Among many things, the pandemic has also changed the way we shop. With shopfronts globally shutting down, online shopping has been the easiest way to get everything – ranging from grocery shopping to furniture and everything in between. In some ways, online shopping is incredibly convenient. From the comfort of your couch, you can sit back and order just about everything you could need and have it delivered in a few days or even hours at your doorstep.
However, it has its drawbacks. If you’ve tried online shopping for clothes, you’ll know precisely what we mean. It can be challenging to find your size, figure out what the garment will look like on you, and see what the material is like when you’re shopping through a screen. If you don’t know how to buy clothes online, you’ll end up with a lousy fit and a good amount of dollars down the drain each time. To make the process easier, we’ve put together some tips. These include:
Don’t opt for form-fitting clothes
Shopping online can already be hard enough without having the added hassle of shopping for form-fitting clothes. Skinny jeans, bodycon dresses, and figure-hugging tops look pretty cute, but the best way to shop for them isn’t online. Without trying them on, you can’t imagine how they’ll sit on your body. Additionally, if you’re off by even a fraction of an inch, you’ll end up with clothes that are either too fitting or baggy.
Instead, opt for looser, flowy clothing when shopping online if you’re unsure about how to get the perfect fit. If you’re a plus-sized woman, you’ll want to pay close attention to what you’re shopping for online. Midi dresses are the ideal category to start if you want the perfect fit every time you order from your favorite store. These dresses are comfortable, chic, and incredibly flattering. Women’s plus sized dresses are perfect for various occasions since they can accentuate your curves perfectly without making your silhouette seem unbalanced.
Perfect your measurements
Another challenge people often face when shopping for clothes online is that they can’t seem to get their own body measurements right. Most brands have different measurements for small, medium, and large sizes, and it can be tricky to find out what box you fit into. An easy way to work around this issue is by getting your measurements perfect.
There are a few areas you’ll want to pay close attention to, and you might need to enlist help. Ensure you get the perfect numbers around your bust, waist, hips, thighs, and inseam. These deets will help you figure out how the clothes will sit on your body. When measuring your body, maintain a natural form. Many of us are inclined to suck in our stomachs or stand up taller while using a measuring tape. Doing so, however, will only distort the results and give you clothes that don’t fit well. So never cinch your belly in purposefully and only measure with heels if you intend to buy something that falls to the floor and beyond.
Check the reviews
Shopping online can seem like a gamble, especially if it’s your first time. The products can seem high-quality and versatile in pictures, but you have no way of seeing what they’re like in real life until after you’ve paid for them. If you’d rather avoid the guesswork, an easy way to assess the quality is by checking the reviews. Reviews can reveal a handful about a brand and its products. You can find out whether they offer a reliable exchange or refund policy, which can be immensely helpful when shopping online.
Furthermore, some websites allow clients to post reviews of clothes they’ve purchased. This policy will enable you to see picture reviews, showing you how the clothes fit, what the sizes are like, and what the material is like. Checking the reviews can make online shopping seem much more reliable, as you get honest feedback from real customers.
Compare your best-fitting clothes
We all have that one pair of jeans or shirt that fit us unlike anything else. When shopping online, it’s best to keep comparing the sizing charts to the measurements of these pieces to ensure you order the perfect fit. Over the years, sizing charts have evolved immensely, with vanity sizing making it harder for clients to get the ideal fit. Sizing charts may not be entirely accurate most of the time, and the only way to get the best fit is by comparing the measurements to clothes that fit you perfectly.
If you’re shopping for shirts, measure the bust, shoulders, waistline, and other areas. Similarly, if you’re shopping for pants, you need to measure the length, inseam, waist, hips, and girth. Although you might not find the exact measurements, you can get the closest fit. You can use this tip even when shopping in person because comparing it to your favorite clothes can give you a fit that suits you the best.
Try some AR
Some of us can’t decide what to shop for until we see what the outfit will look like once we put it on. If this sounds like you, you might benefit from some augmented reality. The pandemic has completely revamped shopping, and augmented reality is one of the latest breakthroughs. AR allows you to try on clothing items virtually, so you can assess what they’d look like. This technology has more profound benefits for in-person shopping, but it still helps online shoppers.
Most clothing brands have apps or websites that allow you to use your camera to see what the clothes will look like in real life. With AR, you can try on anything, ranging from dresses to tops, bottoms, shoes, and accessories. Once you’ve put together your dream outfit using AR, you can start adding things to your cart and move to check out!
Conclusion
Shopping in person has its charm, but online shopping has immense benefits too. You can browse through entire catalogs without having to step foot outside and have your favorite clothes delivered straight to your doorstep. With these steps, you can ensure you get the perfect fit every time you shop online. Once you get the ideal measurements and shop for the right products from the right brands, you can eliminate the guesswork almost entirely.