shoppantsAttemption

shoppantsAttemption is a coined term used to describe a consumer behavior pattern in which shoppers repeatedly engage with the process of selecting pants—trying on, comparing sizes and styles, and evaluating fit and price—without committing to a purchase. The term highlights how the prospect of obtaining new pants can provoke ongoing exploration, rather than immediate decision, especially when retailers offer low-risk returns, extensive online catalogs, and adaptive sizing tools.

Originating in online fashion discourse in the early 2020s, the term fuses shop, pants, and attempt, with the capitalized Attemption signaling the friction or temptation inherent in the behavior.

Characteristics include repeated trials across brands or sizes, reliance on size charts and virtual try-on tools, and extended time on shopping platforms. The phenomenon is driven by fit anxiety, size variability, generous return policies, and cognitive biases that encourage continued searching before finalizing a purchase.

Retail analytics note higher on-site engagement and potential increases in return rates, while brands may refine size guides, offer fit guidance, and optimize recommendations to reduce attemption. The concept remains informal and is primarily discussed in fashion blogs and consumer-trends commentary rather than formal scholarly literature.

See also: consumer behavior, online shopping, fashion retail, sizing standards.