Why clothing is the biggest DHgate spreadsheet category
Clothing terms dominate DHgate spreadsheet searches: "dhgate clothing spreadsheet", "dhgate clothes spreadsheet", "dhgate spreadsheet clothes" and "dhgate spreadsheet clothing" add up to roughly 350 searches a month in the US, UK and Canada, before you count specific items such as t-shirts, jeans, pants and bottoms. Clothing is cheap to ship, easy to photograph and forgiving if quality is average, which makes it the natural first DHgate order. It is also where most disappointments happen, and nearly all of them come down to size.
Sizing: measure, don't trust labels
Many DHgate clothing sellers use Asian sizing, which typically runs one to two sizes smaller than US or UK labels. Some copy a size chart from another product. The reliable method is to lay a garment you already own flat and measure it: chest from armpit to armpit, length from the top of the shoulder to the hem, and for trousers the waist laid flat, the inseam and the thigh. Compare those numbers in centimetres with the seller's chart, allowing a centimetre or two for stretch. If the listing has no chart, ask the seller before paying.
| Garment | Measure | Common trap |
|---|---|---|
| T-shirt | Chest width, length | Oversized fits labelled as regular |
| Hoodie / sweatshirt | Chest, length, sleeve | Short sleeves on tall buyers |
| Jeans / pants | Waist flat, inseam, thigh | Waist in inches on one chart, cm on another |
| Shorts | Waist, inseam, leg opening | Inseam much shorter than photos suggest |
| Gym wear | Chest or hip, length | Compression fits listed as normal |
Size from your own garment's measurements in centimetres, not from S, M or L.
Fabric and what photos reveal
Listings often say "cotton" when the fabric is a blend. Buyer photos in daylight show more than the description: look at the weave, whether the fabric looks thin against light, how collars and cuffs sit, and whether prints are crisp at the edges. Heavyweight cotton tees and fleece-lined hoodies photograph differently from thin jersey; if every buyer photo shows the garment looking limp, it is thin. Reviews mentioning shrinking after the first wash are worth taking seriously.
What to buy direct on DHgate
Basics with no logos are where DHgate clothing makes the most sense: plain heavyweight tees, blank hoodies, joggers, cargo pants, gym shorts and leggings, workwear jackets, simple knitwear and "old money" style plain polos and chinos. These have little customs risk and lots of competing sellers, so you can pick one with a strong review record. Searches for "dhgate old money spreadsheet" and "dhgate archive spreadsheet" are mostly about these styles: clean tailoring and vintage-inspired cuts rather than any single brand.
What to skip
Skip garments that only make sense because they copy a brand's logo or signature print. Customs in the US, Canada, the UK, the EU and Australia can seize trademark-infringing goods, and neither DHgate nor an agent refunds a seizure. Skip children's nightwear and anything flammable-looking without safety labels, since several countries have specific rules for those.
Men's and women's clothing
Searches like "dhgate men spreadsheet" and "dhgate mens spreadsheet" lean towards hoodies, jerseys, cargo pants and shoes; women's searches, covered on our women's spreadsheet page, lean towards dresses, skirts, bags and jewelry. The sizing method is the same for both, but women's sizing charts vary more between sellers, so measurements matter even more.
T-shirts, jeans, pants and bottoms
For t-shirts, the weight in grams per square metre, when listed, is the best quality signal: 200 gsm or more feels substantial, under 160 gsm is thin. For jeans, look for the fabric weight in ounces and check buyer photos of the stitching on pockets and belt loops. For bottoms generally, inseam is where most returns start: confirm it against a pair you own. Shorts have their own page, DHgate shorts spreadsheet, and outerwear lives on hoodies and jackets.
Direct or through an agent?
One tee on DHgate with free shipping is simple. A wardrobe refresh of six pieces from different shops is cheaper in one agent parcel, where you also see warehouse photos and measurements before shipping. The DHgate or agent guide works through both, and the photo grid on this page shows clothing from a 10,000+ item Taobao and Weidian catalogue with real photos, so you can compare quality before deciding.
Import costs on clothing
Clothing is usually one customs category per type. For EU buyers, including the Netherlands, the €3 duty introduced in July 2026 applies per category, so three tees count once but a tee, jeans and a hoodie count three times. US buyers owe duty on every parcel; textile duty rates are among the higher ones, so a duties-paid line avoids surprises. UK and Australian buyers usually pay tax at checkout. See the Netherlands and US pages.
Buy basics direct, size by measurements, and move to an agent once the order grows past a few pieces.
Caring for cheap clothing so it lasts
Inexpensive garments last noticeably longer with gentle care: wash inside out on a cool cycle, skip the tumble dryer for printed tees, and dry knitwear flat. Most shrinkage complaints in reviews come from hot washes. Treat the first wash as part of the quality check, and measure again afterwards.
FAQ
Does DHgate clothing run small?
Often, because many sellers use Asian sizing. Compare the seller's chart in centimetres with a garment you own.
What fabric details should I look for?
Fabric weight (gsm for tees, ounces for denim) and buyer photos in daylight. 'Cotton' on its own can mean a blend.
Is DHgate good for basics?
Yes. Plain, unbranded basics are its strongest clothing category.
Can I return clothes that don't fit?
Returning abroad is rarely worth the postage. A dispute succeeds only if the item differs from the seller's chart.
Will customs charge duty on clothing?
Often. The US charges on every parcel; the EU counts each clothing type as a separate €3 category.