Hey everyone,
So today's post is for those of you who may be having the natural debate to have (in this day and age) about whether to switch to the pleasant, non-judgemental ways of online shopping. Where you don't have to find the will to get dressed and ready for walking around a crowded shopping centre - or go out and try on all the wonderful clothes, maybe make it a day trip - and have lunch in some fancy restaurant (or Mcdonalds).
I love shopping in general, so sit back and enjoy one excited shopaholic jabber on about the different ways you can snag a super, amazing deal.
A few years back, I first started shopping online. Not for clothes, but for Taylor Swift merch (which is still a thing I save up for). I'd scour eBay and Amazon for those rare bargains and then pester my parents to let me buy it (with my own pocket money, may I add) . Yet, that was where my adventures into the world of online retail ended.
I think last year (so yes, still fairly recent), I was idly surfing clothing websites - as I often do, usually to find something I like, screenshot it and then try it on in the store, to make my final decision. This time it was ASOS - which, for those of you who don't know- is an online shopping company. Therefore there weren't any physical stores. Whilst looking through the website, having already decided that I wouldn't be swayed to buy anything because that was too risky (not because of the website/company - but because i'd heard that online shopping for clothes wasn't the best idea), I found the most beautiful collared smock dress (read my post raving about smock dresses here ) and I decided to go for it.
And this wasn't a blind decision. I reasoned with myself and figured that since it was designed to be a loose fitting smock dress - I couldn't really go wrong with it. Especially since I was already a fan of this style of dress.
And I was right. It was a beautiful dress, and I have worn it since.
Saying this, it was a relatively risky choice and whilst ASOS does do returns, it is alot of effort to undergo for one dress. So here are a few tips regarding online shopping before I go into my comparison of the two styles of shopping :
#1 : Make sure it's a trusted site. Read reviews, watch videos etc. Online shops that have physical stores are generally trustworthy (i.e H&M , Topshop *I have bought from these, and the experience was very smooth*). Shops like ASOS and Pretty Little Thing are also good. However smaller stores like Romwe and Shein are ones to be careful about. Ensure that you do your research.
#2 : Know your measurements as well as sizes from a variety of different shops. ASOS do a size match to help you find the most suitable size for you, so it really helps to have as much information as you can to ensure you're getting your perfect fit. However, if in doubt either don't get the clothing item or (if you're desperate for it) go for the size above. Better too much than too little as you can always get it tailored.
#3 : Try to avoid buying clothing items in a certain style that you haven't tried before. Whilst I will always encourage you to go outside your comfort zone with clothes and expand your style, try stay clear from doing this on an online platfrom. It's much safer to go for these things in store where you can see if you like it or not before you buy it.
And finally, a comparison - and my final opinion. I personally prefer traditional shopping. Don't get me wrong, online shopping is great and I love the feeling of having a wonderful package waiting at home for you, but I would only ever do it with things like T-shirts, skirts or loose fitting dresses due to the fact that you can never 100% gurantee that it will fit. I like that with traditional shopping I can see how the item looks on me, before I make my decision and also make it into a fun outing with friends.
Saying that, you can shop online in the comforts of your own home but that choice is all up to you and how well you know your size and what suits you.
I hope this post was helpful, and i'll see you soon with another post!
So today's post is for those of you who may be having the natural debate to have (in this day and age) about whether to switch to the pleasant, non-judgemental ways of online shopping. Where you don't have to find the will to get dressed and ready for walking around a crowded shopping centre - or go out and try on all the wonderful clothes, maybe make it a day trip - and have lunch in some fancy restaurant (or Mcdonalds).
I love shopping in general, so sit back and enjoy one excited shopaholic jabber on about the different ways you can snag a super, amazing deal.
A few years back, I first started shopping online. Not for clothes, but for Taylor Swift merch (which is still a thing I save up for). I'd scour eBay and Amazon for those rare bargains and then pester my parents to let me buy it (with my own pocket money, may I add) . Yet, that was where my adventures into the world of online retail ended.
I think last year (so yes, still fairly recent), I was idly surfing clothing websites - as I often do, usually to find something I like, screenshot it and then try it on in the store, to make my final decision. This time it was ASOS - which, for those of you who don't know- is an online shopping company. Therefore there weren't any physical stores. Whilst looking through the website, having already decided that I wouldn't be swayed to buy anything because that was too risky (not because of the website/company - but because i'd heard that online shopping for clothes wasn't the best idea), I found the most beautiful collared smock dress (read my post raving about smock dresses here ) and I decided to go for it.
And this wasn't a blind decision. I reasoned with myself and figured that since it was designed to be a loose fitting smock dress - I couldn't really go wrong with it. Especially since I was already a fan of this style of dress.
And I was right. It was a beautiful dress, and I have worn it since.
Saying this, it was a relatively risky choice and whilst ASOS does do returns, it is alot of effort to undergo for one dress. So here are a few tips regarding online shopping before I go into my comparison of the two styles of shopping :
#1 : Make sure it's a trusted site. Read reviews, watch videos etc. Online shops that have physical stores are generally trustworthy (i.e H&M , Topshop *I have bought from these, and the experience was very smooth*). Shops like ASOS and Pretty Little Thing are also good. However smaller stores like Romwe and Shein are ones to be careful about. Ensure that you do your research.
#2 : Know your measurements as well as sizes from a variety of different shops. ASOS do a size match to help you find the most suitable size for you, so it really helps to have as much information as you can to ensure you're getting your perfect fit. However, if in doubt either don't get the clothing item or (if you're desperate for it) go for the size above. Better too much than too little as you can always get it tailored.
#3 : Try to avoid buying clothing items in a certain style that you haven't tried before. Whilst I will always encourage you to go outside your comfort zone with clothes and expand your style, try stay clear from doing this on an online platfrom. It's much safer to go for these things in store where you can see if you like it or not before you buy it.
And finally, a comparison - and my final opinion. I personally prefer traditional shopping. Don't get me wrong, online shopping is great and I love the feeling of having a wonderful package waiting at home for you, but I would only ever do it with things like T-shirts, skirts or loose fitting dresses due to the fact that you can never 100% gurantee that it will fit. I like that with traditional shopping I can see how the item looks on me, before I make my decision and also make it into a fun outing with friends.
Saying that, you can shop online in the comforts of your own home but that choice is all up to you and how well you know your size and what suits you.
I hope this post was helpful, and i'll see you soon with another post!
-The Blogtique xx
