Online shopping has become the way of the world. According to data hub Statista, more than 121 million of us shop online as our primary means of acquiring new goods. It makes sense. Shopping online can be very convenient—it saves you time and money. From batteries to books to utensils, there’s very little you can’t find on Amazon. Speaking of Amazon, the retail giant has even launched its own series of fashion brands—clothing that’s sold exclusively online. That means you can’t see or feel this product before you decide to buy it. Convenience is great when it comes to household goods, but is it beneficial for new clothes? Though it goes against the industry trend, you’re better served logging off and heading to a store to try things on in-person.
Skip the Pain of Returns
For the convenience and technological advancement of shopping online, brands haven’t figured out a pain-free way to return items that don’t work out. Sure, you can get a new sweater in two days from your favorite retailer. But if it doesn’t fit, you need to submit a request, print out a special label and make a trip to your nearest post office to send it back, or you end up heading to the store anyway! Odds are, if you were shopping online for convenience, you don’t have the time for this return process. When you try clothing on in-person, you skip this headache. If it’s not right for you, you can move on to something else that you’re guaranteed to love and hold onto.
Find the Perfect Fit
Fit is everything. Clothing only works to your advantage when you can see how it fits your body. Every time you place an online order, you’re taking a gamble. There’s a 50/50 chance that what you’ve ordered won’t fit. Why take the chance with your style? Instead, bet big on shopping in-store. You need to feel the clothing and see how it fits you from every angle. If you’re not keen on being pestered by inexperienced sales staff, fear not. Enlist the help of a clothing coach who can help you enhance your style and pick out the best items for your body and aesthetic, – plus one who understand the possibilities and benefits of alterations. Even better a coach can come to you and provide true convenience if that’s your biggest concern. Keep in mind clothing is now made all over the world with companies changing fabrics and manufacturers routinely. I’m sure you have seen, “a medium in this brand, does not always fit the same as a medium in that brand.”
Understand the Quality
When you’ve invested in your wardrobe, quality is essential. You need clothing that’s going to stand the test of time, not waste away after 3 wears. When you shop online, it can be difficult to discern the quality of an item. What looks well-made in a beautifully lit photograph might show up differently stuffed into a shipping box. A lot of companies will now send your online orders to be filled at their brick and mortar locations if it’s more cost effective. These packages are often handled by store associates that are untrained in the proper handling of a package and creates more room for error as sales associates are asked to also become shipping handlers. In-store, you can test the durability of the item. You can pull on it, try it on and read about the fabrication. Be your own quality control. You can spot whether something is cheaply made. Nothing is left up to chance.
Shopping online is undoubtedly quick and easy, but when it comes time to update your wardrobe, there’s too much risk involved. Unless you have worked in-depth with clothing, the guidance of a clothing coach and mentor is essential. Then shopping in person gives you the ultimate chance to find the perfect item, eliminate the margin of error and walk away with something that meets all your needs.