“I’m so frustrated with myself! I feel like I’m constantly shopping but end up with things that I don’t actually like and then I cannot put an outfit together to save my life. I’m no stranger to closet meltdowns!”
“I’m a shopaholic but I still can’t manage to pull together a stylish capsule wardrobe.”
That’s why you’re here. Plus, now that we’re all at home, online shopping has never been more tantalizing or necessary.
Let’s address the elephant in the room. You may not have the cashflow right now to shop at all due to job loss from coronavirus. If that is you, I’m grieving with you. There are still fun ways to “shop”. First of all you could arrange a clothing swap with friends on Facebook. You can shop your closet and get creative by wearing items you haven’t worn in a long time. And you can start building a dream wardrobe on Pinterest!
I firmly believe that fashion can be fun no matter how much money you have.
Elephant #2: Is it safe to shop online?
Yes. It’s actually quite low risk for everyone involved. I’ve read 5 or 6 articles to research this topic. The bottom line is, if you’re worried about transmission simple disinfect the packaging and items inside. Most of the virus has died while in transit. And wash your hands!
So now that we’ve covered two really important concerns, let me share my pro-tips for shopping online.
You want to save time and money shopping for clothes. The way I see it you fall into one of two camps.
So if clothes look good on the model, mannequin, or dressing room but not at home then you will love these tips because they’re going to save you so much time and money in the end.
Create a list ahead of time
In my online community, Simple Style, I teach my members how to create their ideal capsule wardrobe and give them an exact list of items that they need to build it out. It has literally everything you could possibly think of including socks and underwear, umbrellas, and pajamas.
But the idea is that you must have a list of items you want and need for sure so that you’re not tempted to impulse buy.
Use Pinterest to save items that you think you want
Go to a brands website and start searching for things you need like a new winter coat, a leather jacket, a new handbag or whatever else comes to mind.
Pin everything from that brand on board titled “Gap Picks” or “H&M Picks” for example that you can refer back to. It gives you a visual idea of how things will work together and how things might work in your current wardrobe.
You can also create shopping lists within Amazon. Most brands offer some sort of “favorites” if you’re a logged in user. So start saving up your likes on the brand’s website as well by creating a user account.
You can pre-load items in your shopping cart, but some brands will kick you off and delete your items. So make sure you’re pinning exactly what you want and adding it to your cart.
This also helps you get a ball-park idea of how much you might need to spend.
Search for coupons, & discount codes
Apps like:
- Rakuten
- Retail Me Not
- Wikibuy
Smaller brands may not have codes or coupons but will usually offer a 10% off sign-up discount to join their email list.
And if you’re an Amazon Prime member, be sure to check out Prime Wardrobe. It allows you to shop and try on for free for 7 days.
Buy things that you know you can return
So important. The last thing you want is to purchase impulsively and end up being stuck with regret purchases. Even if that happens, don’t fret, you can resell online. Be clear on the shipping costs and return policy and return date. If you’re not clear, call a customer service number.
Buy try on sizes
You have to add into your budget try on sizes if the company does not offer free in-home try-on’s like Amazon. H&M is one of the first companies to offer this feature. You can add your credit card information, load up your cart with multiples of each item, and they will ship to your house for free.
Try everything on for up to 30 days. Return what didn’t work. Get charged for what you kept. Every retailer is different and sizing varies from brand to brand, item to item.
Research sizing, materials, reviews
Make sure you do your research about sizing, materials, and quality before you buy a certain item. What are the reviews of the product? Favorable? Middle of the road? Does it require dry cleaning? Is it a cheap fabric?
Use clothing subscription boxes
Clothing subscription boxes or rentals are a new concept but do offer some benefits. Banana Republic is now offering clothing rental (wow!). I think this is a good option if you want to get comfortable with a new style, branch out, and try things without committing.
Call customer service
Many large brands have excellent customer services hotlines where actual people can help you shop for what you need, make recommendations, and clear up any issues.
Knowing where to shop for certain items, sizes, and specialty footwear can be hard. Personally, I love to shop. It’s the collector and hunter in me. Even if I’m not spending, I just love to look at all the pretty things. As a result, I have a list of brands that is substantial. This list is included in my online style community, Simple Style. And it’s something that I will be turning into a weekly PDF guide for my members. Think of it as a roundup of all the best finds from that week that you get exclusive access to.
You’ll never have to do any of the hunting or spend any of your time shopping because it will be done for you.
Leave a Reply