It is almost difficult to remember a time when online shopping wasn’t available, and some generations may well never remember an era such as this! Being able to purchase things online and have them delivered directly to your front door is certainly useful, but there are drawbacks to this method of retail therapy, too.
This is particularly true when it comes to clothing, and the effort of sending items back that you aren’t happy with can be annoying and time-consuming. If you want to avoid having to do this as much as possible, below are some quick tips to help you get the best possible results when you are buying clothes online.
1. Always Read Reviews
This is a good rule for anything that you purchase online, but if you are deciding to get yourself a new dress, shoes, trousers, etc., always start by looking at previous customer reviews. Photography on these websites can be deceiving, and it’s also important to acknowledge that these styles might look different on you than they do on the model, especially if you have a different height or body shape to them.
Reading the reviews can help you get better insight into what to expect when these items arrive at your door. Customers can leave reviews regarding things like true color, true fit, delivery times, and overall quality of the material and tailoring. If you see more negative reviews than positive ones, you might not want to bother with that particular purchase.
2. Take Your Measurements
Another thing to look out for when shopping for clothes online is the sizing charts. You might wear a certain size, but sizes won’t necessarily be the same for every clothing brand, especially if you are purchasing from a retailer based in another country.
These sizes vary, so taking your measurements for your bust, waist, hips, and length too can help you get a more accurate view of what will fit you and what won’t. You can usually find these details on the website or use an online size guide – especially when it comes to apparel for below the waist, which is notoriously challenging to buy since many people have unique shapes and sizes. If you need a belt, for example, this belt size chart is a good example of what to look out for when choosing one, as well as other clothing and accessories.
3. Look at the Return Policies
Hopefully, you will be so thrilled with your purchases that you won’t feel the need to return them to the retailer. However, this will happen occasionally, so it’s always a good idea to check out the return policies of the seller before you process that payment.
Some independent sellers may not offer refunds or charge additional expenses to process this. Others will provide free return post labels and set out clear guidelines on how you can get your refund, including processing times. It’s always worth checking to ensure you can get your money back easily and quickly if you are unhappy with your order.
If you want to make sure you are avoiding many disappointments when shopping for clothes online, use these quick tips to help you try and get the best results possible instead.
Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at BlueFashion. She has been steering the website's content and editorial direction since 2013. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra's expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.
