Buying beauty products online is relatively easy, but online clothes shopping can be really stressful. Digital fashion stores are can be extremely intimidating, especially for inexperienced shoppers who have always relied on dressing rooms to find that perfect fit. Just as Huffington Post points out that online shopping can be a lifesaver, it can also be problematic.
But if know your body well, this kind of retail therapy doesn’t have to be as scary as some people make it out to be. To make sure you’re getting the most out of your online or in-app clothes purchases, here are a few tips you can keep in mind:
List down all your measurements
The one thing that can really dampen our moods when it comes to shopping is the fit of the clothes. Unfortunately, all fashion brands have a different sizing standards. Even if two brands use US sizes, a Medium from one label can feel like a Small from the brand next door. Most of us can take comfort in the fact that most fashion e-commerce sites have options for free exchanges and returns, such as PrettyMe PH which follows the standard 7-day return policy. However, it is vital that you know your own measurements well to avoid the return process altogether. Find out how you measure in both centimeters and inches on your main areas: bust, waist, hips and inseam. Knowing these numbers will save you a ton of guesswork later. Invest in a measuring tape. It costs only a few pesos, not more than PhP50.
Find a good tailor
Evidently, it’s hard for clothing manufacturers to include all body types and sizes for each piece they produce. Sometimes you’ll find dresses that fit perfectly waist up but sit a little too high on your thighs, or try on jeans that are either too long or flare a little higher on your leg than you had anticipated. It is okay if your purchase ends up being a little too big or a little too long (rather than being too small or short). This is when a trusty tailor comes in handy, as Elle Magazine shares, “A simple inch off the shoulder or a slimmed pant leg can immeasurably boost both the quality of your clothes and how great you feel in them.” Your tailor can also help you in getting your exact measurements!
Refer to sizing apps and websites
Thanks to digital tools like Fitbay and websites like Sizecharter, you have plenty of resources across the web to find out your size for popular clothing brands. All you need to do is plug in your measurements and you’ll find out if you are a Large in H&M or if the Medium from American Eagle runs a bit small.
Hopefully these 3 tips have boosted your confidence in online shopping. Feel free to add your own tips if we have missed any!
Remember, shopping should be a happy experience. Don’t stress about it too much.