Another K/R, and frustrations of online shopping - YouLookFab Forum

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Another K/R, and frustrations of online shopping

Daria

Hello dear fabbers (and sorry for such a long post!),
I'm currently in the process of rebuilding my wardrobe after neglecting it since I started having kids several years ago. I work in an extremely casual office (and I'm a "back-end" computer scientist so don't have to deal with clients all that often), so I mostly need casual/smart casual pieces, with possibly some business casual thrown in the mix.
It started off well with me writing down my major "wardrobe holes" and then ordering a few pieces online. One of the (not so great) results of this experiments is pictured below.
White pair of Kuts skinnies is what I'm wearing in photo 1 (one of my wardrobe wishes is a pair of white jeans). I got size 2 and they are *slightly* too big, mostly in the waist and tummy area. They might look fine visually but I feel like I need to pull them up all the time.
I was almost sure 0 would be too small but decided to try regardless. I'm wearing size 0 charcoal pair of the same Kuts in photos 2,3 (size 0 was not available in white or in any light color). They do fit but I wonder if they look too tight (and of course charcoal jeans was not what I was after..)
Now on to the biggest frustration - BR cropped sweater that I'm wearing in all three photos. First of all, the quality is disappointing and I would be returning it even if the fit was perfect. It feels extremely cheap and is about to start peeling. Second - I was curious to try cropped slouchy sweater look but wonder whether it's my cup of tea.. I think it makes me look large at the top (I'm not) and it's especially obvious with the dark bottoms. What do you ladies think?
So overall a failure. I should probably leave my precious children for a couple of hours on a weekend and do some "real" shopping. Sigh..

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Shopping

19 replies

Latest reply was from Daria

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

It does get tedious and frustrating, doesn't it? For me it helps to just accept it as part of the process, that it's highly unlikely that you won't have to return anything. In fact, I regularly order multiple sizes (esp. from places that have free shipping or free shipping when you order over a certain amount) and return what doesn't work. I'll have a little extra money tied up in my cc because of it, but it means I don't have to go through multiple order/return cycles.

We've discussed it here before, but I don't remember what everyone's typical rate of return was on average. Mine is probably somewhere between a third and a half - which is a lot!

From the pics, I wonder if the issue with the sweatshirt is that it's not actually cropped on you? From what I understand, the cropped sweatshirts are supposed to hit above the natural waist and yours is about on it. Is it a petite? You've obviously got a small frame so that might be the way you have to go. I like the colors of everything on you, though!

Liz

Veteran

Are you in a metro area where you can hit a store on your lunch hour or swing by for a quick half hour try-on session after work? You could gather an armload to quickly try on and photograph, then order the right color and size later, if you decided to buy.

Otherwise, like Laura, I just plan on ordering multiple sizes and returning.

Susie

Veteran

Last month I ordered 7 clothing items and 2 pairs of shoes and ended up returning every single item so I understand your frustration.
Is the cropped sweater maybe a bit too long for you? And what do you mean by peeling?

The KUT skinnies tend to run a bit big. I can't really see a big difference between the 2 sizes but maybe it's just not the best cut for you.

gardenchick

Veteran

Yup, hear you!
I'm not that into spending the time in stores (nor do I really have the time). Recently ordered a sweater from AT in one size, then the next--the color was great but the fit did not work, both went back.
Similarly ordered leggings from Nordstrom that went back, and two sizes of cords--I ended up keeping one size.
So 1 out of 5 items ordered online was a keeper. Definitely better to use the stores that have free shipping, although even sending stuff back can take a trip to the post office.

Daria

Thanks ladies, glad to hear that I'm not the only one so frustrated with online shopping. My current rate of return is definitely above 50%..
I agree that the sweater might be too long (Laura - I'm 5.6 so not petite but definitely not as tall as BR models!). It *could* actually look better with a longer shirt underneath, but due to quality issues I didn't want to bother.
Overall my conclusion is that online shopping requires lots of patience and determination.

Gaylene

Veteran

Have you considered getting the waist nipped in on the white jeans? It's a common alteration and one that my sister does regularly when jeans fit nicely in the hip but are too loose in the waist. That way, she can wear her jeans without a belt and not have to constantly be tugging them up.

Peri

Veteran

I do this too, but frankly find it less frustrating than B&M shopping.

Consider this: If I take 5 items into a dressing room I feel very lucky if I like one of them enough to buy. So the "success" rate is not higher at the mall, you just don't go through the buying and returning.

Then consider gas and time for shopping. A lot of the time I feel shipping fees are not any worse than that.

This is for someone who doesn't like shopping. Others who like it would feel differently. I think it takes a mix of both types of shopping, and just putting up with the pros and cons of each.

rachylou

Veteran

The jeans don't look at all too tight in the size 0. The sweater... don't give up on slouchy yet: this isn't slouchy.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Peri, great point. When I'm trying on pants/jeans in person, I'm delighted if one pair in ten fits me. So an average 50% return rate isn't that bad, and you get to try everything on in the privacy of your own home.

Once you know how certain brands work for your body, you get a lot better at judging this stuff and knowing what to bother with ordering.

Daria

Peri, I do agree with you. Moreover, while shopping online you can filter by color, size etc, thus eliminating visual "noise".
The only point - in B&M stores you can actually touch the garment, thus eliminating those that are obviously poor quality. E.g. I wouldn't even bother trying on the BR sweater had I seen it in a real store.

Dimity

You can make so many more decisions quickly when you're in a store trying on and touching and feeling the fabrics. It might be easier to do as you suggest and get someone to take care of the kids for a few hours so you can spend the time efficiently trying things and rejecting immediately the things that don't work.

K.M.

Veteran

I'm a big fan of the convenience of online shopping (I totally agree with Peri's point about the cost of driving, parking, etc). However, I find that once in a while (maybe twice a year?...) I need to go to a store to try things on. This is because, with changing trends in cuts (even subtle changes), what used to fit me no longer does, or I don't have an idea of how new cuts will fit. And as my body changes this is also helpful. So it's like an update on my sense of fits and trends and my body, and then I can go back to online shopping.

PS. I used to relish the process of picking and trying on things at a store for sport (often not buying anything) until I became a mom and my time became ever more precious and scarce. It used to be a fun way to pass time, but now, I don't have time to pass, and if I do, it probably isn't at the mall. And now when I do it, it feels a bit like a guilty pleasure.

annabelle

Veteran

I'm a huge fan of online shopping, with free shipping both ways. (Shopbop, Asos, Yoox (if you take store credit), Revolve, Nordstrom, Zappos). I shop for my whole family this way. I simply expect on Saturday morning, I will be packing up some returns and bringing them to the local "mail it" place. It's a 30 minute process, including the drive. The fact that I have made the returns part of my weekly routine has made it less onerous, and I remind myself that buying online helps me avoid driving downtown, finding and paying for parking, experiencing pressure to buy (which I feel, even with the most unobtrusive sales staff; it's not "them," it's "me")

I like your outfits, a lot; they are very cute. Have you thought about a cropped sweater instead of sweatshirt? They are more likely to be unbanded at the bottom, for a different silhouette that might absolve the issues you're trying to overcome with this BR sweatshirt. Cropped sweaters will have a little more dressed up go to work vibe, but not overdressed for casual work environment, by any means.

AM

Veteran

Feeling lost. What is K/R?

Daria

Thanks again for the comments and suggestions. I actually buy almost everything online, including clothes for kids and husband, yet somehow with my own wardrobe I'm not very successful (pants are especially tricky).
Annabelle - I'm not going to give up on cropped sweater look because as you pointed out it's a great option for casual office wear.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

I hate returning items via mail, and just spent seventy dollars having four pairs of shoes shipped to me without any of them working out.
That said, I have larger feet, and stores often run out of 9-11. In order to get to the stores, I need to spend more than 1h each way, plus the time in the stores, plus the transportation cost.
I consider returns to the post office the better alternative, and remind myself that despite the recent non-refundable shipping expenses, it's still better than driving and parking.

Daria

AM - it means keep/return. Although my particular topic is more of a rant since I already decided to return.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

First on BR sweater. I don't think this style makes you "big on top" - you look great. But I hear you on BR knitwear quality, I was not happy with it either. Try JCrew - I prefer their knitwear quality by far to BR for a similar price point.

I like the fit on white Kuts. You can have them taken in the waist or wear a belt if they are not too big. Especially in white color you don't wnat your skinnies too tight - at least I don't.
Online shopping can be frustrating but I think it is more frustrating when your store options are so limited you are not even tempted to try on anything.
Online returns are just a part of the experience, you have to make piece with them.

Daria

Sveta - will try JCrew, thanks for the suggestion.
I agree that white pants would work with a belt, something to consider.