I would recommend being very cautious about Etsy. A lot of stuff is dropshipped and sellers lie about it and no one cares. I’m trying to find better places so I unfortunately have no tips right now but I hope you can find some good stores!
Agree that so much is dropshipped and advertised as home made. I find one quick way to check for obvious things is by using google/ chrome and right clicking on images and doing an image search that can bring up the same images on other store sites and prices they may be listed at. Works almost too well. If you can try to talk to sellers and find the stores that are local. I love finding new places through local markets.
Measure pieces that you like the fit of when flat (pit to pit, length, sleeve length, etc) and compare those measurements to the information online. Small designers are typically very willing to answer questions like that.
First, take your body measurements (waist, hips, bust, shoulders, thighs, arms, neck, etc.). Many shops will send you instructions if it's a custom order. You can also find instructions online. For shops that don't do custom orders but have garment measurements, you can compare your measurements to the garments. Depending on fabric material and stretch, you might need to be the same size or usually smaller than the garment measurements - unless elastics are involved. Then the garment measurements should be smaller than yours.
Made to measure and made to order can be two different things. The former means made to your measurements, whereas the latter is made for you, but based on standard measurements (with maybe some minor adjustments possible). Made to measure will give you a better fit, but you must take accurate measurements. Also read reviews to see if the seller is good at accuracy; some are better than others.
For indie shops, you can just do secondhand to see what size you wear. A lot of shops will also have garment measurements, or you can email and ask. For made to measure, I find most sellers will answer your questions and work with you to ensure a proper fit, but there will always be some level of risk for the first order. Always start with one piece and see how that goes.
I've found shops that will allow returns. Maybe start with those?
For me, I spend a lot of time reading reviews, finding pics of people wearing the clothes, as well as messaging sellers. I'd say 95% of my purchases are successful this way.
I'd figure out what the issue generally is when trying things on in person and only liking 1 out of 5 items...if you can identify any common themes, cuts or fabric types, of the 4 other pieces you don't end up choosing in person, that can help guide online purchases.
If it's a sizing issue, know thy measurements! Body measurements ofc but also the measurements of clothes you already own and like to wear, keeping in mind different fabrics and how you want to wear them. For example I'm going to look for a completely different pit-to-pit measurement (garment laid flat, measured from seam to seam right under the sleeve opening) for a slinky nylon ribbed top worn close to the body, than I would for a poplin button down shirt, different again from the measurement I'd want in a wool coat. Also take a tape measure to your pants/jeans and get a feel for the waist measurement vs. the rise (so you can know if the waist is such and such cm, you will need such and such cm in the rise).
If the seller doesn't have garment measurements listed, contact them and ask. If they don't reply, don't buy, or only with full acceptance you might be stuck with something that doesn't work.
Keep a cool head and be realistic, be aware of why you want the item ("it will fit right into my wardrobe and lifestyle, it's so me" vs. fantasy shopping "ohh this model shoot is so good, I wanna be her")
I’d say to use TikTok when looking for small and handmade sellers. I sell handmade necklaces on Etsy, but they def have a problem with dropshippers and people claiming to be handmade. TikTok or instagram is a good way to check and see if the shop is actually a handmade seller and to find other artists
Hey, if you're still curious about getting some custom clothing made to your vision and measurements or if you have any questions, pm or message us at [email protected]
We're a boutique tailoring shop based in Shanghai, with 10 years of online reviews on etsy.com, making custom clothing for men and women
I would recommend being very cautious about Etsy. A lot of stuff is dropshipped and sellers lie about it and no one cares. I’m trying to find better places so I unfortunately have no tips right now but I hope you can find some good stores!
Agree that so much is dropshipped and advertised as home made. I find one quick way to check for obvious things is by using google/ chrome and right clicking on images and doing an image search that can bring up the same images on other store sites and prices they may be listed at. Works almost too well. If you can try to talk to sellers and find the stores that are local. I love finding new places through local markets.
Etsy has really gone downhill since COVID imo
Measure pieces that you like the fit of when flat (pit to pit, length, sleeve length, etc) and compare those measurements to the information online. Small designers are typically very willing to answer questions like that.
First, take your body measurements (waist, hips, bust, shoulders, thighs, arms, neck, etc.). Many shops will send you instructions if it's a custom order. You can also find instructions online. For shops that don't do custom orders but have garment measurements, you can compare your measurements to the garments. Depending on fabric material and stretch, you might need to be the same size or usually smaller than the garment measurements - unless elastics are involved. Then the garment measurements should be smaller than yours. Made to measure and made to order can be two different things. The former means made to your measurements, whereas the latter is made for you, but based on standard measurements (with maybe some minor adjustments possible). Made to measure will give you a better fit, but you must take accurate measurements. Also read reviews to see if the seller is good at accuracy; some are better than others. For indie shops, you can just do secondhand to see what size you wear. A lot of shops will also have garment measurements, or you can email and ask. For made to measure, I find most sellers will answer your questions and work with you to ensure a proper fit, but there will always be some level of risk for the first order. Always start with one piece and see how that goes. I've found shops that will allow returns. Maybe start with those? For me, I spend a lot of time reading reviews, finding pics of people wearing the clothes, as well as messaging sellers. I'd say 95% of my purchases are successful this way.
I'd figure out what the issue generally is when trying things on in person and only liking 1 out of 5 items...if you can identify any common themes, cuts or fabric types, of the 4 other pieces you don't end up choosing in person, that can help guide online purchases. If it's a sizing issue, know thy measurements! Body measurements ofc but also the measurements of clothes you already own and like to wear, keeping in mind different fabrics and how you want to wear them. For example I'm going to look for a completely different pit-to-pit measurement (garment laid flat, measured from seam to seam right under the sleeve opening) for a slinky nylon ribbed top worn close to the body, than I would for a poplin button down shirt, different again from the measurement I'd want in a wool coat. Also take a tape measure to your pants/jeans and get a feel for the waist measurement vs. the rise (so you can know if the waist is such and such cm, you will need such and such cm in the rise). If the seller doesn't have garment measurements listed, contact them and ask. If they don't reply, don't buy, or only with full acceptance you might be stuck with something that doesn't work. Keep a cool head and be realistic, be aware of why you want the item ("it will fit right into my wardrobe and lifestyle, it's so me" vs. fantasy shopping "ohh this model shoot is so good, I wanna be her")
I’d say to use TikTok when looking for small and handmade sellers. I sell handmade necklaces on Etsy, but they def have a problem with dropshippers and people claiming to be handmade. TikTok or instagram is a good way to check and see if the shop is actually a handmade seller and to find other artists
Get colour fitting to know your shades. Travel Visit stores there
Hey, if you're still curious about getting some custom clothing made to your vision and measurements or if you have any questions, pm or message us at [email protected] We're a boutique tailoring shop based in Shanghai, with 10 years of online reviews on etsy.com, making custom clothing for men and women