Sweater-J.Crew c/o thredUp (similar, similar) | Tee-JCP (similar, similar) | Jeans-Gap (similar, similar) | Flats-Tory Burch c/o Shopbop (similar, similar) | Bag-c/o Greg Michaels (exact)
As a busy mom, I don’t often have time to go take shopping trips. Any time I spend at the mall or stores is limited so I often only have a chance to visit one store per trip. How to I manage to find items to add to my closet each month? I shop online! I think there are a lot of pros to shopping online and I am sharing some today. Do you shop online? You should! Read on to see why!
1. Ebates
Have you tried Ebates yet? Basically you get money back for online shopping on certain sites. I know. It kind of sounds like a hoax, but I have been using it for two years now and 7 checks later I’ve gotten over $200 back in purchases I would have made anyway. Almost every website I shop through provides an ebates percentage back. Just install the button on your Bookmarks Bar to help remind you when to use ebates. It flashes red on a site that uses ebates and flashes green when you are signed in to receive your percentage back. Every 3 months you get a check in the mail. You can still use all the promo codes you want so there really isn’t a disadvantage (unless you forget)! Use this code to sign up and get a $10 cash bonus! At stores like Target and Kohls I often shop online through ebates then choose the “Pick Up In Store” option. I still get my cash back from ebates and it’s ready for me to pick up when I head to the store!
2. Try on in comfort of your own home
Sick of the tiny space in dressing rooms? Are stores too cold for you to contemplate undressing? Shopping at home lets you try clothing on in the comfort of your own home. And it’s easier to get opinions from your husband too because at least he can be watching the football game while he’s waiting for you to show him your latest purchases!
3. Often have more sizes available and additional size options (Tall, Petite, etc)
I wear popular sizes and they are often out of stock in store. Petite and Tall sizes aren’t often fully stocked in stores either. Instead of visiting multiple stores to find what you want, try shopping online. Because stores have warehouses and multiple locations to pull from you are more likely to find the size that will fit you best. Because stores stock items based on geographic area, you might be missing out on certain styles as well. Take a look online to get the full range of styles, sizes, and options available at a store.
4. See how it looks in ‘real’ lighting
The lights in fitting rooms are never good. And those clothes just don’t look the same once you get them home. Check out how the item looks in your own home or even outdoors and make sure the shade and fit are flattering!
5. See how it mixes and matches with your clothing
How many times have you purchased something thinking it would go with items in your closet only to get home and discover the coloring is totally off? Ordering online allows you to try on an item with multiple pieces from your own closet to figure out if it’s really worth adding to your wardrobe and will be versatile enough for what you want.
6. Save on gas
Ordering online will save you money on gas. Occasionally there are shipping charges, but often by using promo codes (try this site to find some) or minimum amount=free shipping you can avoid those. Even if you drive to a store to return items you didn’t want, you still are driving less than if you would have purchased the item, driven home, only to decide you don’t want it after all and had to drive it back to the store for a return. Make sense?
Sweater-J.Crew c/o thredUp (similar, similar) | Tee-JCP (similar, similar) | Jeans-Gap (similar, similar) | Flats-Tory Burch c/o Shopbop (similar, similar) | Bag-c/o Greg Michaels (exact)
7. Saves time
Walking all over the mall and driving to multiple store locations to find what you want can be so time consuming! I certainly love shopping, but I definitely don’t have the time anymore! It takes minutes to browse stores online for items you like. If you are looking for a specific item, like a black cardigan, you can check quickly to see if they have what you like or try websites like Shopstyle that search multiple stores at a time. Shopstyle even has an app now that you can use to shop with on your smart phone or tablet!
8. Online only stores
If you don’t shop online you might be missing online only stores that don’t have a brick and mortar location. Some of my favorite boutiques and stores are only online. There are so many cute items to be had!
linking up with What I wore, Oh Hey Girl, and Whatcha Wearing Wednesday, The Wednesday Pants, Color and Grace,Jersey Girl, Texan Heart, Thursday Fashion Files What I Wore to Work, Spotlight Weekly, Happiness at Midlife, The Red Closet Diary, High Latitude Style