You want it, you need it and you've got to have it. The only problem is, it's a picture on a computer screen and you can't actually touch it. Still, that perfect shirt is just begging to come join your clothing family. This is just one of many reasons online clothes shopping can be both an exciting and frustrating experience.
Most people feel comfortable shopping online for a DVD, but they grow uneasy when it comes to shopping online for clothing. Though it can be difficult to choose the right pants without going into a dressing room, difficult doesn't mean impossible.
Measurements
There is no mandatory standard for clothing sizes; each manufacturer creates their own guidelines. A size eight from one jean designer can be much smaller than a size eight from another. So you need to keep some specific information in mind when shopping online for your wardrobe.
Knowing just your size is not enough if you can't try the item on. You need to know your exact measurements when shopping online. For accurate results, enlist the help of a friend. They can take measurements with greater ease than you can by yourself.
Never suck in your stomach or stand too straight when taking measurements for online shopping. We all have that basic reflex of wanting to appear taller and thinner, especially with someone measuring.
The problem is, most people do not stand straight and suck in their stomach all day. Any clothing bought while shopping online with these "false" measurements will be uncomfortable and ill-fitting. So use a natural stance and breathe normally.
Shopping for You
Online clothes shopping can supply you with endless selections, which can make it tempting to buy clothing you wouldn't normally wear. But, if orange looks terrible on you, it'll look just as bad in a shirt from an online store as it would in one from a local store. Stick to your own personal color scheme, keeping in mind which hues look good and which hues make you look sickly.
Don't be fooled by pictures. Cut and style follow the same rules as color. The photos you see shopping online may make a turtleneck look chic and comfortable, but, if turtlenecks make you itchy or make you feel like you're choking, the results will be the same.
Since a photograph is the only way to know what the item looks like with online shopping, pay close attention to details. Always examine the picture completely. Many online shopping sites have zoom-in photos of the clothing and alternate photos of the front, back or sides.
Paying attention to the picture helps you determine if the item has any particular aspects you generally love or hate in clothing. Noticing that annoying front pleat now, instead of after you've paid for the garment, will save you time and energy.
An easy way to make sure clothing will fit when shopping online is to stick with brands you know and trust. If a particular jean label always looks dynamite on you in a certain style and size, you have a better chance at finding a good fit.
Sticking to brand names in online shopping is also a reliable way to estimate the item's quality, longevity and consistency. The measurements, materials and style the specific brand has chosen for a dress will be the same for that brand no matter where it's purchased.
Online Shopping and Returns
Even the most cautious shopper can end up with purchases they don't want, purchases that don't fit or purchases that they didn't even order. However, with online shopping there's no way to drop by the store and quickly return the problem product.
Remember to check the return policy on any site you shop with. Some require specific information, some will only accept returns for site credit, and some refuse returns altogether. When shopping online, always pay attention to that fine print.
Make sure to keep any receipts from online shopping, as they may be needed to ensure the return is accepted. Copy and save any e-mails between you and the site; they can be helpful if you have questions or problems.
If you plan on sending the item back to the company, always make sure to get a receipt from the post office or ask that the item require a signature. This way you can prove you sent the item back, and the clothing can be tracked. Then nobody can claim the package just mysteriously went missing.
Have plenty of patience when trying to return clothing after shopping online. Some less-than-upstanding companies will try to frustrate customers out of returning products. Delayed e-mail responses, broken links and constantly switching you from representative to representative are all common tactics.
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