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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I can’t be the only one that hates online clothes shopping?

112 replies

Karmachameleons · 08/02/2021 22:31

I am so gytted that high street clothes shops are shutting.

I need to try clothes on to know if they fit me or flatter my shape.

I need to see and feel the fabric - this is really crucial!

I need to see colours in real life, not rely on a rubbish computer monitor.

I also like to see what’s displayed tigether for inspiration, and I like to see what other people in the shop are wearing and trying on! (Yes, it’s nosy, but it helps give me ideas!)

I HATE online shopping and 95% of the stuff I have bought online has been a disappointment.

100% of my most favourite clothes were tried on in a shop.

SURELY I can’t be alone in this? I had so much been looking forward to post pandemic clothes shopping but it’s looking increasingly likely there will be no clothes shops left and I will be wasting my money on shitty crap cunningly displayed on a beautiful online model for the forseeable Sad .

OP posts:
StCharlotte · 09/02/2021 17:00

My DH bought me a voucher for a local independent boutique for Christmas. I am champing at the bit to get in there! I do hope it survives (not just so DH hasn't wasted his money!) because it sells lovely stuff.

I am also sad that some of my favourite shops (e.g. Oasis and Monsoon) have gone to the wall, at least in terms of their high street presence.

Having said that, I have done, um, quite a lot of online shopping in the last 24 hours... I'm really very good at it Blush

BarbaraofSeville · 09/02/2021 17:44

really get fed up with the people who glibly say, "Oh just order a few sizes online and see what fits and send the rest back". It's really not that easy, financially doable, or practical

Just get them on a credit card and make sure you return everything in a reasonable time frame and the returns will be credited before the bill is due. That's the easy part.

SmallPrawnEnergy · 09/02/2021 17:51

Welcome to the life of a plus size person. Most high street retailers don’t cater to larger sizes so this is the life plus size people have.

Aprilx · 09/02/2021 17:56

I prefer online clothes shopping. I tend to stick with a small number retailers so I have a reasonable idea of how their length and sizings work. I have only occasionally needed to send something back.

Shoes are a different matter. I have ordered trainers or similar online with no trouble and I possibly would a simple ballet slip on. But otherwise would prefer to try in person.

Ginfordinner · 09/02/2021 18:00

It isn't just sizing, but the feel of the material. And you can never get a real idea of the true colour of clothes from a photograph.

Several post offices have closed round here so the queues are too long for returning parcels.

Bythemillpond · 09/02/2021 18:27

Just get them on a credit card and make sure you return everything in a reasonable time frame and the returns will be credited before the bill is due. That's the easy part

You are assuming that people have enough credit to spend 3 or 4 times the amount they want to spend left on a credit card and returning doesn’t involve a car journey, finding a parking space, parking the car (For me that involves a huge stress as I cannot park a car) a long walk and actually having the time when the post office is open to actually do all that.
Dd is still waiting for £70 to be credited back to her account from a major on line retailer since before Christmas.
She has now given up so she has kissed goodbye to that money as it takes so much time trying to explain the same things over and over and getting the same results.

Sniv · 09/02/2021 18:27

I bought a jumpsuit online the other day. Was pleasantly surprised to put it on and find it fits perfectly (yes!) and the fabric quality is great (yes!)...then I turn around and see the pattern lines up so I have a massive yellow flower on each bumcheek (whyyyyyy).

This is the kind of thing I check for in a shop.

Bythemillpond · 09/02/2021 18:35

I am quite short and it isn’t just sizing but the length. I have bought before on line and just end up sending everything back. It is just so stressful

Original poster
Karmachameleons · 09/02/2021 18:42

I hope the people in charge of M&S, Next, Matalan and wherever else is still open see this thread! We still want the high street!!

OP posts:
megletthesecond · 09/02/2021 18:58

This is why Primark are so handy. Loads of styles and sizes and I can take 8 items in one go and hope one fits. Far less hassle than on-line shopping and returns.
I'll be hated but I would pay a bit more for Primark if went direct to the people who make the clothes.

Thesearmsofmine · 09/02/2021 19:02

YANBU i prefer to buy in a shop so I can feel the item and try it on. I really need a coat and had planned to buy one last winter but I can’t afford to buy loads online to try on and send back the ones I don’t like or don’t fit.

Onlineshopperforever · 09/02/2021 19:15

You're clearly not plus sized, very thin, short or tall are you OP. Or in need of maternity wear. I gave up on the high street about a decade ago when it gave up on me.

Online, I can choose from thousands of clothes in my size in the comfort of my living room. The last time I actually went out with the purpose of clothes shopping was six years ago when I needed a dress for a wedding. Four hours and 20 shops later, I could not find one single dress in my size. Let alone anything suitable for a wedding. Within half an hour on line, I'd found 20 dresses I liked in my size on New Look alone. I'll also say at the time, I was a size 16, so an average size.

My DSIS who is a size six and needs a petite has similar issues.

GellerYeller · 09/02/2021 19:22

I share a lot of the frustrations here but to the poster who can't go to the shops as she can't park a car: How does that work?!!

BarbaraofSeville · 09/02/2021 20:55

@GellerYeller

I share a lot of the frustrations here but to the poster who can't go to the shops as she can't park a car: How does that work?!!
Plus is determined to cut their nose off to spite their face by not having a standard payment tool that solves a lot of the issues raised about having money tied up while returns are processed.

Plus I rarely use the Post Office these days as there's endless alternative return methods and many post offices are in convenience stores now so open much longer hours.

Original poster
Karmachameleons · 09/02/2021 21:23

@Onlineshopperforever well you’re right I am not plus size or thin, but I am taller than average at 5ft 9 and very long in the body. The difficulty finding stuff that fits properly is part of why I want to shop in person! But that’s not the only reason, as I mentioned in my OP it’s about fabric and colour and about ideas for outfits too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Karmachameleons · 09/02/2021 21:24

By the way I am thrilled that online shopping works for some, I’m all in favour of choice. I just hope the high street stays open as well!

OP posts:
Vinorosso74 · 09/02/2021 21:29

I also hate online clothes shopping. I have bought stuff if I know it will fit eg. jeans or a bra in the style and size I have. I have bought Converse online as I know they'll fit. I can't be doing with the sending stuff back. I also have no idea where I will shop when the shops do actually reopen!

NecklessMumster · 09/02/2021 21:36

YANBU I absolutely hate it and I need new clothes now.I'm short and round and can't tell what will look ok until I try it on. I have bought online but to me it's a massive ballache, scrolling through endless pages on websites then having to return the fuckers. And everything feels like nylon.
I have discovered Snag tights though.

SirVixofVixHall · 09/02/2021 21:39

Have just been moaning to my friend about this. Online shopping still takes ages, and then the stuff arrives and usually has to go back, so there is all the faff of that. Things don’t fit, or the fabric is too thin, or they are unflattering etc.
It is so annoying. Shops are much nicer.

nordica · 09/02/2021 21:40

I much prefer shopping online and have done almost all my clothes shopping online for about 10 years now. Partly because the brands I like are not really easily available especially locally so I have no choice anyway.

I know what I like and often buy more than one of the same thing i.e. I know I love the Seasalt sailor tops and have them in a number of colours. I also mainly buy cotton fabrics so I know what the fabric feels like, and understand enough about fabrics from having done sewing before that I can tell a lot from the zoomed in photos online.

It's much easier to compare different options online, and there's usually more stock available so I know I can get my size. Maybe it depends on your personal style though - I prefer clothes with a looser fit for example so it doesn't matter exactly if it's an inch bigger or smaller or longer or shorter. I can imagine it would be difficult to buy a tailored suit or even a pair of jeans online and get the right fit.

Thewinterofdiscontent · 09/02/2021 22:22

Shoes.

How hard can it be to agree on EU and U.K. sizes? I’m that anomaly that is a 40. I often have to take a punt on a 7 which could be either 40 or 41 depending on nothing at all it seems. Particularly annoying with drop down menus that only have whole U.K. sizes.

I get the Post Office pain. I don’t have a printer so can’t do labels for Hermes or whoever. Click and Collect can print them but only if the returns use them it seems.
I can park I hasten to add. But I’m not paying £1.50 just to rush in after work to post something.

Ginfordinner · 09/02/2021 22:26

Pre covid I used to window shop online, then go real shopping.
I'm sad for all the people who have lost their jobs. Obviously there will be warehouse jobs, but one of the issues is that shopping centres are usually in towns and/or next to good transport links. Most warehousing is out of town with poor transport links, so the non drivers will struggle.

Chicchicchicchiclana · 09/02/2021 22:27

I loathe online clothes shopping. I have to force myself to do it. Almost everything I order is a disappointment and I end up sending it back.

I boughta t-shirt from M&S last summer. When it arrived it was made of 100% polyester ffs!

DNHandTNS · 09/02/2021 22:39

I just realised that I have not bought any clothes this year! I don't buy much except for basics, but I like good quality items or handmade. In Autumn 2020 I bought a dress from Boden and a Jumper from White Stuff. Sometimes I buy an item in a few sizes so I can compare, keep one and send the others back. I love Next, Boden, White Stuff for "naice outifits" (and Asda for basics)

BUT I also sew a lot of my own clothes, using amazing fabric from Spoonflower. If you want something to really fit and flatter, it's worth learning to sew.

Bedforme · 09/02/2021 22:48

I prefer high street shopping to see the material and colour. I didn't mind taking home a couple of sizes to try on as I would pass the store during my commute to return. It will make me that bit more sedentary- already have a job at a desk. Very sorry at the number of job losses.

I will just not enjoy online as much. May start out ok with brands that move online like Dorothy Perkins but then the quality would change. Tbh I’m not very good with independent boutique stores so will miss the chains and a drink in a coffee shop after.