K/R and Return Guilt - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R and Return Guilt

Jenny H

Veteran

Hello Fabbers!

It's nice to be back here for the NAS.

I made a massive NAS order on Thursday and all my items have arrived. I'm feeling inclined to return the vast majority of items and am feeling some guilt that I may be taking advantage of Nordstrom's generous policies. But I don't love, or even like very much, many of the items. Mostly due to fit issues. It's also a shame to miss out on the 10X rewards.

I have a few items I would love opinions on if you can forgive the terrible photos. I don't have air conditioning, so the only time it is comfortable enough to try things on is when there isn't good light. And then I compound that by taking the photos with wet hair...

Halogen Long Sleeve Knit Tunic: I'm leaning towards keeping this. Nothing special, just a basic but in a nice color.

Trouve Wrap Blouse: I like this but I'm not sure it works with my short torso. I took a side photo but it is too dark to see clearly the odd way the blouse hangs in back, likely because there is excess fabric at the tie band. I'm leaning towards returning this.

BP Lightweight Rib Stitch Cardigan: I so love the idea of having a long/boyfriend cardigan, but I'm a pear with pronounced saddlebags. I feel like this sweater draws attention to that. It's also so thin that you can see every bunch of fabric from the shirt you wear underneath. I'm leaning towards returning this.

On the bright side, I will keep two bras, the smartwool hide & seek socks, and possibly a necklace (which is admittedly a bit too long for my short torso).

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Halogen Long Sleeve Knit Tunic

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3

Trouvé Wrap Blouse

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0

BP Lightweight Rib Stitch Cardigan

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1

Anniversary Sale

28 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

bridgie

Veteran

I rather like the Trouve wrap top, but a lot will depend on how the back looks.

KnittingGene

I love all three pieces on you. Maybe have someone else take a pic of the back view of the wrap blouse? The cardigan seems to me to skim beautifully over extra baggage. You look great!

Suzanne (ambergreen)

Veteran

Although these pieces do look nice on you...my first thought is that, well, they are very nice but maybe not quite super special enough to try to make them work if you don't love them. (Edited because this is really the point--if the love is low, will you reach for them?)

That said, please do NOT feel guilt about returns! There is no way we can know how things suit us when we buy online (or even in person) until we test them out. Is there some moral imperative about picking the perfect thing from pics on a site alone? No! Returns are part of the process, period, and Nordstrom especially knows this and has built this fact of life into their systems. No worries!

Anonymous

Agreeing with the second paragraph of Suzanne. If the free ship and free return policy is not working for a retailer, they will implement a change to work that line item. Until then, that is their policy, and you should not keep anything out of guilt.

Sara L.

Veteran

I like the first top, but the second one seems a bit fussy. The grey cardigan looks lovely on you and skims your curves. I don't see how it could emphasize your pear shape. I can't tell from the photos that the fabric is bunching underneath but if that's going to bother you, then maybe it should go back.

Liz

Veteran

Returns are a fact of life when dealing with remote purchases of clothing. If a retailer doesn't want to deal with them, they will change their policies. It's not on your shoulders to protect the retailer from the realities of their own business.

Author Linda

Veteran

Don't feel guilty about returns. Think of it this way: someone else will get a chance to love them, someone for whom they are perfect.

I think all three look good on you. If you don't love them, though, you won't wear them, so what's the point?

Elle

Veteran

I like the first tunic on you - and the color is very flattering. The cardigan seems to overwhelm you so I would return. I can't really tell about the wrap blouse - they often look better in real life than in photos - but if you don't love it, return.

I agree with all the others. Nordstroms benefits from the return policy or they wouldn't have it. So return away....

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I like the color of the first top. I think the wrap top looks great on you, but I know what you mean about hesitating over a side view. Can you post a pic of that? You need to feel good in it though.

I'm not a big cardigan person, so I'm not a great judge of that, but as someone with similar figure flattery concerns (I def have saddlebags!), I completely understand your feelings about it. Again, unless it makes you feel great, I would lean toward returning. Don't feel guilty, it's just part of the process with online ordering!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The colour of the first top is great on you.

As for the others, if they do not make you happy, you should return without the least hesitation! They have those policies for a reason and returning right away puts them back in rotation for others who might love them. Go for it.

AZBeth

I agree with Sara, the cardigan looks great on you and I find that it looks very slimming... I think the tunic is a great basic. I also tried the Trouve top and found it to be very fussy; constantly having to adjust and pull and twist it and the sewn-in tie made the back a mess; so I if you don't love it, I would return it.

Thistle

Veteran

I like #1 a lot. I think it's a keeper.

#2 I am not sure about. It almost looks overwhelming on you. And, it looks to be the kind of top that would drive me crazy as I'd be constantly adjusting it. YMMV though.

#3 looks fine. How cold is your climate? Would this be a summer-weight cardi for you?

kkards

Veteran

I have no hesitation with returns from stuff I buy on line....after all if I'm buying it on line, than my bedroom = fitting room!

its stuff I buy in the store, than get home and change my mind that I feel (slightly) guilty about

love #1 & #3 on you!

Sheila

Veteran

I like #2 on you but you are the judge here...To my eye, the wider sleeves give some great balance to your overall shape -- in a VERY pleasant way. I do like it a lot.

Anonymous

BP covers saddlebags (baby ones!).

The teal top is great. I like the wrap top too, but think you need to dress it up a bit to get a good idea of whether it's a keeper.
Please don't feel bad about returning! For one, you're just trying things on. For two, even if you had access to the brick-and-mortar store, you STILL shouldn't feel guilty about returns, because again, you're just trying things on (in the comfort of your home).

Greyscale

Veteran

I also think the cardigan is flattering, but you'll know best if it fits the look you want.

Also, thanks to your thread, today I finally returned something I bought at LAST year's NAS and had lost track of (tags still on). And yes I did feel guilty but they took the return without blinking. With a friendly smile, no less.

Petra

I do like the cardigan on you. If you return due to the fabric issue you should definitely keep on looking for such a style - I think it is flattering on you.
The wrap top looks nice too but how will it look after you get out of the car or when sitting at your desk?

minimalist

Veteran

Your returns cost them less than maintaining a physical store near you would. And my returns to physical store of items I've bought in-store to try on at home costs them faaaaarrr less than providing a non-overwhelming shopping and fitting experience would do.

I've bought (at NR) then returned items that had been returned from Nordstrom on-line sales, and the SA remarked that they were getting a lot of those returns in. I do wonder how they calculate all of this.

Laura G

Veteran

The Halogen tunic looks nice on you, and I think it's the kind of thing that will grow on you once you've styled it as you like.

I can't see the wrap blouse well enough to judge, but if you feel today that there's something--anything--odd about it, it probably needs to go back.

The first thing I thought when I saw you in the long cardi is, "Wow, with those skinny legs, she can get away with wearing something that voluminous." So I wouldn't worry about it on grounds of figure flattery! But that said, there are hundreds of them out there and you should have the one you feel great in, which sounds like not-this-one.

Nordstrom knows what they're doing with the free shipping. For every customer who returns most of her order, there are two more who order a few extra things because 'I'm curious about that item, and what the hell, the shipping's free' and then like and buy that extra item (or three). Not naming names...

DonnaF

Veteran

Do not feel guilty about returns. It is better than *settling*, isn't it? My Nordstrom's Petite Focus department has grown tiny and seems to carry their ugliest stuff. If that's the way they want to do business I order a ton online and then return a ton minus a few.

Jenny H

Veteran

I have really appreciated everyone's feedback! I have boxed everything up and made my decisions.

You have convinced me to give the BP cardigan a try. I'm keeping it. It's not overly expensive, so I can afford this risk. Thanks for all the encouragement!

Not surprisingly, I am keeping the Halogen tunic. But I am sending back the Trouve wrap top. I may keep my eye open for a similar style, but this one is too fussy. I wore it around the house for a bit this morning, and as a couple of you mentioned, I found myself needing to adjust it all the time. That's not going to work for me.

On the bright side, I think I'll have available budget to make some new purchases once the rest of Angie's picks come out! I'm considering some shoes and jeans already...

Thanks again!

Joy

Veteran

Sounds like a good solution. Think of your returns as releasing those items to someone who wants them in your size. And you can buy something else that you like better.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Cardi looks smashing. Tee is a great essential. Return the wrap top.

Kady

You can also return Nordstrom items at Nordstrom Rack, if that helps with the guilt factor.

Gail

Veteran

I love the cardigan on you . I tried to buy but it's sold out now !

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I like the cardi the best. I think the wrap top looks a big like what they give me at the hair salon...I'd pass on that. The tee is fine, if you wear this type of item regularly I'd keep.

Any returns - it's expected that you will leave a happy customer. Any guilt you have is wasted, as it's perfect acceptable!

Debora

Veteran

I bought the Halogen knit tunic in gray and agree with Angie - it's a nice essential piece. Drapes well and feels good on the body. Glad you decided to keep it!

unfrumped

Veteran

Ditto above! I like longer tops with the curved hem like# 1 and find them great for FFBO's. I wish there was a not- scoop neck for me!