https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/online-shopping-advantage Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:24:21 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/online-shopping-advantage#post-2339118 Thu, 21 Sep 2023 17:21:30 +0000 Angie 2339118@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm nodding along with <b>SarahD8</b> and <b>cat2</b>. Shopping online is more environmentally friendly than I thought. I was shocked! I've listened to many a show on NPR about it, and the info majorly broadened my horizons :)&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/online-shopping-advantage#post-2339105 Thu, 21 Sep 2023 14:54:36 +0000 cat2 2339105@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am a fan of online shopping; having worked retail I don’t think fans of brick and mortar as environmentally better are taking into account the total costs of offering store fronts. Online I receive a box that contains recycled material and that gets recycled, and an item in the same packaging in which it arrives at the store. Each item at the store has been stripped out of the plastic sleeves so you don’t see them, they just get tossed before you see them, not after. And they add another bag when you check out. I am pretty sure the footprint of my box shipped from a warehouse is lower than the footprint of goods shipped from the warehouse to a brightly lit climate controlled store for my perusal. Plus each customer needs to drive to the stores. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/online-shopping-advantage#post-2339101 Thu, 21 Sep 2023 13:51:04 +0000 SarahD8 2339101@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would not call reviews and ratings an advantage of online shopping -- I think those exist to mitigate a major disadvantage, which is that you can't see/touch/try on the item for yourself before buying. I also think 99% of reviews are useless in terms of telling me anything I want to know.</p> <p>I would caution people from making a firm conclusion that online shopping is less environmentally friendly than brick and mortar retail. I think certain aspects of the environmental impact, like packaging, are more *visible* to us with online shopping. But I think there are also aspects of brick and mortar retail's impact that we don't commonly think about, such as the emissions involved in heating/lighting retail stores.</p> <p>A lot of life cycle analysis studies find that under certain conditions (the devil is ALWAYS in the details) online shopping for groceries for example is better for the environment -- I couldn't find a recent study that was specifically about clothing shopping though. (There is a study from this year that looks very good for brick and mortar retail but it's not peer reviewed and it was funded by a mall owner. Looking at it briefly the aspects of environmental impact they include and leave out does not seem very rigorous to me.)</p> <p>I am not saying this to shame people into shopping online -- I think we need to make every option radically more environmentally friendly, and people should do the best they can in the meantime, with the most environmentally friendly option being the one that most effectively gets you the clothes you will actually wear.</p> <p>/Soapbox lol </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/online-shopping-advantage#post-2339079 Thu, 21 Sep 2023 05:56:28 +0000 Indigoprint 2339079@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thinking like Jenni Z. Online is not environmentally friendly considering packinging and mileage for delivery.<br /> In addition we all know shipping and returns are not free....<br /> It is hard to buy something you cannot touch, feel, see the color, and how it fits.<br /> Most brick and mortar stores have generous return policys </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/online-shopping-advantage#post-2339063 Thu, 21 Sep 2023 01:35:53 +0000 Jaime 2339063@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Actually sounds a bit too AI generated if you know what I mean. Anyway, I especially question the environmental impact of the shipping and returns. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/online-shopping-advantage#post-2339056 Thu, 21 Sep 2023 00:51:05 +0000 Zaeobi 2339056@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Since living abroad, I mostly shop online - but at home, I prefer to shop in-person. Ironically I'm in @The Cat's situation now, but the benefits (for me) mostly outweigh having to pay out of pocket for the privilege. </p> <p>Agree with@April - whether an item coordinates with the rest of my wardrobe in *reality* (checking the nuances of fit, colour etc) is a big determiner of whether I'll K/R. </p> <p>To add to @Roberta's point, I find I'm often forced to do this due to sizes - even if a brand sells a bigger size, they don't usually put them out on the shop floor. I sometimes have to do this with makeup colours too (dismal shade ranges on display/ in-stock). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/online-shopping-advantage#post-2339031 Wed, 20 Sep 2023 20:04:25 +0000 Jenni NZ 2339031@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I thought this post was spam when I saw it last night. I thought that there would be a link to an online shopping site shortly. We have already discussed this topic at length on the forum.<br /> However, assuming the post is not spam- I personally still prefer in-store shopping since I am trying to limit my shopping and don’t need the endless choice of the whole internet and things that are probably not what I think they’ll be once they turn up!<br /> And all the returns are definitely not environmentally friendly. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/online-shopping-advantage#post-2339000 Wed, 20 Sep 2023 16:46:59 +0000 kkards 2339000@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>yup, there are many advantages, but its funny so many of the advantages you listed are/can be disadvantages as well&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Convenience : <i>assuming its convenient to wait 2-5 days</i></li> <li>Wide variety and selection :<i> to much choice can be overwhelming and can cause decision paralysis</i></li> <li>Price comparison : <i>if you are actually comparing the exact same thing, many things, especially in fashion can look alike, but the devil is in the details&nbsp;</i></li> <li>Access to reviews and ratings ; <i>if you can weed thru the fakes and/or the paid reviews</i></li> <li>Time savings : <i>again assuming on when you need the actual product</i></li> <li>Accessibility</li> <li>Privacy and discretion :<i> well now all my neighbors know when i get a package (although they don't see when i return)</i></li> <li>Easy returns and refunds</li> <li>Convenience for busy lifestyles</li> <li>Access to exclusive deals</li> <li>Avoiding crowds</li> <li>Potential environmental benefits : <i>all the cardboard and fuel to get the product to my front door makes me question this one</i></li> </ul> <i></p> <p></i> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/online-shopping-advantage#post-2338998 Wed, 20 Sep 2023 16:38:38 +0000 slim cat 2338998@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Since I'm on the receiving end - processing on-line returns - I'm less enthusiastic about on-line shopping. Lots of mistakes from warehouses ( wrong item ), mistakes from shopping late at night feeling unfocused, multiple items just because of sale price, tags removed/items rumpled, lost paperwork/missed return window, etc..<br />It maybe became a bit too easy in US - wonder if retailers will change things soon..<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/business-66851912">https://www.bbc.com/news/business-66851912</a></p> <p>It is very useful option of course - in moderation &nbsp;. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/online-shopping-advantage#post-2338994 Wed, 20 Sep 2023 16:14:24 +0000 Roberta 2338994@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>April's comment is my number one. I have to try something on with multiple garments to be sure it's a keeper.</p> <p>Number two is selection. When an item comes in five colors, it seems the store never has the one I want in stock. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/online-shopping-advantage#post-2338983 Wed, 20 Sep 2023 14:55:54 +0000 Carol 2338983@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm easy, so I do mostly online shopping. Also, most of that is from Poshmark--not too expensive. I usually will just pass on the item if I don't like it.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/online-shopping-advantage#post-2338981 Wed, 20 Sep 2023 14:19:50 +0000 Anonymous 2338981@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I avoid on-line shopping because I am not very computer savvy. &nbsp;I prefer to feel fabrics and see the color for myself. &nbsp;The best situation is taking an item home to try with other items in my closet. &nbsp;I would rather return items than send them back. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/online-shopping-advantage#post-2338978 Wed, 20 Sep 2023 14:05:22 +0000 The Cat 2338978@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What Angie wrote.</p> <p>Where I live (Scandinavia), shipping is seldom or never free. Returns must be made within short time, and you have to pay for that shipping yourself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/online-shopping-advantage#post-2338976 Wed, 20 Sep 2023 13:45:40 +0000 Angie 2338976@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes! I agree with every point made so far - IF YOU LIVE IN THE US! (I live in the US).</p> <p>The US is set up for online shopping, and I'm very grateful for that. I shop mostly online these days too. We have the infrastructure. Shipping is often free. Return polices are lenient. Parcel delivery is safe and reliable. Customer service is excellent. This is not the case in other parts of the world, which can make online shopping less convenient, expensive, and a hassle.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/online-shopping-advantage#post-2338975 Wed, 20 Sep 2023 13:45:25 +0000 unfrumped 2338975@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmmmm…. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/online-shopping-advantage#post-2338953 Wed, 20 Sep 2023 09:59:42 +0000 April 2338953@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another one: you can try on the item with other items in your wardrobe.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/online-shopping-advantage#post-2338952 Wed, 20 Sep 2023 09:43:06 +0000 Mb1993 2338952@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Online shopping advantages include:</p> <ul> <li>Convenience</li> <li>Wide variety and selection</li> <li>Price comparison</li> <li>Access to reviews and ratings</li> <li>Time savings</li> <li>Accessibility</li> <li>Privacy and discretion</li> <li>Easy returns and refunds</li> <li>Convenience for busy lifestyles</li> <li>Access to exclusive deals</li> <li>Avoiding crowds</li> <li>Potential environmental benefits.</li> </ul> <p> </p>