the invention relates to an improved method of providing customers with indications of whether certain articles , for instance footwear or clothing , will fit that customer and to making recommendations for articles that will fit . the method takes body size data regarding the size / shape of the appropriate body part of the customer and compares the data against a reference body size / shape associated with an article . the reference body size is obtained from the recorded body sizes of previous customers who are known to fit the particular article . a match between the current customer &# 39 ; s body size and the reference body size for an article is an indication that such article will fit that customer . the present invention thus avoids any need to obtain any size information about the article itself and can generate the reference body size data through normal retail practices . the invention is particularly applicable to the fitting of shoes .