Why women don't trust their partner to buy the right clothes or presents

Millions of British women would not trust their partner to buy clothes for them, according to new research.

Eight in 10 females don’t think their other half could be trusted to purchase the perfect outfit – with questionable taste among the most common reasons why.

However, 76% of men would have no qualms letting their significant other buy them something nice to wear.

A third of women dread Valentine’s Day because they fear they’ll have to pretend to like what their partner gets them – with half admitting they’ve received a gift they haven’t liked in the past.

The research of 1,000 women and 1,000 men in relationship was commissioned by Fits Me which allows internet shoppers to see exactly how garments look and feel.

Stuart Simms, CEO at Fits Me said: “It’s safe to say we all love receiving gifts we like, but on the other hand if it’s not quite right we feel a tad awkward – and perhaps even a bit burdened.

'Buying clothes for a partner can be especially tricky'

“Gift buying isn’t always easy – with some people easier to shop for than others and perhaps the research reflects that. Buying clothes for a partner can be especially tricky, not only with regard to choosing the right size, but as people tend to have quite fixed ideas of what they like.”

The biggest concern for both men and women when buying clothes for their nearest and dearest is that they won’t like it, followed by getting the right fit.

A quarter of females and a fifth of men said they have returned items of clothing bought for them by their partners.

Around half of females wouldn’t have faith their partner could do a weekly food shop on their own – with 43% fearing they’d overspend. In comparison, three quarters of men would trust their significant other to successfully buy the groceries.

'Other items most women wouldn’t trust their partner to buy without their input include holidays, kitchen items and shoes'

While 92% of women wouldn’t trust their other half to buy make-up for them and eight in 10 wouldn’t be confident letting them purchase clothes for the kids.

What's more, more than three quarters of women think they are better at buying things for other people than there partner is.

Other items most women wouldn’t trust their partner to buy without their input include holidays, kitchen items and shoes.

Stuart added: “As our tools become increasingly sophisticated, they can not only provide accurate recommendations for fit and size of clothing, but also style and preference. So perhaps technology holds the key to the future for gifting.”