This week’s installment of Ro&Co features very special guest, Anita, who recently started her own blog, DTM! Anita shares her tips to level up your online shopping.
Hi guys! I’m Anita, one third of the DTM Blog. Anyone who knows me, will tell you that I’m constantly online shopping and this summer I will be working for Adidas in their E-Commerce department. So… I guess you can say I know a thing or two about navigating the online store. I’m here to share some tips about getting the most from your online shopping experience, hope you find them helpful!
Why shop online?
A lot of people prefer the in-store shopping experience mainly because you can try things and get what you want instantly. While I agree with this, there are several advantages of looking online for your next purchase. Online retail sites, make it a lot easier to compare prices between multiple websites, find deals and check reviews in a way that can’t be done in a brick-and-mortar store.
Often times, you get a lot more information about the product online than you do in store, as the sales associates don’t always have in depth knowledge about the products. In addition, there are no long checkout lines to deal with, and it’s a lot harder to ignore the price tag and make an impulse buy online, when the price is right there.
Know your body measurements
This is key in making sure you’re buying the right sized clothing, and not being surprised at delivery. I recommend buying a tape measure so you know what your basic body measurements are- waist, hips and chest (this one on Amazon is $2.97 with Prime) then compare with size chart on the website. This makes understanding what your size is in each store so much easier, especially because you can’t try the clothes on and sizes tend to differ from store to store.
Take advantage of filters (price, size, color)
This makes the whole process less time consuming and more focused on what you want to find and what’s available in your size and/or style you like. Take advantage of the specificity of these filters, they are there to make you shopping experience so much easier.
Sign up to mailing lists
But ONLY to stores you will actually shop at, you don’t want your mailbox to be full of retail promotions (like mine lol). This is really helpful in knowing when there are special sales, discounts, and new collections. A lot of stores also offer discounts towards your first order when you sign up to their mailing lists, so you’re also saving money.
Be open to inspiration but know what you’re looking for
These might seem like seemingly opposite things, but this is especially true if you don’t want to spend hours scrolling through products. Online shopping is a chance to explore different styles from different brands from the comfort of your couch; it’s a great way to be inspired so it’s good to be open to new styles and silhouettes you can try. But, there are a lot of products available online and it’s helpful to have some kind of idea of at least what item you’re looking for so it’s easier to narrow down choices.
Download store apps
It’s a quick, easy way to look through items on the go.
Don’t ignore customer reviews
You should always, always, always read a customer reviews when they’re available. They’re an honest insight into the product that you might not be able to get from online pictures. Obviously, they should be taken with a grain of salt because people’s motivations behind writing them can differ greatly, but it’s helpful in figuring out whether an item runs small or large or whether the color is the same as how it looks online.
Follow people with similar styles to you on social media
Social media platforms especially Instagram, have made it really easy for us to find, connect with and follow the styles of different kinds of people. There are celebrities, bloggers, stylists and even regular people that can inspire your style and help you find new stores you really like. Often, these people also share cool deals or special discounts to online stores.
Follow your favorite store’s Instagram
Almost every retail store has an Instagram, and it’s a great way to connect with a brand and learn a little more about their culture and general vibe. It’s also good for style inspiration on how to wear some of their products and how these items look on real people.
Have fun!
Online shopping shouldn’t be a chore! Whether you’re looking to refresh your style or you’re just bored, I hope this tips help make the process a lot easier and less overwhelming.
If you’d like to learn more about me, catch my posts on DTM, and follow us on Instagram @dtmblog.