There’s no need to go into how powerful e-commerce is today. With just a few clicks and a little patience (depending on shipping), your favorite items can arrive right at your doorstep.
But online shopping is a double-edged sword, especially when it comes to quality. There’s no guarantee that what you see is what you get - product images can be retouched, and descriptions may not always reflect reality. If you’re an online shopping addict like me, let's dive into a few tips to avoid that sinking feeling when your package finally arrives! 📦
Avoid Buying Certain Items
Let's skip the basics like socks or underwear - they’re flexible, stretchable, and usually true to size.
What you need to be cautious with are expensive items, like wool coats, full suits, or anything that's pricey enough to make you think twice. These high-ticket items demand a perfect fit, and that's where online shopping can fall short. Avoid relying on the "return" option because buying without trying reflects a lack of savvy.
For suits, fit is everything. A well-fitted cheap suit will always outshine an ill-fitting expensive one. If the shoulders and chest don’t sit right, not even the world’s best tailor can fix it. So unless you’re replacing a suit you already own or have tried it on in-store, resist the urge to buy one online.
Know Your Measurements
If possible, have a tailor or someone who knows their stuff take your measurements - height, chest, waist, sleeve length, neck size, etc. Keep these numbers handy on your phone or in a notebook.
Most brands, like Zara, offer detailed size charts that convert sizes between countries and give specific measurements in centimeters. When you spot something you like, always click on the brand’s Size Guide and cross-check the numbers with your own measurements. For example, if your chest measures between 91-96 cm, you’d likely be a size S in Asos shirts.
Measure Your Clothes
One of the best ways to ensure a great fit is to measure your existing, best-fitting clothes. Lay out your favorite shirt, for instance, and use a measuring tape to record the collar, sleeve length, shoulder width, and total length. This can be a highly accurate way to compare sizes.
Say you’re eyeing a sharp shirt from J Crew but aren’t sure about the size. Grab a tape, measure an existing shirt, and cross-check it against the brand’s size chart.
Models Aren’t Reality
A denim jacket on a model in a lookbook can look like a masterpiece, but don’t be fooled - models are often tall, perfectly proportioned, and dressed in heavily styled outfits.
Who can be sure that when shooting for H&M, there aren’t one or two (or more) clothing clips hidden behind the "sex symbol"?
Behind the scenes at an H&M photoshoot, there’s likely a crew using clips to cinch the clothes for a better fit. They’re making the jacket look tailored and flawless when, in reality, the off-the-rack version might be a boxy mess. Brands will use all the tricks in the book to get you to click “buy now.”
So remember: what looks perfect on a 6-foot model might not look the same on you. Be mindful when scrolling through those perfectly polished lookbook images! 🕶️
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