The Style Doctors: ‘I'm a size 12. How do I make my shopping experience less of a wind-up?'

Telegraph

09-05-2025

In this advice series, Telegraph fashion experts Lisa Armstrong and Stephen Doig answer readers' what-to-wear dilemmas. This week, they advise readers on reducing the stress of the shopping experience and how to find a genuine Harris Tweed.
Dear Lisa,
Whenever I try to buy anything, it's inevitably sold out in my size (12). It's now beyond a joke, and I'm on the verge of giving up. How do I make my shopping experience less of a wind-up?
– Sarah
Dear Sarah,
I know the feeling. We often find that a product we want to feature has run low before we publish the article, which necessitates substitutions. Why can't retailers get the stock flow right? Because both the weather and we, the customers, are fickle creatures. A hit isn't always obvious, nor is a clunker. If they were, no retailer would ever go out of business.
There are actions you can take to ensure you don't miss out. Many e-tailers have a 'notify me' (or similarly worded) icon you can click on if something you fancy has sold out in your size. Sometimes they even work (M&S, John Lewis, Arket and The Fold)! Not all are obvious. On The Fold London, you have to click on a size that's sold out before you can request to be notified when it comes back in. At Sézane, it's useful to know that Wednesdays are when returned items go back on the website, so if you missed it earlier on, it might be there this week. Make the effort to find out what your favourite brands' strategies are when it comes to restocking.
Ideally of course, one would know instantly whether something will be a keeper and buy it instantly before it sells out. But life doesn't work like that, particularly online. If there's something you're keen on but not 100 per cent sure of, or you're waiting for pay day, popping it in your virtual basket can also help.
Net-a-Porter, for instance, will inform you when the piece you've reserved is about to sell out. But be warned, other sites remove your saved items the moment you log off.
Some e-tailers feature their lookbooks online so you can get an overview of what's coming and so pre-order. Or ask them to send you a brochure, which might give you a taster of the entire season's offerings.
It might be helpful to create a highly edited list of what you're looking for and when you see an exact match, buy it.
If not, it's surprising how often this season's hits come up on Vinted, eBay, Hewi and One Vintage Designs, as well as some of the rental sites, such as By Rotation and My Wardrobe. All of this requires a bit of time and effort. But perhaps that's how shopping should be.
Organic cotton dress, £125, Sezane
Leather shoes, £159, Arket
– Lisa
Dear Stephen,
Where can I find genuine Harris Tweed?
– Donald
Dear Donald,
The answer to this excellent question took me from the lapping waters of the Isle of Harris to the rolling hills of Stornoway, talking to experts in Harris Tweed. So we have it straight from the definitive voice of the Harris Tweed Authority that to ensure it's authentic, all suppliers are responsible for providing you with a woven certification mark label or swing tag. If those hallmarks aren't present or they can't produce them, you should question its heritage. Their website features images of the tags in question – as well as an excellent index of suppliers – and outlines the features, such as the signature 'orb'. They'll also assist anyone who is in two minds about the authenticity.
There are certain stipulations as to what makes it genuine Harris Tweed. It must be handwoven by the islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides, finished in the Outer Hebrides, and made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides. The final stage in the process at the Harris Tweed® (the authority emphasis to look for that telltale 'r') Mills is the Harris Tweed Authority iron on the famous Orb Certification Mark beeswax transfer on the reverse of the cloth, and only at that point does it officially become Harris Tweed. As to where to find it, their website is a great resource, as is Harris Tweed Isle of Harris. And as a Scot, I can attest to what a bonny fabric it is, too. Haste ye back.