A 2020 Statista survey indicated that 60% of women purchased clothing from online stores. Indeed, there’s a freedom that comes with internet purchases. There’s no waiting in line or tapping your fingers at the till while the cashier calculates your items and bags them. You’re usually spared the agony of trying several items on, hoping that a few will be the right size for you. However, online shopping for clothes can be fraught with issues, which is why you need to know a few things before using these platforms. Here are some of them.
Select reliable shops
According to cybercrew.uk, clothing is the most common item bought online by the UK public. In other words, people find it more convenient to shop for apparel on online platforms than visit physical stores. Due to the interest in these shopping platforms, statistics indicate that between 2018 and 2020, over six thousand online clothing shops had commenced active business. Admittedly, this makes it difficult to choose from the vast selection. Moreover, with such fierce competition, people with purchasing power may be spoilt for choice.
Unfortunately, in such environments, scammers find fertile ground in which to operate. Aside from that, some online shops may see it as an opportunity to sell substandard clothing. Indeed, there are several issues about which you may want to be wary. This is why it pays to select a reliable shop like the Japanese store or others with whom to transact business. One way to find a reliable online shop that sells quality clothing is to research social media. The internet holds a wealth of information, and you’d be thankful to use it to make your final choice(s).
Check the size charts
Because you won’t be trying the clothes on physically before purchasing, it’s recommended to check the size charts first. Usually, online buyers are lured by the attractiveness of these clothes and fail to pay attention to the size charts. In the UK, size charts tend to be different from the ones in the US and other countries. Because of this, it’s important to first know your size and compare it to the item(s) of clothing you intend to purchase online.
To get it right the first time, it’s necessary to measure your bust, waist, hips and torso. If your values fall within a range, you can then compare them to the standard UK size chart. The trick with self-measurements is to avoid tying the tape too tightly around your body. Doing that could give you the wrong size. Moreover, different clothing brands have slight variations in their size charts. However, the values may not be too much to alter your correct size.
Research clothing materials
Have you ever felt drawn to an online clothing item only to be disappointed when it’s finally delivered? Some clothes may look like the best item you ever saw, but the material could be wrong or uncomfortable on your skin. This is one of the reasons you should look into on materials from which these clothes are made. For instance, while some people’s skin reacts to wool, others are irritated by latex. Again, due to technological advancement, some manufacturers make use of experimental fabrics. Indeed, an item of6ty clothing may not be 100% experimental fabric. However, a mixture with regular fabric like polyester could be problematic.
Therefore, to avoid any discomfort, disappointment or inconvenience, it helps to read about the fabric to learn the pros and cons. Moreover, if you’re into being environmentally aware, you may be more interested in sustainable fabrics than those that ‘hurt’ the planet.
Read about their return policy
One of the most disappointing moments is to buy a clothing item from an online store only to realise that it’s unreturnable. In other words, you spent good money on something you’ll never wear. However, you can avoid this if you ensure you read the online store’s return policy. Some businesses may have a seven-day return policy, while others allow just three days.
As long as you fall within that range, you can take advantage of the return policy. Even with that, it may come with conditions. For example, the item has to be returned with all its labels and packaging intact. With certain policies, what you get is a replacement rather than a money-back guarantee. If you’re comfortable with the online store’s return policy, you can proceed to transact business with them.
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