With today’s online shopping climate, and the vast amount of clothings available via online shopping, it is important that we are prepared for the nuances of buying clothing online. While the options available are exciting, buying clothes online can pose a number of problems. Sizing options, such as specialty sizes, plus sizes, and others can vary depending on websites. Pricing can be difficult to navigate. Even who sources the clothes can be a conundrum. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to effectively navigate online clothing shopping.
Here are 5 tips for buying clothing online.
1. Validate Your eStore
Unfortunately, many eCommerce stores will attempt to resell clothing made by others at higher prices. These sites are easy to find if you merely click on the first advertised link on any clothing search.
There are a number of ways to avoid falling into this trap. First and foremost, it is important that you research whatever online clothing brand you are buying from. This allows you to not only know that the purchase you are making is a trustworthy one, but also allows you to make sure that you are buying from a suitable and trustworthy brand.
Another thing to lookout for is product descriptions. Most trustworthy brands have exact descriptions of their clothing, not elongated, needlessly complex titles. These are warning signs for untrustworthy websites. Make sure that you regularly validate your purchase stores, even if everything looks normal.
2. Know Your Sizes
One of the biggest inconsistencies across online shopping stores is sizing. You may be one size for one brand, and a different size for another. Unfortunately, due to the nature of buying clothing online, you are not able to try on the clothes to see how they fit before you make the purchase. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to make sure you buy the right size.
First and foremost, one of the easiest ways to check your online clothing sizes, is to see if the store you are shopping from has a comparative sizing chart. These charts will show you what size you should get depending on what size you are in another well known brand’s item. Take shopping for shoes for instance. A Nike 10 may fit like an Adidas 9. Knowing this would allow you to make the best purchase based upon what item you already own. If one of these charts or guides is available, use it.
If these are not available, seek out a measurement chart. This will allow you to measure your own dimensions to ensure that you purchase the right size item. While this is not always the quickest way, it ensures that you do not buy an item you have to return or never wear.
Lastly, the comments are your friend. Most eCommerce sites have comment or review sections, and typically these host people describing the sizing. Look for people who say they are what size you typically wear, and see how they describe the fit. Sometimes these comment and review sections even include the height and weight of the reviewer to help you better understand the fit.
3. Know Where Your Clothes Come From
Material and make are two pieces of information that are crucial to purchasing an item of clothing. Not only do you want to purchase high-quality, sustainable material, but you want to purchase clothing that is ethically made. Check an online storefront’s “about” section, see what materials they use. If there is nothing to hide, they should be upfront about it. If you cannot find this information, seek the answers somewhere else.
While higher quality materials, and better manufacturing may cost you a little bit more, these clothes typically last far longer, and do not come with moral questioning alongside your purchase.
4. Would You Buy Again?
A great tip for buying clothing online is to remember where your best experiences are! Just like when you repeat shop at a physical store because you know they are trustworthy and have high quality products, the same goes for the online scene. Make a note of what sites you have purchased quality items from, and what sizes you purchased from them.
Even asking the question, “would I buy again?” when you make a purchase can help you find more success in the online shopping world.
5. Take Your Time
While the impulse buy is even easier when buying clothing online, it is important to take your time. Carefully examine the items you are interested in. Research the company, the material, others’ experience with it. Spend time ensuring that you purchase the right size, and that you are getting the best deal for how much you spend. Rushing through the online purchase process will do you more harm than good, so don’t be afraid to take your time with it.
