Online retailing is becoming increasingly popular with 61% of the UK’s population having already made their first online purchase. Electronics and media are traditionally best sellers but clothing is catching up quickly. Although we can’t feel the fabrics or try on the clothes, we might just be able to save a fortune or pickup something that little bit extra special. With that in mind here are 5 tips for buying clothes online:
1) Measure Up
Find a tape measure and maybe even a friend to help measure your chest/bust, waist, hips, arm length and inseam. If you want a quick way of finding these measurements find some clothes that fit you well and measure them instead.
Sizes will vary across the board, there are general guidelines in fashion but different brands will vary wildly. Instead of looking for S, M or L look for sizes in inches and centimetres.
2) Screens Vary Wildly
Computer screens vary wildly when it comes to displaying colours, so the image you’re seeing on screen may vary slightly to what is delivered. Clothing colours may also be different from one dye lot to the next.
3) Shipping Charges
Don’t underestimate shipping charges as they can mount up quickly if you’re buying lots of single items. If you want to save try buying multiple items from the same vendor or look out for merchants that deliver for free.
4) Return and Exchange Policy
Almost all online retailers will allow you to return clothes within a certain timeframe. Check their terms and conditions / policy pages so you know how long you have or if you’ll be liable for additional shipping costs.
5) Check Out Online Reviews
If you’re making your first order with any online retailer make sure you google their name first. You’ll be able to see what previous customers experiences have been, if shipping is on time or if the retailers customer service just isn’t up to scratch.