How To Shop For The Right Clothes Online

Since Lauren was born, I had not gone shopping for clothes at the mall for longer than an hour. Even when I have my me-time, I feel guilty for leaving the kids at home. Then I tried bringing the kids along, and anyone who’s a mom would know, shopping and young kids just don’t gel.

So I turned to online shopping. Shopping for clothes online can be tricky though. At times, the clothes that arrive at my doorstep look nothing like what I see on the website. After my fair shares of hits and misses, I’ve learnt a few things to look out for when shopping for clothes online:

Know What Suits You

When shopping for clothes online, it is best with stick to your tried and tested styles. This is no time to be adventurous and buy a plunging neck line if you don’t usually buy said style. Another option is to try a similar style in store and purchase it online because of the amazing deal that saves you money.

Read description carefully

Screenshot taken from River Island

Speaking of purchasing a similar item you’ve seen in store, don’t assume it is the same just by looking at the photo. Sometimes the print and colour may look similar, it is often not the same. Read the description, fabric composition, washing details carefully.

Know Your Own Measurements

My vital statistics has certainly gone yo-yo for the past few years of pregnancy, giving birth and breastfeeding. You know, bigger breasts, thicker waist and losing it all again. So it is important to keep my measurements up to date. When unsure, I always whip out the measuring tape.

How to measure: Measure around the widest part of your bust, the narrowest part of your natural waist, and the widest part of your hips. Wear your usual bra while doing this. Keep the tape taut and parallel to the floor – how tight to pull it is up to you, but you’ll generally get the most flattering size results if you pull the tape as tight as you’d like your clothes to fit. For difficult to reach areas like inseams or bust, get your partner to measure for you. It could turn into something sexy *wink*.

Take note of the model’s stats and pose

A dress that ends knee length on the model may reach your ankle. Okay, that is an exaggeration but you get my point. A good site usually include the model statistics, so you can have an idea how an apparel may look compared to your own measurements.

Also, I’m extra careful when the model have the above poses. From experience, yours truly had done a few catalogue shoots in her former life, these poses are needed for those not-so-flattering apparel. Notice how the hands are hiding the waist or covering one side to create a thinner waistlines. Anyway, in this case, see if they have other photos showing the other angles of the apparel, just to be sure.

Check out the sizing charts

One designer’s ‘medium’ could be another designer’s ‘small’. Many vendors purposely change sizes around to trick people into thinking they’re smaller than they actually are to make them feel good. It is termed “vanity sizes“. Once you have your own measurement, it is easy to find yourself on it and go from there.

This is especially important when you shop online from retailers like Zalora, ASOS and Net-A-Porter because they carry different labels and designers. Keep in mind that the size chart for one item may not apply to everything. Look for a site-wide chart, but even if you find one, check for sizing notes on the items you’re thinking about buying.

Reviews are your best friend

Do look for customer’s review too, if they are available. They often let you know if an item is cut small or large, colours accuracy and if the item falls apart after a couple of washes.

There you have it. Besides looking at the site’s return policy, I usually look at these before making my purchase of each apparel. So far, I’ve bought lots of dresses, playsuits, lingerie, tops, bags and even shoes, but never pants. Can someone tell me the secret of buying shorts or pants online?

PS: Have you tried reverse shampoo?

Pin4

Share3

7 Shares

14 Comments

Bismah Abdelgawad on 23/12/2014 at 8:15 AM

My favorite part about online shopping for clothes are the deals, especially between seasons! I have found that purchasing shorts or pants online can be a hit or miss in terms of getting the correct sizes.

Somerset Spa Lover on 10/07/2015 at 4:15 PM

Thanks so much for this! You wouldn't believe the amount of times I've ordered something and I've received it and it's been incorrect! Now I can avoid that.

Somerset Spa Lover on 10/07/2015 at 4:15 PM

Thanks so much for this! You wouldn't believe the amount of times I've ordered something and I've received it and it's been incorrect! Now I can avoid that.

Michelle Hon on 10/07/2015 at 4:19 PM

I totally understand. I have many purchases from the early days still sitting in my closet because of wrong style and sizing too. Hope your future orders works out well!

Michelle Hon on 10/07/2015 at 4:19 PM

I totally understand. I have many purchases from the early days still sitting in my closet because of wrong style and sizing too. Hope your future orders works out well!

Michelle on 01/05/2016 at 6:36 PM

I totally understand. I have many purchases from the early days still sitting in my closet because of wrong style and sizing too. Hope your future orders works out well!

Phoebe Lau on 02/05/2016 at 6:30 PM

I’m bad at looking at the size chart and I feel more secure testing the outfit first before purchasing. Just to avoid making a purchase that I end up feeling bad about.

Phoebe

Pooja Kawatra Gupta on 02/05/2016 at 6:47 PM

Somehow i always feel that doing an online shopping for my clothing is not right how much so ever i try.
Will try with your points now.

Bumble Bee Mum on 02/05/2016 at 7:23 PM

I’m very bad at shopping online for clothes. It’s always more misses than hits. I hear you on vanity sizes. I swear I’m no longer S after giving birth but it seems S sizes usually fit me online. #feelgood #cheapthrill

Shubhada Bhide on 03/05/2016 at 12:34 AM

I am pretty scared to shop clothes online since have wasted quite a few bucks either by choosing wrong size or not getting proper material as I had expected. Good tips! I will try once more next time.

Jacqualine Chan on 03/05/2016 at 9:50 AM

Hi-5! Ever since I discovered the world of Taobao, I hardly shop in brick-and-motar shops (no wonder shopping centers are all empty these days…). Gotta agree that measurements are super important! Also, I think it is a good idea to have a measurement converter on standby too, since some places use centimetres as measurements, while others use inches.

Debs G on 03/05/2016 at 4:25 PM

YES YES YES I love online shopping and I’ve been ‘burned’ more than once by clothes that don’t look exactly right – mostly because I’ve been tricked by fancy model posing!

Ling Ling on 03/05/2016 at 5:08 PM

Tried once online shopping for clothes and got disappointed with the sizes. Feels more sercure trying the clothes before buying. With your post, I’m willing to give online shopping a try again!

Angie.S on 04/05/2016 at 8:52 AM

I buy clothes online for my children mostly as the sizing are more predictable. My favourite brands are GAP, OLD NAVY and POLO RL 😀

Bismah Abdelgawad on 23/12/2014 at 8:15 AM

My favorite part about online shopping for clothes are the deals, especially between seasons! I have found that purchasing shorts or pants online can be a hit or miss in terms of getting the correct sizes.
Somerset Spa Lover on 10/07/2015 at 4:15 PM

Thanks so much for this! You wouldn't believe the amount of times I've ordered something and I've received it and it's been incorrect! Now I can avoid that.
Somerset Spa Lover on 10/07/2015 at 4:15 PM

Thanks so much for this! You wouldn't believe the amount of times I've ordered something and I've received it and it's been incorrect! Now I can avoid that.
Michelle Hon on 10/07/2015 at 4:19 PM

I totally understand. I have many purchases from the early days still sitting in my closet because of wrong style and sizing too. Hope your future orders works out well!
Michelle Hon on 10/07/2015 at 4:19 PM

I totally understand. I have many purchases from the early days still sitting in my closet because of wrong style and sizing too. Hope your future orders works out well!
Michelle on 01/05/2016 at 6:36 PM

I totally understand. I have many purchases from the early days still sitting in my closet because of wrong style and sizing too. Hope your future orders works out well!
Phoebe Lau on 02/05/2016 at 6:30 PM

I’m bad at looking at the size chart and I feel more secure testing the outfit first before purchasing. Just to avoid making a purchase that I end up feeling bad about.

Phoebe
Pooja Kawatra Gupta on 02/05/2016 at 6:47 PM

Somehow i always feel that doing an online shopping for my clothing is not right how much so ever i try.
Will try with your points now.
Bumble Bee Mum on 02/05/2016 at 7:23 PM

I’m very bad at shopping online for clothes. It’s always more misses than hits. I hear you on vanity sizes. I swear I’m no longer S after giving birth but it seems S sizes usually fit me online. #feelgood #cheapthrill
Shubhada Bhide on 03/05/2016 at 12:34 AM

I am pretty scared to shop clothes online since have wasted quite a few bucks either by choosing wrong size or not getting proper material as I had expected. Good tips! I will try once more next time.
Jacqualine Chan on 03/05/2016 at 9:50 AM

Hi-5! Ever since I discovered the world of Taobao, I hardly shop in brick-and-motar shops (no wonder shopping centers are all empty these days…). Gotta agree that measurements are super important! Also, I think it is a good idea to have a measurement converter on standby too, since some places use centimetres as measurements, while others use inches.
Debs G on 03/05/2016 at 4:25 PM

YES YES YES I love online shopping and I’ve been ‘burned’ more than once by clothes that don’t look exactly right – mostly because I’ve been tricked by fancy model posing!
Ling Ling on 03/05/2016 at 5:08 PM

Tried once online shopping for clothes and got disappointed with the sizes. Feels more sercure trying the clothes before buying. With your post, I’m willing to give online shopping a try again!
Angie.S on 04/05/2016 at 8:52 AM

I buy clothes online for my children mostly as the sizing are more predictable. My favourite brands are GAP, OLD NAVY and POLO RL 😀