How to shop online for clothes

Wednesday, 8th of July 2009 (by Quanti)

Photo credit: pandemia

Online shopping has never been easier. Most websites feature large, clear photos of the merchandise and detailed descriptions. In most cases, if you don't like what you've ordered, you can simply return it, and some merchants even offer free returns.

Shopping online for clothes is a bit more challenging, though. Many people feel quite comfortable shopping online for books or electronics, but feel it's not a very good idea to shop online for clothes.

The main challenge: fit. Clothes must fit well to look good, and when you can't try the item on, you're taking a certain risk when ordering it. Those jeans that look so good on the tall, skinny model in the photo may not look so great on your own average-size body.

Buying clothes online can be a great way to save time and money, but you do need to follow these three basic tips to avoid paying excessive shipping costs, and make sure you don't become frustrated because of ordering ill-fitting clothes:

1. Know your size. Take exact measurements of your waist, chest, hips, inseam, and arm length. Most online retailers have "sizing info" tabs on their websites where you can find out which size you should order. You will need these measurements to find the right size.

2. Avoid excessive shipping costs. Many websites offer free shipping if you spend over a certain amount. Take advantage of these offers. If possible, try to find websites that offer free return shipping as well.

3. Get as much information on the item you're buying as you can. Since you can't examine the item physically, you should only order from online retailers that give plenty of information about the items that they offer. For clothes, this means sizing information, detailed descriptions of each product, and high-quality photos. Don't forget washing instructions: most of us are not interested in daily clothes that are not machine-washable.

4. Look for online deals and online discounts. Almost all major retailers have a "sale" tab, where you can look for discounted clothes. If you become a regular customer, you will often receive online discount codes via mail or email. When using cashback sites like Quanti, you can also earn cash back when buying clothes online.

Quanti helps you save money when shopping online by offering a large selection of online deals, voucher codes, and cash back offers.

Posted in Gassing corner

The above information was correct at time of publication