Buying clothes online, anyone else get stressed with it?

[WeirdArchitecture]

I have purchased online over the years, quite a bit, but utterly loathe doing returns. So whenever I wanted to make a special purchase or drop a bit of money on something I would prefer to see in store.

It might just be me, but I can't always tell how something hangs, drapes, fits properly online, and some stores don't even list what size the model wears.

I know im boring, but I prefer White Company and places like Poetry for knits and fabrics as the colours tend to suit me. Rarely risk online though!

Anyone bought from Poetry before? How do they measure up on the models/sizing?

An example of why I hate online shopping - bought my fave leggings from M&S this week, same pair ive bought for 2 years, but this time the calf area seams are twisted and ruched, the quality has gone down the shitter. Stupidly I'd cut off the tags before wearing as I trusted they'd be great:(

Anyone else hate online shopping and fears more store closures?

The only bit I hate is there’s too much choice. Sounds facetious but I always spend way too long looking for something as there’s so much out there. It adds stress to something that ought to be enjoyable.

yes, I often end up with around 10 items in my basket and faff around trying to make up my mind for weeks until they sell out

It's frustrating, I've sent so many things back and having to wait ages for refunds, the models are 5ft 9 and size 8 so really hard to tell what it looks like on someone shorter and fatter. I've got a few nice pieces regardless though so overall I'm happy.

Absolutely! It's stressful, expensive and usually disappointing. I like to feel and see things, try them on and check the thickness and quality of the material. I can hold something up in a shop and know whether it'll fit me/ my kids but often go for the wrong size online and end up regretting it, but not quite enough to return them. I've bought things recently that I wouldnt look twice at in a shop. Annoying.

I don't even shop with Zara, mango, etc any more online because the photos pretty much hide the cut of the item. One cotton jumper I looked at had 6 photos and not one of them had the damn thing just lying flat.
every image had the model twisting around pulling the hem up and scrunching it.
im just not edgy enough for this shit.

can anyone tell me how Poetry measure up? Ive heard mixed reviews on quality.

Agree. I will buy tops online , but nothing with a waist - so haven't bought any skirts or trousers. And certainly no footwear. I would normally have to try on several shoes/boots before buying.
Hate buying things and them not fitting.
Even some of the tops have had to go back.

but with more and more brands focusing on online purchasing, and several more store closures in many towns and cities, is this the future do you think?

I’ve got some Poetry stuff. It’s pretty good quality, similar to the White Company. I like the hemp and cotton, the pure linen is a bit thin and rough. I do think it’s very expensive, I buy in the sale. Size wise it’s on the generous side but I think that’s just the style, loose and floaty.

I find the sizes all over the place. I'm only buying clothes that are essential online because I never know if they are actually going to fit or not. I miss trying on things in shops.

Its so difficult buying clothes online. I always need to buy more than one size. Also hate having to pay for delivery and returns. I just ordered about 10 bras in the hope that one fits.

Poetry came up quite generous on me

I’m a size 12-14 (at 6ft), I am a 12 in M&S, an M in White Company and a 12 in Toast and Seasalt, a 14 in lots of other places. Size 34C bra for reference

I get poetry in a 12 (it’s meant to be loose fitting, most of it anyway)

I like their stuff but bit expensive for me, sadly!

It stresses me out as I spend ages trying to figure out the fit, wondering whether to bother. I know the chances of something being right are slim. In normal times, I’d try and visit a shop to check out an item I’d seen online and usually rule it out within thirty seconds, whereas by post you have to order, pay, wait, then more often than not return, so all the packaging up and form filling and PO visits.

There’s just not enough information a lot of the time. You’d think there’d be full measurements for a start, eg length of tops. I’ve seen better efforts from eBay sellers. It’s like they would prefer not to bother to give sufficient detail and deal with unnecessary returns instead. Videos help, but not pictures of models sitting down, hiding half the garment, or with something shown only tucked in and not out. Why do I have to try and work out where something will fall on me just by being told how tall the model is?

I ordered a top from ASOS that was nice except about half as long as it needed to be. Straight back it went. Not much fun.

In normally times I was ok with online shopping, but with shops shut now forcreturns not so much.

I bought a few things online from M&S that was ok but nothing like I imagined. I did keep them as they was basic essentials like a tunic dress and leggings.

I went into M&S late at 8pm and was far more productive. I will miss ordering from Debenhams and returning to store.

Clothes shopping used to be fun. It's a chore now

Thanks for the info and thoughts everyone.

I too think Poetry is inordinately expensive, but im so particular about what I like that it is difficult to ignore it. Im one of those who suit the pale, beige, washed-out thing and it is difficult to find it in decent quality in most stores.

I tend to only purchase a few items per year, and im happy re-using what I buy for years to come, so I don't mind paying a bit extra when I do shop.
That said, I think almost everything is overpriced nowadays unless it's handmade or strictly sourced.

I used to like browsing shops. Searching online just doesn't compare. I could tell almost immediately, when standing in front of a mirror with it whether it was worth even going into a changing room. I think I really hate online shopping and that has helped me to almost quit buying clothes. In fact it has possibly made me even more reticent to spend. For some this might be a good thing, but when I DO find something I like it tends to be stupidly expensive. Typical!

@ConeHat

In normally times I was ok with online shopping, but with shops shut now forcreturns not so much.

I bought a few things online from M&S that was ok but nothing like I imagined. I did keep them as they was basic essentials like a tunic dress and leggings.

I went into M&S late at 8pm and was far more productive. I will miss ordering from Debenhams and returning to store.

Clothes shopping used to be fun. It's a chore now

I bought the 'go move' leggings in regular length. I am only 5'4 and they're halfway up my ankle. Sadly the seams are twisted and I had pulled off the tags too hastily. These were great leggings and I have bought them regularly over the pst few years. It seems the quality has gone to shit but the price stays the same!

At least the online photo's aren't as confusing as Zara. It's almost as if they're deliberately hiding what the clothes look like.

I miss having a good mooch around the shops. I like to see and feel clothes before buying.

I have long arms and legs, and sizing is very important. I agree that most online clothes sellers just don't give enough information on their websites.

I work for an online seller (not clothes) and getting a full specification for everything we sell is so important.

Me. White Company returns are the worst and they take forever to refund.
My resolution after the pandemic is to stop online shopping except for the kids and get back in real shops!

What I don't like is when they don't give the length of a skirt but instead describe it as "calf length" or something. I'm short so it's unlikely to be calf length on me.

I found Poetry came up really large and had to return the stuff I ordered. It's a shame because the colours are perfect for us soft season colour types. Have you tried Wrap? Their stuff is similar to Poetry and I did find it fitted a bit better.

@Oly4

Me. White Company returns are the worst and they take forever to refund. My resolution after the pandemic is to stop online shopping except for the kids and get back in real shops!

I would love to do that, but hope there is still something resembling a decent amount of store left. A lot of my faves are already only in London and I am in Cumbria!

Yes, we want exact measurements!

If a dress is 95 or 100cm it’s a good length on me. If it’s shorter it’s too short on my frame, if it’s longer than 119cm it’s too long to consider

Easy

@NutsaboutFruit

What I don't like is when they don't give the length of a skirt but instead describe it as "calf length" or something. I'm short so it's unlikely to be calf length on me.

I found Poetry came up really large and had to return the stuff I ordered. It's a shame because the colours are perfect for us soft season colour types. Have you tried Wrap? Their stuff is similar to Poetry and I did find it fitted a bit better.

Thank you for the info about Poetry. Although they supply garment measurements, I would love to know how useful that is when they can show most items from the rear. Like Plumo, they're asking me to take a giant leap of faith just to bother putting something in the basket. They don't even state what size the models wear.

Will check out Wrap, thanks!

If we are stuck to buying online for some outlets maybe we could start a list of which online retailers are better at specifying measurements. For me skirt/dress lengths, arm lengths and leg lengths are really important.

Woolovers has comprehensive sizing charts for example.