Here are 16 tips on what to look for when buying women's clothing online.
1. Use specific keywords when searching for items: "Talbots Women's Blazer Size 12" will help you find what you're looking for more quickly than simply "Women's Blazer." The more descriptive items you use in your search, the closer the match to what you're looking for.
2. When you find an item you like, check measurements carefully. The easiest way to do this is as follows: Take a similar item that you own that fits well and compare the measurements to the item you're buying. For example, if you're buying a women's blazer, take a blazer you already own that fits correctly and lay it flat on a table. Then just match the measurements from your blazer to the item description of the blazer you're considering purchasing. If there is a significant difference in size, either plan on having the new item altered or pass on the item altogether.
3. Sizes and fit can vary widely depending on brand, so it's always best to take actual tape measurements of the item. A size 12 Talbots may not fit the same as a size 12 Coldwater Creek. So always spend the five minutes it takes checking measurements to avoid the disappointment of getting an item that doesn't fit correctly.
4. Read the item description carefully and look for clues as to item condition. Is the item New with Tags (NWT), gently used, worn once? If these aren't listed in the item description, feel free to contact the seller and ask these questions.
5. Does the item smell of smoke or perfume, or does it smell "old" or musty? Obviously if this isn't explained in the item description, email the seller and ask.
6. Examine the pictures of the item closely. Check pictures of the collar for any wear, fraying or staining. If any of these are present, pass on the item.
7. Examine pictures of the underarm areas for staining, discoloration or tears. If there are no pictures of these areas, email the seller and ask these questions.
8. Check sleeve cuffs for wear, dirt or stains.
9. Check all buttons to make sure they are intact, and not chipped or cracked. Don’t forget to check sleeve buttons. If a button on an item is loose and can easily be repaired with needle and thread, that's not as big an issue as a chipped or cracked button that has to be matched and replaced. Also, check to make sure the buttons are on the correct side of the item. Sometimes buttons are sewn on the wrong side of an item by mistake.
10. Ask if all zippers zip smoothly, easily and remain closed when fully zipped. If there are any snaps, ask if they pull apart and snap close easily. Make sure all snaps are intact and there are no rips.
11. If an item is lined, check for tears and make sure the lining doesn’t hang below the hemline.
12. Stains are usually found on the front of a garment, the result of food being dripped, dropped or splattered. Closely examine the front of the item from top to bottom, looking for even pinpoint-size stains or slight discolorations.
13. If you’re examining pants or skirts, check the hem for wear, dirt, stains or a loose hem.
14. Check the entire garment for holes, rips, fabric pulls, pilling or loose threads. If these can't be determined from the pictures, ask the question in an email to the seller.
15. Check all inner and outer seams to ensure they’re secure.
16. Check the Care Instructions label. Can the item be washed or does it require dry cleaning?
Finding great items at fantastic prices is why we shop online in the first place. And with a little investigation and asking the right questions, you're sure to find some fabulous bargains that will have you looking like a million bucks.
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Copyright 2013 Carolyn Owens Hill. All Rights Reserved.
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