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After a year of switching to fully remote work, those in the design world definitely had to step up our game for fittings. It can be very challenging to run a remote fitting because you're very limited beyond what you can just see with your eyes. Touch is *such* an essential factor when it comes to fitting, and losing that one sense is really tricky.
Over the last year, my team has focused on getting the most out of these online fittings, and to help you out, we came up with several tips to help them run smoothly as possible.
Check out all the many ways we're making fittings that run smoother than your favorite t-shirt bra:
BEFORE THE FITTING:
1. Measure the garments ahead of time whenever possible. Remember to mark the items out of tolerance (OOT), so you can understand quickly what may be negatively affecting fit just from specs alone.
Pro tip: Find fit models that have technical experience whenever you can. Ask them to help you measure the garments so you can ship them directly to the model. Train them how to measure + read your tech packs if they're not super experienced. It will save you a lot of time and shipping fees.
Extra pro tip: Don't forget to crack any basting stitches if the factory forgot! This makes a huge difference in the way the garment feels on the body.
2. Get the patterns! Ask the manufacturer for images or screen captures of the pattern pieces. Many fit problems are visible on pattern pieces, so it's always helpful if you can have the pattern and the garment when you're running the fitting.
3. Be prepared! Come to the fitting with notes about the garments if you've seen them in person already. Consider how the factory followed your instructions and whether you like the techniques they used. Knowing all prominent callouts ahead of the fitting helps the process flow and keeps it as organized as possible.
Pro tip: Put your thoughts in order from top to bottom, so it's easier to make sure you've covered all the bases.
4. Check your supplies! If you're sending out to a model, make sure you send the supplies they might need to make live-time adjustments to the garments. Consider whether your fit model has pins, scissors, and a colorful marker in case you need to draw new lines or seam placements on the garment.
5. Request a mid-tone fabric color for your sample. Ask for your samples to be made with a darker mid-tone color, but not black. Black garments are hard to see well on zoom calls, so we love to ask our factories to send us a mid-tone solid or a very simple print to see the style lines and seams clearly in our calls.
Okay, so you've got yourself prepped, and you're ready to throw those bad boys on a body. Check out part two of this series to learn how to actually RUN a remote fitting.
Anything confusing? Need a little extra help? Book a 1-on-1 session with Kristen to talk through your biggest struggles and hurdles. We're here to help.