10 Sneaky Ways to Transform Online Shopping from Frustration to Fashion Bliss

Online shopping is convenient, but it also comes with some risks. You can’t try on the clothes before you buy them, and you might end up with something that doesn’t fit you well. How can you avoid this frustrating situation? Here are some signs that an item from an online shop won’t fit you, and what you can do about it.

1. The item has a lot of negative reviews or ratings.

if the item has a lot of negative reviews or ratings, that is a sign that it won’t fit you. You might see comments like “too small”, “too big”, “not as pictured”, “poor quality”, or “bad customer service”. These are warning signs that the item is not true to size, not true to color, not well-made, or not worth buying. You might end up wasting your time and money on something that you won’t like or wear.

What you can do: Look for online shops that have a lot of positive reviews and ratings for their items, and that respond to customer complaints and issues. You can also filter the reviews by size, fit, color, and other criteria to see what people with similar preferences and expectations say about the item.

2. The item from the online store is presented without a model.

When you order clothes online and no model is wearing them, it’s a gamble. Trying them on in person might reveal some surprises. Without knowing how they’ll fit, you might run into some unexpected issues. Those cute ties or straps on blouses that looked great in pictures can end up making your stomach look bigger than you’d like. Those fabulous ruffles might seem a bit outdated in person, and the sleeves might not be the length you were expecting. It’s like a fashion mystery until you put them on.

3. The model is standing in an unnatural pose.

Models striking weird and puzzling poses with clothes are definitely keeping something under wraps. Despite the strong urge to buy the outfits they showcase, the reality might not live up to our expectations. Those unconventional poses can be deceiving, and we might end up with something far from what we had in mind. It’s a gamble, and sometimes the mystery behind the poses leads to unexpected outcomes when we finally get our hands on the clothes.

4. The model has a different body type than you.

Another thing to pay attention to is how the item looks on the model. Sometimes, the model’s fit is very different from yours, and that can affect how the item will look on you. For example, if the model is very tall and slim, and you are shorter and curvier, the item might not fit you the same way. It might be too long, too tight, or too loose in some areas.

What you can do: Try to find online shops that show the item on different models with different body types. You can also look for customer reviews and photos that show how the item fits on real people. This can give you a better idea of how the item will look on you

5. You don’t know your right measurements.

One of the reasons why an item from an online shop won’t fit you is that you don’t know your updated measurements. Your body might have changed over time, due to weight loss or gain, pregnancy, aging, or other factors. If you rely on your old measurements, you might end up buying clothes that are too big or too small for you. To avoid this, you should always measure yourself regularly and accurately, and compare your measurements to the size chart of each online shop. This way, you can find clothes that fit you well and flatter your figure.

6. A model is covering details of the outfit with her hand.

When you shop online, you want to see the whole outfit clearly and accurately. However, some models might cover some details of the outfit with their hand, either intentionally or unintentionally. This can make it hard for you to judge how the item will fit you, and whether it will suit your style and preference. For example, the model might be hiding a zipper, a button, a pocket, or a seam that might affect the fit or the look of the item.

You might also miss some important information, such as the length, the width, or the cut of the item. Therefore, you should always look for online shops that show the item from different angles and perspectives, and that provide clear and detailed descriptions and measurements of each item. This way, you can avoid buying items that won’t fit you or that you won’t like.

7. The outfit is shown with a background that is “too beautiful.”

Budget online stores use fancy backgrounds and heavy editing to make their cheap products look good... On their website, at least.

They lure us in with attractive photos that show the clothes in a nice setting. That’s how we end up buying something that doesn’t match the quality or the appearance of the picture.

8. The photo of the outfit is too cropped.

Poorly trimmed photos can mislead us and cover up the outdated style and shape of the product. A suit that only shows the top or the middle in these photos might be hiding pants that are too small or a cut that is out of fashion.

9. The size chart is vague or missing.

One of the most important things to check before you buy clothes online is the size chart. This is where you can compare your measurements to the ones of the item you want to buy. However, some online shops don’t provide a size chart, or they only give generic information like “small, medium, large”. This is a red flag, because different brands and countries have different standards for sizing. You might end up with something that is too big or too small for you.

What you can do: Look for online shops that provide detailed size charts with specific measurements for each item. You can also use tools like Fit Finder, which can give you personalized size and fit recommendations based on your body shape and preferences.

10. The item that you like is shown together with something too bright.

Online store stylists can make some weird choices: they cover up the dull or mismatched design of one item with the flashy color or pattern of another. Then we end up liking the whole outfit, not the piece we want to buy. To get the same look, we have to buy everything in the picture.

Here are more tips.

Besides the tips we already gave you, we also want to share some of our own experiences as online shopping lovers. We have noticed some things that can help you shop smarter and save money.

• Tip # 1: Avoid clothes that the model only shows from the side. We’ve found that if an item looks nice from a side view, it won’t look as nice from the front when you get it.

• Tip # 2: Choose the outfit that has a catwalk video over the one that doesn’t. Photos can be deceiving, and some items look very different in reality. That’s why big online shops add short videos to show you the details of the clothes you want to buy. Don’t ignore this handy feature — it can help you decide if you really need to buy something.

Bonus: “Ordered this giant bra in a wrong size.”

While these signs can save you from the disappointment of ill-fitting online purchases, imagine the tales of those whose luck took a turn for the worse. Stay tuned for our next article as we delve into the misadventures of 16 people whose luck ran out while navigating the unpredictable world of online shopping.