. They steam clothes before putting it back on hangers.

More popular places may decide to keep fitting rooms closed to speed up the customer flow but it is their choice - rules do allow shops to accommodate those of us who want to try things on. It just requires effort.

FWIW, in my personal opinion, steaming clothes is a complete waste of time and serves purely as hygiene theatre. However, if this useless ritual allows me to try things on before buying, I will take it.

We reopen on the 12th but we’ve been told we have no plans to open the fitting rooms yet.
Yes shops will be open but restrictions will still be in place - limited number of customers in store, refunded items being quarantined before being allowed to be touched without gloves etc.

I work in retail. The fitting rooms being closed is a total pain. Customers ask me why they can't try something on in front of a mirror but they can buy it and try on in the loos. I really can't answer them, it makes no sense to me either.

Questions like this always baffle me.

The last thing I want to do is try on clothes many strangers may have done just before me.

Unless they are quarantining the clothes...

Order online, pay on credit card, return what you don't want before the bill needs paying. Job done.

Can you find the same swimming suit as last time but in a bigger size?

@doireallyneedaname

Questions like this always baffle me.

The last thing I want to do is try on clothes many strangers may have done just before me.

Unless they are quarantining the clothes...

Why?

Anything you pick up in a shop will have been picked up and touched by other people, what's the difference between trying it on there and then and trying it on 20 minutes later in your bedroom?

I don't lick or eat my clothes and I use hand sanitiser or wash my hand before putting my hands near my mouth. I really don't see a tangible risk in trying on a pair of trousers.

@Sirzy

Can you find the same swimming suit as last time but in a bigger size?

That might be an option but it was Summer 2019 that we got her current swimsuit so I don't think they will still do it. I should learn from this and but several of the same one in lots of sizes when we find one she'll wear.

Fingers crossed that some places open up their fitting rooms in the coming months. I'd much rather use a changing room that I know is being cleaned rather than having to try clothes on in a public toilet. That's a much bigger risk for everyone.

It looks like I'll need to find a local Bravissimo to sort out my rather drastic boob/bra situation.

I'm in the same dire situation. I can't keep going with my current daily clothes for much longer,.

@doireallyneedausername - there's no increased risk from trying things on from touching them. Everyone seems to be happily ignoring people touching clothes to check the care labels or see if the material crushes etc.

You don't sweat out covid through your skin, its breathing out / coughing / sneezing that's the risk. (Then that you might have droplets from your mouth / nose on your hands that you then touch something that someone else touches then touches their mouth/nose before washing their hands.)

@HalfShrunkMoreToGo Well, given we are in a pandemic I wouldn’t try them on 20 minutes later at home. If I was unsure about clothing I’d let it sit for a day or so and then try it on.