Do you have an on-line purchasing strategy that includes “research” ?

I’ve ordered several items from a couple of establishments and will see how it goes; some, like a sweater here or there, could be too similar to each other, but I can’t tell how each one will fit, or if will be itchy, or what. When they arrive, it might be a bad thing if they and the other items are all are “10’s,” because probably there would be some redundancy. So I’m counting on the combination of my complete inability to pick things out well on-line, plus the fact that most don’t fit, while at the same time hoping some will. Or that when you see things side by side, it’s easier to choose the best (if any).

I started trying this because things have been selling out in my size while I’m still noodling. Of course, selling out has budget benefits. I looked over the AT tops last week (on their always-going-on “sale price”) and ordered an AT collared merino sweater in a great color ; then could not believe it was too small (for fluid fit!) , so returned it to store, then went to re-order in the next size and poof! Not available. So much for the energy, the plan of how it would fit in. That used up my time for that. Foiled, like Sveta and her coat! Although, the other size may not even have worked. Maybe I could find it returned to a store, as I did mine!

So, that’s shopping. Not exactly an issue for world peace. But, it’s funny because I used to be more random, so just came across things randomly, fine. Then as I became more focused, choosing this style, in this color, in this fit, there’s the chance of success vs. the chance of, how dare they not have that! The point is, it seems as though a lot of times there’s not really the one “perfect” item that you can just decide on, but maybe a range of possibles. So I’m trying more possibles.

How do you balance the aha! just-the-ticket item with the fact that it may evaporate? Flexible fashion fickleness? The grass will be greener tomorrow?