If It Ships… Will It Fit? Women Campus's Guide to Online Shopping

Not every collegiette™  is lucky enough to be on a campus near a mall or shopping center.  Sometimes the only way to keep your wardrobe up to date is by shopping online. So if you find yourself stranded in College Town, USA or prefer to shop from your futon instead of out on the town, we've got your needs covered.

Let's face it, when you see that perfect LBD and your fingertips quiver over the mouse with anticipation, you WANT to buy! But then reality kicks in… you start thinking: Is it going to look as good on me as it does on the model? What size should I order?  Can I send it back if it doesn't fit?  And all of a sudden the thrill of the chase has turned into a worry-fest and the moment to purchase passes. 

Kiss those worries goodbye, girls.  Here are some tips on how to judge photos, evaluate reviews and save money while shopping online.

Picture Perfect

So often the first thing that grabs our attention is that tiny picture of a dress or top that stands out on the webpage.  But just one picture isn't always enough to sell you.  Websites try to create an online experience that mirrors seeing the dress in real life as much as possible. Forever 21 and Lulu's add a lot of picture variety with as many as nine photos per item.  While seeing the clothing on a model is helpful, the pictures can sometimes be misleading if your body type doesn't match the model's. 

In order to help you judge the picture, sites like ASOS and Forever 21 tell you a little bit about the model.  Under most pictures, they list the model's height and what size she is wearing.  You can compare your own height and size to hers in order to gauge how the item will fit you personally. 

ASOS has taken online modeling to a new level and features a runway video for each of their products.  This short clip features the model walking up and down the runway.  It's a great way to see the clothing in motion and watch for any red flags.

With all pictures, be on the lookout for unnatural model poses that don't accurately portray the fit of clothing. 

Your posture won't always be that hip-cocked, "skinny arm" stance, so you want to see a true image. LuLu's buyer Brittany Nicholls says the company tries to be as honest as possible with the pictures they post. "We don't do any pinning or tucking," she says. 

If you run into this situation and alternate views are not available, purchase with caution.  Never buy unless you can see a clear photo.

Getting Good Reviews

When a picture alone isn't quite convincing enough, consumer reviews are your next go-to resource.  For example, Urban Outfitters has a system where shoppers can rate the clothing overall on a five-star scale.  They also have an option to rate clothing based on fit, which gauges whether the item runs small, large or is "true to size".  Shoppers can also provide comments and feedback to help future buyers.  Nordstrom, GAP and ModCloth all feature similar rating systems.  ModCloth's fit rating system gets even more specific by rating length and quality as well. 

While these reviews can be very helpful and telling, it is important to take note of the volume of responses.  This will tell you how significant the feedback is.  A good review backed by a lot of votes should hold more weight than a poor review by a few unsatisfied customers. 

Beyond reviews on the retailer's site, blogs and distributors can be an excellent source of information.  It is definitely worth it to spend some time on Google and find independent sources.  This technique works best for a general search like a pair of Hunter rain boots or red pumps from ALDO. A simple Google search for the item can yield tons of results from fashion blogs to retail outlets. Blogs can offer helpful feedback and you may even find a distributor that offers the item for less. Be open-minded when searching for reviews online, because the best reviews can come from unexpected sources.

Shipping costs skyrocketing!

If shipping costs make you tighten those purse strings, see if there's a minimum order that will score you free shipping. Some stores like Forever 21 or GAP offer free shipping with a minimum order as low as $50. If that seems a little rich for your blood think about teaming up with roommates or friends to put together an order. If everyone picks out a must-have item you could reach $50 in no time!  Keep your eyes open for shipping specials.  Seasonal sales are usually accompanied by a discount on shipping, but might require a specific purchase such as shoes or a handbag (a.k.a. the perfect excuse to treat yourself to those flats you've had your eye on).

While each site offers its own deals, the bottom line is that you want to get the best bang for your buck. Websites like retailmennot.com compile coupons and deals from all your favorite stores. Retailmenot.com offers more than 485,000 coupons from 70,000 retailers.  Their top clothing stores are Victoria's Secret, Kohl's and JCPenney. 

Retailmenot.com also allows users to review coupons and comment on their success.  Check the coupons from your favorite store to keep up on what's working for other customers.  The best reviews to find are ones where other consumers share what they purchased with the coupon and the great deal they got. Who knows, maybe you'll be inspired to make a similar purchase at that low price!

Before making any purchases, it is always smart to familiarize yourself with the return policy. Return policies vary store to store, but the important things to know are the extent of refund, which items are returnable and how long you have to return them.  Some stores must have items returned in 15 days, while others like Zappos.com give you a full year.  Most of the time clearance items, jewelry and sunglasses are non-returnable.  Make sure that the item is returnable and know how long you have to send it back so you won't be disappointed.  Make a note in your calendar of the day you need to ship it back by, and make sure to save all the papers and receipts that come with the item since you might need to include those when you ship it back.  

Shopping in person or online at a store you're familiar with is certainly the easiest way to ensure you end up satisfied, but for all the times you can't, make sure to keep these tips in mind!

What are your favorite online shopping sites?  Leave a comment!