When you’re looking to revamp your wardrobe, there’s nothing like going on a shopping spree. But, driving all the way to the mall and lugging around bags for hours is a bit old school nowadays. People are turning to online shopping more than ever. There are many conveniences that accompany shopping from the comfort of your own home. For starters, there’s no need wear a bra or pants. There’s no need to wrangle up the kids into a car. An additional bonus includes not having to deal with traffic just to buy one thing at Target. The list of benefits goes on and on. However, you’ve probably seen countless ‘expectations vs. reality‘ when it comes to online shopping and some bad stories may make you skeptical. there are some ways to make online shopping work for you.
1. Make a list.
Whether you’re shopping for a specific occasion or you’re getting ready to shop for your seasonal wardrobe, create a list of the pieces you want or need. You can break it down into categories such as accessories, basics, and statement pieces. You should think of retail therapy as fun, but it’s a task that can also be handled like a trip to the grocery store. Stick to what’s on the list! This is a great way to avoid over-spending. Here’s a good start:
2. Know your measurements.
Whether you’re shopping at your favorite store or giving a new online shop a try, you should know what your measurements are. It’s never safe to assume that you’re the same size at every retailer. Key measurements include waist, hips, chest, shoulders, and height (for the length of skirts, dresses, and tops). Know your measurements in inches and centimeters to be on the safe side.
3. Check size charts.
Once you’ve got your measurements, you’ll want to check size charts for each and every item you are interested in. Some online sites present one consistent size chart that’s used for all their items, which means that their items will all generally run consistently as far as sizing goes. Other sites such as Shein.com, might have size charts that fluctuate from item to item. It’s important to look into these size charts in order to determine if you need to size up, size down or remain true to size.
4. Model behavior.
With that being said, you also want to look at the model’s measurements for every item you’re interested in. Take note of the size she’s wearing. Models typically wear smalls. If they’re wearing a medium in the photo, then it’s likely the item runs a little small and you’ll want to size up or down depending on your own measurements. You’ll also want to take into consideration how tall a model is-especially if you’re looking at a skirt or dress she’s wearing. It’s very common for someone to purchase a dress or skirt based on the way it falls on a model who is not the same height as the shopper, and that can be enough to drive someone away from shopping online again in the future.
5. Material, girl.
Do you ever find yourself drawn to a top, sweater or coat at a store simply because of the way it feels? The material is incredibly important. Don’t be fooled by photos posted on a site because photos can be incredibly deceptive. Always check the item description which should not only include measurements but the material the item is made of. If you aren’t sure what material you should opt for, head to your closet and look for your favorite items and read the labels on each item to find a consistent pattern. Do you prefer cotton? Are you a fan of linen? Do you really want wool? There’s nothing worse than expecting silk and receiving polyester.