Size and fit are the biggest obstacles you’ll likely face when buying clothes. And yet they can be easy to get right, once you know how. In the above video, MR PORTER’s Style Director Benedict Browne showcases how to measure yourself from home. But to go alongside his handy advice, we thought we’d compile five bonus tips from some trusted friends and experts to help you rethink your wardrobe and avoid any poorly fitting pitfalls going forward.

“A common misconception is that sizing is standardised across regions and brands,” says Adele Corbello, the Head of Design & Production at Mr P. “And that garments should fit the same regardless of where they come from. In reality, fit is much more personal.

“We think of size and fit in terms of how a garment feels on the body, rather than just its measurements. Two garments with the same measurements can feel very different depending on cut, fabrication and intention. So, it’s important for the wearer to try on the clothing and think about how they want the piece to sit and move.”

“One of the most common misconceptions is relying solely on standard sizing (S, M, L or numeric sizes) without considering how sizing can vary significantly between brands and even between different styles within the same brand,” says Matthew Schroder, Senior Personal Shopper at MR PORTER. “For example, a medium in Brunello Cucinelli will fit differently to a medium in Gucci.

“Another frequent mistake is focusing only on one measurement, such as chest size, while overlooking other key areas like shoulders or garment length, which can have a significant impact on overall fit and proportion. Clients also sometimes default to sizing up for comfort, when the intended fit of the garment – for example, tailored or oversized – should guide that decision. Understanding the brand’s intention is key to achieving a balanced and flattering silhouette.”

“The truth is that many of the people we regard as stylish are working with a tailor, not just pulling things out of a box and putting them on,” Derek Guy writes. “A tailor can help you refine the two most important qualities of an outfit: fit and silhouette. Fit refers to technical aspects, such as whether shirt buttons are straining or a suit jacket’s collar hugs your neck. Silhouette, on the other hand, refers to an outfit’s shape once you strip away all of its details (think of it as your outfit’s outline). Even the simplest outfit can look great if you’ve nailed the fit and silhouette, which is why the path to an improved wardrobe frequently begins with a visit to a tailor’s shop.”

Make sure your watch goes with the rest of your outfit. “If you’re just starting out, then the no-fail rule is to go by proportion,” the celebrity stylist Ilaria Urbinati tells us. “Skinny suit, skinny lapel, thin watch. If you’re going for something big and bolder or a more casual look, you go for a rugged watch or a bigger watch.

“As you get to know your stuff, then you can play against those rules a little bit. It can be fun to have a sportier watch with a suit, but proportions are everything. When pants got wider, shoes had to get wider. We used to pair skinny little Louboutins with skinny Dior pants; that doesn’t work with bigger pants – you don’t want that little Miss Piggy foot. So, for watches, you don’t want that tiny little Tank if the suit gets to be more American Psycho.”

“Timelessness is achievable when someone possesses three things,” Guy writes. “Self-knowledge, confidence in their taste and an understanding of culture.”

He argues that fit matters, understanding what works for you, and where you fit within a wider context, is perhaps more important. “Even as fuller silhouettes gain popularity, skinny black jeans paired with a black double rider and black boots will always look great, thanks to figures like Lou Reed and the legacy of 1980s punk. Likewise, a trim suit with cigarette trousers can channel 1960s mod cool even in more contemporary cuts (let CELINE be your guide). These aesthetics endure because they connect to groups that have always wielded cultural capital.”