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"create a set of "sizing" clothes, which you send to new customers for free. They return them to you indicating which size fits best." That sounds brilliant on

"create a set of "sizing" clothes, which you send to new customers for free. They return them to you indicating which size fits best." That sounds brilliant on first reading. I think it would take a lot of work and research to make it work, but man what a killer if it does work. I don't think people change sizes that often, but that's solved by "Does Item XYZ still fit well, or should we send you another set of sizers?" Note: this has been a surprisingly interesting thread. I really don't care about clothes, as long as I don't look like a derelict. But it's been fun to read and comment.

Mz 15y ago
Actually, my line of thinking has been more along the lines of an online sizing tool that could be implemented by anyone who owns a tape measure. I can't sew, but I did learn to take measurements as a kid (and I'm handy with a seam-ripper...and a few other things). Also, I get away with grabbing stuff off the rack in part because of the types of clothes I buy. I strongly favor knits, jersey, and stuff with a smidgeon of spandex. I have a serious medical condition and I suffer edema. I can bloat up so bad overnight that people will congratulate me on my pregnancy (probably in part because they all think I am in my thirties and I am so NOT). So I can't wear anything too fitted because it may not fit from one day to the next. As I get healthier and these issues resolve, I am finding that I no longer qualify for "women's" sizes and am beginning to have some of the pain points I had in my youth: Tall, thin women have a tough time finding clothes that fit properly. (Men get "big and tall" shops. Women get "petite" (short) and "women's" (fat).) When I was younger, I sometimes fantasized about learning to make my own clothes. That never happened. These days, I fantasize about starting a factory to make the kind of things that work well for me and, oh, turn a tidy profit at the same time. Time will tell if such thoughts lead anywhere. In the mean time, I am contemplating how to address such topics on various websites I own. Thanks so much for your generous contributions to the thread.

Mz 15y ago

Actually, my line of thinking has been more along the lines of an online sizing tool that could be implemented by anyone who owns a tape measure. I can't sew, but I did learn to take measurements as a kid (and I'm handy with a seam-ripper...and a few other things). Also, I get away with grabbing stuff off the rack in part because of the types of clothes I buy. I strongly favor knits, jersey, and stuff with a smidgeon of spandex. I have a serious medical condition and I suffer edema. I can bloat up so bad overnight that people will congratulate me on my pregnancy (probably in part because they all think I am in my thirties and I am so NOT). So I can't wear anything too fitted because it may not fit from one day to the next. As I get healthier and these issues resolve, I am finding that I no longer qualify for "women's" sizes and am beginning to have some of the pain points I had in my youth: Tall, thin women have a tough time finding clothes that fit properly. (Men get "big and tall" shops. Women get "petite" (short) and "women's" (fat).) When I was younger, I sometimes fantasized about learning to make my own clothes. That never happened. These days, I fantasize about starting a factory to make the kind of things that work well for me and, oh, turn a tidy profit at the same time. Time will tell if such thoughts lead anywhere. In the mean time, I am contemplating how to address such topics on various websites I own. Thanks so much for your generous contributions to the thread.