We’ve already covered how to evaluate a potential purchase for quality and longevity, but what about comfort? I mean, aside from the obvious – does it itch, pinch, pull, or otherwise irritate you from the moment you pull it on – are there ways to determine if a garment will be comfortable under multiple circumstances, and on a longer timeline than its initial dry run in the dressing room?

Funny you should ask.

Wear it as you would in real life.

I’m a big proponent of the Shopping Catsuit: A neutral tank and pair of leggings that needn’t be removed in the dressing room to gauge overall fit. However, you probably don’t wear a Shopping Catsuit on a daily basis, and when investigating overall comfort, you need to give a garment a dressing room test run that is as close to “real use” conditions as possible. Don’t slip on a skirt over your leggings unless you’ll always wear it with leggings. How will you know if the waistband digs, if the seams flap or itch? Try it on as you’d wear it in real life, and make sure it’s comfortable under those conditions. read more