After trying on tons of different outfits from all sorts of brands over the weekend (I’m getting fall outfit looks together to share with you on the blog!), it got me thinking about how many people experience fitting room anxiety. I used to be one of them (and TBH, on my worst of days, I definitely still do), but after much soul-searching and learning to love my body as it is, I’m going to share some tricks and tools that have helped me make trying on clothes a much more fun (i.e. less stress-ridden) experience. We’re all beautiful, so we shouldn’t let a piece of clothing get in the way of that!

UNDERSTAND THAT THE SIZE IS ARBITRARY

For years I’ve overheard women, from pre-teen to middle-aged, put pressure on themselves to be a specific clothing size. The truth is, that’s virtually impossible for two reasons.

1) Every brand’s sizing runs differently depending on who their audience is. That means you may be a size two at one store and an eight at another. Brands also often buy clothing from random wholesalers in the supply chain, so two different pairs of pants from the same store may fit totally differently, even if they’re the same size.

2) Our bodies fluctuate daily depending on hydration levels, the time of the month, or what stage of digestion we’re in. Long story short, you’re never exactly the same from hour to hour.

Take it from someone who used to try squeezing into the size I thought I should be, rather than choosing a piece based on fit: You’re going to end up wasting your money buying things that don’t feel good, and you’ll cause yourself even more anxiety trying to make them work in the future.

TAKE TWO OR THREE SIZES INTO THE FITTING ROOM WITH YOU

Having got that ‘size means nothing’ (seriously, it doesn’t) stuff out of the way, I suggest that when you’re trying on anything, bring two or three sizes of it into the fitting room with you. Most stores allow for eight to twelve pieces of clothing in a dressing room, so it’s not an issue to lug a ton in. Once I’m in the fitting room, I don’t even look at the size I’m trying on. That way I’m more focused on how the outfit feels and if I like it or not.

SPEAKING OF VOLUME…

I’m also a huge proponent of trying on loads of stuff. Although size doesn’t matter, statistics do, and it’s really a numbers game when it comes to success rate. The more stuff you try on, the greater the likelihood that you’ll find something you like. And if you have to make a second round, so be it!

BRING SOME BACKUP WITH YOU

If I ever hit that point in the fitting room where that inner voice starts criticizing me (this actually hits me about an hour after trying on), I have a lineup of saved Instagram posts from body positive women to call upon. See?! There’s a great use for that little bookmark button on Instagram after all! I just pull out my phone and look at these posts to remind myself that my worth is not based on how something fits me or looks on me. Some of my favorites include this one from Denise Bidot, this one from Sarah Jane Adams, and this one from @nourishandeat, which is oddly appropriate for the solar eclipse today.

IT’S NOT ALWAYS GOING TO WORK OUT…AND THAT’S OKAY

There have been plenty of times that I’ve brought like twenty things into the fitting room and not one of them worked on my body. That doesn’t mean I failed, that I’m not good enough or that I need to go burn calories. It simply means that these pieces weren’t for me, and that’s it. Sure, it’s frustrating when you’re looking for an outfit and wind up empty handed, but understand that the frustration is just about wanting something new and not getting it. What it’s not about is beating yourself up for hating how you looked in a piece of clothing. Clothing is supposed to fit you, not the other way around.

I hope these tips have helped you in some way. Even if just one of you gets something out of it, that would mean the world to me. If you have thoughts on this or have fitting room anxiety, I would love for you to share your feelings in the comments. Are there any tricks you use?

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