What You Need To Know About Buying Clothes Online

With a computer in almost every house in the country, it’s not surprising that people are using their computers for more and more these days, from watching television shows to chatting with friends on Skype to buying clothes online. Thanks to the proliferation of online shopping sites, there’s a lot of choice and consumers can often get the same clothes they see on the high street online for much better prices, but when shopping online, you need to be cautious and there are a few things you should check before making your purchase.

Get Your Sizes Right
First and foremost, you can’t try on clothes you see online, so it’s important to know your measurements. Break out the measuring tape and be honest about what it reads. You don’t have to publish your measurements on your Facebook, but you do want to choose clothing that’s the right size for you to avoid disappointment when you try them on for the first time.
Can It Be Returned?
Most online shopping sites have a returns policy, allowing you to send back items if they’re the wrong size, in any way damaged or if you simply don’t like them. Before clicking ‘buy’, you should read the site’s returns policy just so there are no nasty surprises down the line. Some sites will allow you to exchange an item you return for another while others will give you a cash refund. Either way, it’s best to know what to expect.
Trust and Security
As you will presumably be using your credit card details to make your purchase, you should shop on sites you know and trust. If you want to buy something on a site you haven’t heard of before, do a quick background check on Google to find out about other people’s experiences with the site.
Postage and Packaging
Most online shopping sites will charge a certain amount for postage and packaging. This fee will vary from site to site and will also depend on the size and weight of the item you’re ordering. If you live in a different country, you will have to pay more for international postage. Find out how much postage and packaging will cost you to make sure that the item is worth the extra money.
Mailing List Promotions
Finally, it’s worth signing up to your favourite online shopping sites’ mailing lists as many of them have one-day sales or special offers that you won’t know about otherwise.
Online shopping is wonderful as it allows people to buy the clothes they want, regardless of where they live, so a woman living in a small town in the Scottish Highlands can stock her wardrobe with clothes from New York vintage stores if she wishes – and vice versa!
This article was written by fashion blogger Maggie Burke who loves to buy clothes online.