Buying clothes online can be a challenge, but it’s also got some major advantages. For one, you don’t have to physically go to the store. You won’t have to lug your purchases around, and you’re less likely to get distracted by some of the other clothes on the rack. However, that doesn’t mean it’s easy. If you want to shop for women’s clothing online and find pieces that fit, follow these tips.
Check Size Charts
Since you can’t physically try on the pieces you’re ordering, make sure to pay attention to the size charts on the website. Most clothing retailers will list sizes and their corresponding measurements. Take note of these before you commit to making a purchase.
Size charts will often tell give chest, waist, and hip measurements for your size. Make sure that the clothing will fit. If there isn’t a size that matches your exact measurements (and we doubt there is), make sure to purchase the next size up to avoid buying clothing that’s too small.
Take Your Measurements
While we’re on the subject, make sure that you know your measurements. Use a flexible fabric tape measure to take accurate measurements. Wrap it around the widest point of your bust, your waist, and your hips. Write those numbers down so you can reference them when you’re shopping for clothing online. You can also measure the length of your arms, around your shoulders, and the length of your legs for accurate sizing.
Research Specifications
The list of specifications that is available on any product page is extremely important. If you’re unsure about the materials, you should do your research to find out everything you can about them. You can’t physically touch the clothing, so it’s hard to gauge how it feels by looking at it. Some research can tell you how the fabric feels so that you don’t get a coarse, itchy sweater instead of a soft one.
Don’t Get Stuck on Color
Specific colors are never accurate when you’re ordering online. Companies try to get very close to an accurate image of the product so that you can determine if you’ll like it. However, different screens display colors differently. The raspberry dress you love could turn out to be a little pinker than you’d expect, all due to the way your computer monitor or phone screen works.
Remember to be open to receiving a color that’s not 100% accurate, and keep your expectations reasonable. Of course, massive color changes should be addressed. You can always send the clothing back if it doesn’t meet your expectations.
Know Return Policies
Each online retailer has its own set of return policies. Before you complete an order, make sure to read all of the information available about a return policy. Even with meticulous planning, it’s easy to make a mistake when ordering clothing online. If you think you might want to return something in the future, keep the company’s return policy in mind.
Know Your Preferences
Different retailers have different size measurements. Keep track of every company you order clothing from. Note the sizes you purchased and whether they fit you well. This way, you can refer to this list when you need to order again.
Double-Check Your Cart
Online shopping makes it extremely easy to purchase things impulsively, purchase more than you mean to, or forget to empty your cart before you check out. Before you even progress to the payment step, make sure that you double-check your cart. Triple-check it if you have to. You don’t want to end up with a pile of things you didn’t mean to order.
Read Customer Reviews
Customer reviews are a great source of honest information about the clothing. Other customers will usually tell you if there’s something wrong with the order they received. If not, there will be a ton of glowing reviews. Either way, it’s important to read the reviews and understand how others feel about the retailer.
Conclusion
It can be difficult to shop for women’s clothes online. It’s impossible to know if the color is right if you’ll like the fabric, and what size works best for you. Using the tips above can help you overcome some of those issues. Ordering online is a little less overwhelming when you know how to do it