Online shopping. What are our thoughts? I for one am a fan. I like the variety and the value. Things I don’t like: apprehension over size/fit, long waits for delivery and the boohoo-dot-com whisper that is constantly stuck in my head.
Online shopping can vary from the bizarre world of ebay to the high end, highly desirable Net-A-Porter and everything inbetween. In this post I’m going to recommend some of the sites that I like to use and point out some items that I’ve put in my virtual shopping cart, removed, re-put in, removed and since re-put in spotted. I’ll also talk a little bit about some tips and tricks that I’ve picked up on online shopping that might come in handy.
I think it’s worth pointing out at this stage that I’m extremely aware of how important it is to shop locally and I’ll follow this post up with a piece on some great Irish shops and designers.
Mailing lists
I get it, mailing lists are a pain! But, if you have the patience to weed through the good, the bad and the annoying, there are genuine bargains and discount codes to be had. If mailing lists are not your thing, I’d recommend subscribing to bloggers who bring their ‘A Game’ when it comes to discount codes. Pippa O’ Connor is great for this kind of thing! Her posts cut out a lot of the hard work – she is always posting about offers and deals and I’m a big fan of her style!
Payment
I’d recommend setting up a Paypal account. It’s free, secure and simple. Once you’ve set one up you won’t have to fill in your billing details every time you make a purchase, making things easy, quicker and safer…sometimes a little too easy, quick and safe but that’s where empty bank account self-control comes into play.
Sizing
The one thing I have yet to buy online is shoes! I just can’t come to terms with buying shoes without trying them on. I generally find that I can ascertain whether an item of clothing will fit me or not by the measurements given and the reviews. I actually shop with a measuring tape – yes I mean business! Most places will give you bust, length, arm details etc. I mention the reviews because I find them invaluable. When it comes to sizing, like on the high street, different sites can run big or small. The reviews will often tell you whether you should size up/down as well as let you know about any flaws etc.
Where to start
For your maiden voyage I would recommend somewhere like ASOS. The site is huge so you’re definitely going to find what you’re looking for. If you don’t necessarily have something particular in mind and are overwhelmed by the vast selection it’s always handy to have a look at the personal stylists’ page. There are a number of stylists with a different looks/tastes and that’s always one of my first ports of call. Delivery with ASOS is free once you spend over €25, otherwise it’s €3.
Youtube/Bloggers
Youtubers and bloggers can be really helpful when it comes to online shopping. Lookbooks and hauls often give you an idea of what clothes look like on. People who I love on Youtube include idressmyself, The Little Magpie, TarMar and BeautyCrush. Vloggers do a lot of online shopping and they are also sent items by companies which they review. I’m not sure how unbiased these reviews are but they do give you the chance to see the clothes on.
Other bloggers who never fail to provide inspiration include the amazing Gary Pepper Girl (HER CLOTHES!! Mostly out of my price range but she does wear ASOS and ZARA bits too…sigh), the devine OP, and Shay Mitchell (who you might know from ‘Pretty Little Liars’).
Delivery to apartments
If, like me, you live in an apartment you might worry about getting parcels delivered. It’s worth looking at Parcel Motel which are located across the country. It’s a really simple process and can even help cut delivery costs (if buying form a website with free delivery within the UK). Basically you sign up for an account and then when paying for your goods you provide the Parcel Motel address as your delivery address. You then get a code via text from Parcel Motel and you can collect your item at your leisure…simples.
So now that you’re armed with a few (what I hope are helpful) tips, why not place an order? Be aware that some sites may have a cut-off if you want to receive your delivery before Christmas. See below some of my picks, click pic to get to page. Enjoy!
Other sites to check out – chicnova, chicwish, Sheinside, Folkster, PepperMayo, Romwe and Choies.
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