Try before you buy!

I bought 2 pairs of linen trousers at M&Co last summer and tried them on - fine. But after wearing them for a few hours they just got bigger and bigger and were unwearable. No point taking them in as I wouldn’t have been able to get inti them when freshly washed! I think this can happen with cheaper linen, not sure whether it is body warmth that does it, but it’s really annoying. I guess I could have taken them back but it was hard to prove what had happened so they went to the charity shop.

As a machinist in an M&S factory many years ago I was told to sew in any label to keep the line going. 'They can always take it back'.

A couple of years ago I walked out of Sainsbury's with three tops, one size 8, one size 10 and the other size 12. All tried on and fitting. More recently made the mistake of buying a size 10 casual jacket from the same shop without trying it on as I was in a hurry. It was so small I had difficulty getting my arms down the sleeves and once on I couldn't get the two sides of the zip within 6 inches of each other. Everything else I was wearing was size 10 and comfortable.

This is why, I buy very few clothes online and (almost) always try clothes on before I buy. I never even take the labels off a garment until the first time I wear it.

bradfordlass. . Wish I'd tried more when I had the chances ...sigh!

I have found that the big multiples have a policy of accepting returns like this - with a genuine reason. Sadly I have found that independent shops are not so accommodating- I guess they just can’t afford the losses. It’s difficult, because we all want to support independent shops and don’t want to lose them, but I have been so put off buying because of past experience, when I wanted a refund on an item (not even clothing) which was sealed, labelled, receipted, same bag - the very next day and they refused offering credit note only.

Try before you buy!

I've always followed this philosophy with men - never fails.

Shutting the stable door after horse has bolted I know, but would ALWAYS try on stuff before altering as clothes vary so much even same style, retailer etc.

Moral - if you haven't tried them on before buying, try on BOTH pairs before making alterations. Even a very slight difference in the size can change the fit.

If they measure them and see the 6-inch extra for themselves, they may accept them for exchange, but they would be within their rights to refuse as you have altered them.