Buying a wedding waistcoat for your special event may seem a simple task and it can be quite surprising when you start the process just how much design choice you are faced with.

As we all know, waistcoats are - in the main - just 3 pieces of material joined together - 2 at the front and one at the back - with a little adjustable strap added for good measure. To find a good website shop can be likened to opening a box of chocolates as there will be so much to choose from. Waistcoat materials can be cotton, silk, polyester, satin, suede - to name just a few. They can be plain or patterned - quilted, crinkled, jacquered, marcella - again the list seems endless.

So when you have considered all the options and chosen your garment, you place the order, pay, breathe a sigh of relief - that's one more chore ticked off your "to do" list and you sit back and await delivery thinking that's the end of the process.

Unfortunately, unless you have taken time to measure yourself or, if ordering for an entire wedding party - all the people involved, it can turn into a nightmare when the order arrives and you find the garments are too big or too small.

At the point of ordering you may think "Oh well - I'll order it and if it's too big/small I can always send it back and get another one sent" Whilst this may be true, and indeed all reputable companies will endeavour to do this, it needs to be considered that whilst the style may have been consistent over the years - patterns and colour swatches do change and out of the 4 waistcoats you ordered 2 weeks ago but need to send 2 back - when the replacements are sent you may find them to be a different shade of the same colour. Additionally, that particular pattern of waistcoat may have been sold out and no further stocks expected. This is not the fault of the supplier. On the contrary, it is a reality of the clothing manufacturing industry.

So what can you do to make sure you order the correct size and therefore get your complete order right first time? A few tips are:

If the web supplier has a Sizing and Buying Guide, read it as they may include information such as 'Snug Fit' or 'Generous Fit' and recommend that you go up or down a size if you want a different fit.

If you think you have always been a Large, Medium etc., measure anyway - it's surprising how our measurements can change with time. Additionally - not all suppliers size L or M etc., will be the same so look at your supplier's additional information, eg L (40"-42" Chest)

Always measure children and avoid buying for an age group, eg Age 3, as not all 3 year olds are the same size or shape. Again - it pays to be sure to avoid disappointment.

By taking a bit of care with measuring you can reduce the chance of disappointment and inconvenience and have more time to spend on the rest of your planning.