When I’m stuck in my most boring lecture, I often find myself distracted planning the perfect party outfit, dreaming about the highest pair of high heels or imagining the coziest winter sweater out there. In this case, the only sensible thing to do is comply with my wishes, indulge myself and shop online. Quickly, I fall victim to unrealistic items that I really cannot afford and shopping carts full of things I will never realistically buy. Granted, this still functions as a great distraction. However, there are rare occasions where I actually take the plunge and order something. Over time (and with much practice), I’ve learned the art of online shopping; it’s not as simple as it appears. Here are some tips to guarantee success with future online clothing purchases:
Play it safe. It’s smart to stick to the basics, so don’t go crazy trying wild cutouts or plunging necklines. This isn’t the time to take risks. Try buying clothing with simple silhouettes and classic shapes. Baggy sweaters, flowy skirts, loose tank tops, leggings – all are relatively easy to size. If you can’t tell exactly how a piece is going to lie on your body, chances are, it’s time to reconsider. Now this doesn’t mean you can only buy basics, but take caution purchasing riskier items. It’s very possible they won’t fit, and you’ll just have to make returns.
Get to Know Your Options. With so many shopping sites available online, you cannot jump in blind. Spend some time beforehand navigating which websites carry certain styles and trends that you prefer. This reduces time wasted on sites that do not match your taste. This also makes shopping for specifics easier because you’ll already have an idea where to look.
Set a Limit. Don’t overload your shopping cart with a million different things. Odds are you either A) can’t afford all of it, or B) won’t really wear half of it. So before you start shopping, make a reasonably small list of what you actually want. This will keep your priorities in line, protect your wallet and, most of all, won’t let your wandering eye get the best of you.
Don’t Get Scammed. The Internet can be your best friend or your worst enemy. A majority of online sources are not reliable, and it’s difficult to differentiate one site from another. The second you click search; you are given a plethora of choices: some good, some bad. I typically try to stay on the first page of a Google search; the further you go down the page, the more obscure and less-trustworthy sites generally become.
Read the Return Policies. There might not be a worse feeling in the world than trying to return something you ordered online and then realizing you can’t. Now, not only are you stuck forever burdened by the adorable romper that didn’t fit, but you wasted money! Always read the return policy before you order. This can potentially save you money that could have otherwise been spent on something else (cough, cough new boots?!) down the road.
Here are my three favorite online sites to shop on:
- Nasty Gal is a one-stop shop for everything trendy and cool. They offer a wide selection of the most scandalous stuff that is too good to pass up. Nasty Gal is the place for edgy, going out clothes that are guaranteed to make heads turn.
- Tobi has everything a Collegiette could ever want. From crop tops, rompers, to shorts, they have all the latest college trends that everyone wants to try. Tobi has lots of quirky clothing in bright colors to make you stand out in a sea of black.
- Necessary Clothing is a chain with locations in downtown NYC, but their online store is even better. Not only do they have a massive selection of everything ever, but it’s also affordable. Now you can buy in bulk and not even feel guilty about it! Necessary Clothing is always on top of trends, helping you create that perfect going out look for less.