I was in middle school the first time I tried to shop online. Internet shopping was just becoming a thing. (I think it was 1997? Yikes.) I was, as were most tween gals, obsessed with dELiA*s. Oh man, their clothes/bedding/everything was just the most modern and the coolest! Right? In case you’re wondering, I settled on a very chic lavender flannel duvet with white snowflakes. Obviously.
The first time I experienced online shopping was on their website and I spent hours looking at the amazing collection of dresses, shirts, and everything a 14 year-old gal could ever need. I didn’t fully comprehend what online shopping entailed or how it worked though. I thought that once an item was added to the cart … that was it! As in, thank you for your purchase; your item will arrive soon; we automatically know who to bill and where to send this because the internet is magical and all-knowing.
So, after much deliberation, I tentatively added something to my shopping cart. Oh, did I forget to mention I was at my friend’s house? I seriously thought this epic piece of clothing (I can’t even remember what it was…shorts, maybe?) was going to miraculously appear at her house. Oops! Sorry, girl. Good thing I was 2 cool 2 be 4 gotten.
Fast forward nearly two decades (again, yikes) and I am a bona fide internet shopper extraordinaire. This self-imposed title of grandeur has been earned through years of hard work. However, I think in the last year living in the isolation of Alaska I have become especially proficient at shopping online. Here are the tips I’ve learned about how to shop online effectively with no regrets:
1. Trust your retailer. There’s a reason my go-to store is Nordstrom. Their customer service is impeccable and it is extremely reassuring to know I can return something at any time, not an inconvenient 15 day time period. Even 30 days is cutting it close at times! I know my clothes will be sent packaged appropriately and if there are any issues I can easily call to take care of them. Nordstrom is the best.
2. Know your brand. I stick to a few main brands when shopping online so I am familiar with their sizing and fit. Veering off of this is risky and the reward (i.e., free shipping/returns) needs to be seriously weighed when shopping online.
3. Take measurements for every garment. I used to hate taking measurements. It was a constant reminder that my size was not tiny. However, now I try to realize that my size is what it is and it is better to have well-fitting clothes than ill-fitting clothes, despite the number on the tag. Each brand measures differently so I take these measurements frequently. (PS Do hips ever go back after having a baby??)
4. Weigh shipping vs necessity. When I have to pay for shipping, either to me or in case of return, I seriously contemplate if I want something. Am I cheap? I don’t think so, I just hate spending money on that little extra. Or, since moving to Alaska, a very large extra. Unless I am desperate for an item ASAP, I usually wait for a free shipping promotion or find it at another retailer that does offer free shipping (e.g., Nordstrom).
5. Take your time. I totally understand that sites like Rue La La and Gilt Group are tempting. The sales, the countdown until it’s gone forever, the rush! I have participated in my fair share of these shopping pitfalls in the past. (There is a weird/gorgeous Missoni dress in my closet from 2012 that has still never been worn.) Now, I rarely look at these sites because I usually buy something I regret. Unless it is something you were already looking at/planning to buy, do not fall victim to the flash sale mentality.
6. Visualize your body in each item, not just your face on the model’s body. Sometimes (all the time?) I fall in love with a look because it looks so amazing/cool/glamorous/chic on the model. I think I need it immediately. Sometimes, I buy it immediately. Then, I return it immediately. The common thread when that happens is I am not actually picturing myself in the item, I am picturing the model. Kudos to their marketing team, but not kudos to my closet. Know what your body looks like and think about you in that outfit rather than the model.
7. If it’s final sale, really examine your closet. Seriously, go look in your closet and tell me you have nothing similar. Be 100% certain of the fit, material, brand, and cost. There’s no going back.
8. Don’t buy multiples. Somewhere along the way, I read to buy multiples of something if you find a style you love. Well, that resulted in 4 x $98 looong cardigans in my sister’s closet in 2003. The style was out in 2004. It was unfortunate for her wardrobe and bank account. I learned to buy one, maybe two, items if something fits well and is classic but do not go overboard. Even if something is considered timeless, too many of them in your closet will turn them irrelevant.
9. Know your real life. It’s easy to sit in bed late at night with a glass of wine in hand, scrolling through perfectly curated looks online. It’s easy to get caught up in the life these looks sell, which typically seem infinitely more glamorous and fulfilling than the one we are living. I get it. This is when it is important to remember the life you live and if an item is realistic. For example, since I moved to Alaska, buying new heels is not realistic. They are worn twice/year maximum. It is the cold hard truth of living here, therefore I sadly do not buy heels anymore. I make do with the heels of my past life and know that one day I can purchase new pairs. Until then, I will put that money towards killer boots, coats, and sweaters. That is my real life wear.
10. Keep a list of your needs and wants. It’s important to keep an updated list of what you are missing in your closet and what you wear frequently. This helps me maintain an idea of what I actually need, rather than mindlessly buying items that are “cute” yet perhaps unnecessary.
11. Keep items in your online shopping cart. This is the best way to know if something goes on sale. I often score things for cheaper because there is a random sale happening that I wouldn’t otherwise know of. I purchased this purse when it was (mistakenly?) on sale for 50% off only to return to full price the very next day. Score big!
12. Plan in advance. The hardest aspect of solely shopping online since moving to Alaska is the need to plan everything in advance. I am no longer able to run out the day of a party/event/trip and pick up a few necessities. Everything has to be planned meticulously in advance in order to allow time for shipping and possibly exchanging. It is both ludicrous yet calming, because as something grows near I am not stressed for time to run last minute errands. Planning in advance also helps save on exorbitant overnight shipping fees!
These twelve steps help keep my online shopping habit in check. What are your tips for shopping online without regrets?
