My Top 10 tips for shopping online, because it’s crazy & overwhelming out there ladies,even for a shopping expert!
Sources: Pinterest
1. Know your measurements: Before you start shopping, take accurate measurements of your body to ensure you select the right size, and remembers sizing is only a guide, not a number that defines you! If someone asks me what size I am, I say that I am anything from a size 8-14 depending on how I want a garment to fit me. And with jeans you ideally want to try two of the same size as two pairs never fit the same, annoyingly.
2. Read reviews: Look at the customer reviews & ratings to get an idea of the quality & fit of the clothing items, again it’s just a guide but if everyone is saying the item ran big you know to size down, or if reviews state how thin the fabric is you know to avoid.
3. Check the retailers ‘Returns Policy’: Guilty as charged over here for missing the return date far too many times & kicking myself that I didn’t look at it correctly. AND return dates and policies change as well as there often being an extended Christmas returns policy in some stores, so keep up to date on the shops you purchase from regularly. In addition, check if there is a cost to return items as more & more manufacturers are charging to return (although personally I’d rather pay to return via post than deal with the customer service in my local Zara).
Source: Net-A-Porter
4. Compare prices: Compare prices across different websites to find the best deals / discounts, but don’t be lured in by discounts (and especially not Black Friday, more on that soon) if it isn’t something you’d buy at full price - that applies to sale items too. We all love a bargain BUT would you have purchased the item at full price?
5. Subscribe to newsletters & mobile apps: Sign up for newsletters from your favourite online stores to receive exclusive discounts & updates on new arrivals, plus some online stores offer exclusive discounts when using their app, and more often than not, app shopping is a more user-friendly shopping experience. Influencer discounts can always be useful too, although don’t be influenced into buying something you don’t actually want or need because someone is being paid to tell you that you do.
6. Check Shipping Times: Be aware of estimated shipping times & any additional shipping costs before making a purchase. Have you ever ordered a panic buy for a wedding / last minute for a holiday and it didn’t arrive & then all that hassle of having to return?
7. Read Product Descriptions: Pay close attention to product descriptions, materials, care instructions, & sizing charts provided by the seller. I have definitely forgotten to do this previously & bought something that contained 5% wool …… I am allergic to wool and this was such a rookie error as I always remember to check the compositions. Also check if the garment is machine washable or dry clean only …. many fast fashion retailers don’t want to pay the high costs for the fabric testing to enable a garment to be machine washable so “shove” a “Dry Clean Only” label on. This is a huge additional cost for you as you’ll need to consider how often the garment will need laundering.
Source: John Lewis
8. Use Filters & Search Tools: Utilise the filters & search options on the website to narrow down your choices based on size, colour, style, & price range; you will not be swayed by random items you come across & possible unnecessarily purchases. Also, ALWAYS look at the lightest garment of a style to see the details; seaming, raw hems, pockets, fabric details etc.
9. Save Your Receipts & always scan your member cards: Save confirmation emails in a folder and keep all receipts for your purchases for reference or in case you need to return an item, and always see if you can get a copy electronically e.g. using your M&S Sparks card, scanning your H&M members card etc.
10. Consider Sustainability: This should probably be number 1 BUT I would be hypocritical to say don’t buy online when I often do so myself. There is no point in me telling you not to buy online due to the sustainability aspect as it is a way of life for us all now in our busy lives, but please make considered choices. It also gives us access to brands we may never otherwise be able to shop at. In addition, many stores offer multi brands on their online platform so we can buy across brands saving postage, packaging & all the returning dilemmas (John Lewis, Next, M&S, H&M for example).
If you’re environmentally conscious, look for stores that offer sustainable & eco-friendly clothing options, and be more considered in all your shopping purchases. Good luck out there!
Source: Pinterest