https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-those-of-you-who-shop-online-a-lot-how-do-you-deal-with-fit Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 22 May 2026 16:49:39 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-those-of-you-who-shop-online-a-lot-how-do-you-deal-with-fit#post-13998 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 07:44:21 +0000 amy29 13998@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I typically only order brands whose fit I'm well acquainted with. If it's a brand I'm not familiar with, I do a little bit of review reading before I make the final purchase. Buzzilions.com is great for that. Sometimes I'll go ahead and make an iffy purchase if I'm sure I can resell the item on ebay for equal or near equal reimbursement. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-those-of-you-who-shop-online-a-lot-how-do-you-deal-with-fit#post-13982 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 04:25:03 +0000 Antje 13982@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, a 20% return rate is great. You're a skilled and discerning shopper I probably return about 50% of what I order online, but as I said above I don't really mind and factor it into the process.<br /> For shoes, I return even more, since I almost always order about 5 pairs in similar styles/colors and then pick out my favorite ones at home. I just love Zappos, Endless and Piperlime for their free two-way shipping... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-those-of-you-who-shop-online-a-lot-how-do-you-deal-with-fit#post-13930 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:26:52 +0000 Tanya 13930@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I buy a lot of things on line, especially at discount websites such as Smart Bargains and Bluefly. I use almost all of the strategies I mentioned above: buying from places that i can return in the store, or that I am pretty certain about my size in certain brand. I always look for free shipping code or similar code.</p> <p>I also do not hesitate to return/exchange something even if I have to pay for the shipping. It's still much better than having a badly fitting item sit in your closet.</p> <p>I'd estimate that I return/exchange about 20% of stuff I've ordered online. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-those-of-you-who-shop-online-a-lot-how-do-you-deal-with-fit#post-13902 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:10:19 +0000 Nicole 13902@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I probably buy more stuff on line than I do in stores. Like Antje, I like to shop at online stores that have brick and mortar stores near me for returns. Sometimes I'll buy something having no idea if it will fit. I'd say it's a 50/50 keep return rate. Sometimes I'll keep something that doesn't fit, but I like, and have it altered. (like the coral BR dress I wore to the wedding). I have considered buying two sizes ad returning if something does not fit, but I usually chicken out and get one size. I have a less difficult time finding pants to fit, and a more difficult time with tops. So I'm less cautious with pants and skirts and more so with tops. Also, after buying from the same store a few times, you get a good idea about how their things fit. That is, until they get a new buyer or start buying from a new supplier. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-those-of-you-who-shop-online-a-lot-how-do-you-deal-with-fit#post-13893 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:38:51 +0000 shannon 13893@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have just recently started to order online. With two kids to take to a store with me, it just doesn't work. First of all I always try to get free shipping. Usually you have to order a certain amount to get it and that way I can order two different sizes. If I can get free shipping to me then paying to return it is not so bad. I do have some things from Anthropologie that need to go back. I am holding onto them and plan on returning to the store here in town once they open. If I order an item that is too big sometimes alterations are about the same price as returning them, so I just go that route. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-those-of-you-who-shop-online-a-lot-how-do-you-deal-with-fit#post-13881 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:54:21 +0000 Antje 13881@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I order online quite a bit, but my strategy is that I almost always order from stores where I can then return items in a physical store. That way I don't have to pay for return shipping (which is rarely ever free). This rules out some stores, obviously, e.g. Bloomingdales (we don't have one), Saks, Tulles etc.<br /> Now that I know the sizing in most of the stores I order from (BR, J Crew, AT, ATL) the fit works well most of the time. But the colors are sometimes different than they appear online, and if the item is different from styles I usually wear I won't know whether I like it on me until I try it. That's why returns for me are just part of the process, and I don't mind it so much since it's pretty quick and easy to run into a store to return something. I really like trying things on at home, combining them with existing pieces from my closet before deciding, which is why I like online ordering. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-those-of-you-who-shop-online-a-lot-how-do-you-deal-with-fit#post-13866 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:11:49 +0000 shiny 13866@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I tend to only order things that I am nearly certain will fit. Often, it may be an item I already tried on in the store, but didn't buy because I waited to give myself a cooling-off period. </p> <p>I can order fairly confidently from BR because I find their sizes are quite consistent and I know enough about their merchandise to be able to determine which items will fit and flatter, and which probably won't. When in doubt, I will just go to the store to try on. </p> <p>I have ordered occasionally from ATL online, but the merchandise I rec'd didn't seem to be the same quality. These were items I tried on in the store, may have even purchased but wanted to duplicate. </p> <p>Jeans: I will usually only order a brand and size I already have, or have tried on and know fits. Exception: if the customer service people will be kind enough to take a few more measurements of the garment, I am apt to give it a try (and this has worked well in the past). I will say that jcrew has the nicest customer service. Still doesn't change my mind about ordering though. </p> <p>Bluefly: only thing I order from that site is sweet pea tops, because I already know my size and know they tend to work for me. </p> <p>Shoes: I stick to ordering brands that have worked in the past. Shoes are probably the item I end up having to return most often though. I like Zappo's because they make it easy. I do not like piperlime because you can't just drop them off at BR store. (I'd much rather return at the store, rather than the post office). </p> <p>Jcrew: I will never order online from them. They have the worst shipping policies. I used to order petite clothes, but found the sizing was entirely inconsistent - there was no rhyme or reason. So I stopped. I will only buy jcrew if I try it on in the store and it fits. They don't carry petites in the store, so that relegates me to the occasional XS or 0 that works. Most of their clothes are too big on me, even in the smallest size. </p> <p>Department stores: again, I only order items I have already tried on first in the store. Either I waited for a sale or a cooling off period, or I wanted it in a different color, or they didn't have my size but I'm fairly certain the other size will fit. There are a few exceptions, like once I ordered a bathing suit. But I had to return it. </p> <p>My DH handles all my returns for me, on his way to work - he says he doesn't mind. But that does make me think twice. I hate putting him out too much. </p> <p>I am more apt to use the internet to figure out which store I want to hit, and what I want to try on, before I venture out of the house! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/for-those-of-you-who-shop-online-a-lot-how-do-you-deal-with-fit#post-13838 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:23:22 +0000 Plushpenguin 13838@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How much do you end up returning for another size? Any tips? </p>