Ordering a piece of clothing online and receiving a size that is too small or too large remains the primary reason for returns on fashion platforms. On Zalando, where hundreds of brands with different cuts and size references coexist, the risk of error increases with each new purchase. A few concrete habits can help reduce this risk even before validating the cart.
Cross-brand size recommendation on Zalando: an underutilized tool
Zalando no longer just offers a generic size chart. Since 2024, the platform has been testing a “cross-brand” size recommendation feature. The principle: your return history informs the suggestions.
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If you returned a Levi’s jean in size 42 because it was too tight, the algorithm takes this into account when you browse a Diesel or Tommy Hilfiger jean. The suggestion adjusts brand by brand, not just product by product.
For this system to work, you need to specify the reason for the return (too large, too small) for each return. Many customers skip this step, depriving the tool of data. Take a few seconds to indicate the exact reason: this makes future recommendations more reliable. You will find in the Zalando size guide for making the right choice a complete breakdown of these recommendation tools.
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Taking measurements: the method that avoids most errors
The size guides displayed on each Zalando product page convert your measurements in centimeters to the recommended size. The problem is that most buyers estimate their size “from memory” instead of actually measuring themselves.
Have you ever noticed that a size 40 from a French brand fits like a size 38 from a Scandinavian brand? Discrepancies between brands can reach a full size, sometimes more for shoes.
Measurements to take with a tape measure
Three measurements are enough to cover most everyday clothing:
- Chest circumference: place the tape under the armpits, at the widest point, without tightening. Keep your arms at your sides.
- Waist circumference: measure at the level of the navel, not above the waistband of your pants. This is a common mistake that skews the result.
- Hip circumference: place the tape at the widest point of the hips, including the buttocks.
For shoes, measure the length of your foot in centimeters (from heel to the tip of the longest toe) while standing on a piece of paper. This number is more reliable than your usual shoe size, as the French, British, and Italian systems do not overlap.
Note these measurements somewhere accessible. You will reuse them for every order, regardless of the site.
Customer reviews and fit mentions: reading between the lines
The size guide provides a basis. Customer reviews add real-life experience. On Zalando, many comments mention whether the item “runs small,” “runs large,” or “fits normally.”
Filter reviews that specify the buyer’s body type. A comment like “I am 1.75 m, 70 kg, the M fits me perfectly” is much more useful than a simple “great product.”
What detailed product pages reveal
Some brands sold on Zalando participate in the European “Digital Product Passport” initiative. In practice, this translates to more granular measurement information directly on the product page: exact length in centimeters, actual chest circumference of the garment, precise fabric composition.
A fabric with a high proportion of elastane tolerates a small sizing error. A rigid cotton without stretch does not forgive anything. The fabric composition influences the size choice as much as the centimeters.
Free returns on Zalando: a safety net, not a strategy
Zalando maintains a free return policy that allows you to order multiple sizes and return those that do not fit. This flexibility is reassuring, but it has an environmental cost that the platform is actively seeking to reduce.
In its sustainability report published in 2025, Zalando identifies reducing size-related returns as a key lever for lowering its emissions per order. The size recommendation tools are part of the “climate” measures presented to investors.
In practical terms, choosing your size better benefits everyone: fewer packages in transit, less repackaging, and a garment worn faster. Systematically ordering two sizes “to see” amounts to outsourcing the fitting work to the logistics chain.
When ordering two sizes remains relevant
There are cases where trying two sizes is justified. A brand you have never worn, an item without customer reviews, or a cut described as “fitted” without precise measurements. However, if you have already purchased from the same brand and range, rely on your history.
The ideal size on Zalando is not found in one click. It relies on three simple habits: measuring yourself once with a tape measure, reading reviews that mention a body type similar to yours, and specifying the reason for the return to refine future recommendations. These few minutes of attention before purchasing replace days of waiting for an exchange.