I, like any other mother, am totally dependent on Amazon Prime – it is so easy, so convenient and so quick. You can literally within 10 min order kids birthday gifts, Sigma brushes for you (if you haven’t checked out that brand of cosmetic brushes, do), 20 lbs of Epson salt and a new TV. Unfortunately though buying clothes online is much more difficult. First of all, you obviously can’t touch it so it’s hard to tell how soft the fabric is, how sheer it is etc. Secondly, all clothes on the pictures have been styled: there’s the lighting, beautiful model and more often than not the garment has been altered (actually tailored or pinned in or back). Third, something that look good on very tall and very thing model might not translate to your body.
However, we still do it and deal with the frustrations and returns. Here’s how to reduce the stress of online measuring.
Know the brand – usually they use the same fit model so most if not all clothes are accurate to their sizing, meaning that if you bought a Diane von Furstenburg dress in size 6, you can order other clothes from that brand in that size online.
Sweaters and tops are easier to buy fit wise than jeans. You need to go to the store for jeans. You can be size 27 in Paige jeans and 29 in J Brands. You need to pay attention not only to the size of the waist but where do the pockets lay on your butt (anything that goes past your cheeks will visually drag your butt down) and greasing through the leg (the dreaded sausage look).
Know your measurements: one brand’s size 4 is another brand’s size 6. Or 0. Lot of labels use vanity sizing so you really need to know your measurements.
Buy from the list. There are billions of options online, you need to really be organized about what you are looking for. Organize your closet and then make a list of things you need.
Buy from the stores that allow for returns. Keep in mind that final sale items are not returnable. Try the clothes on as soon as they arrive and return items that don’t work promptly.
And tip your UPS guy at Christmas. 🙂
Love
-h
