Before buying clothes online, it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons. Below are just some of the reasons why and why not to buy clothes online.
Pro: You can go shopping anytime from anywhere
Buying clothes online is convenient. Physical stores have limited opening hours and not all of us can find the time to visit them.
Online stores on the other hand are open all hours and you can browse them without having to leave the house.
Pro: Great deals
Online stores don’t have the same overheads that physical stores have. This means they are able to price items of clothing much lower than physical stores. You can find many great deals online and it’s easier to compare prices of lots of different stores.
Just bear in mind that items under £5 can sometimes work out more expensive online than in-store due to delivery fees.
Con: You can’t try them on
In a physical store, you can try on clothes to make sure that they fit right and that they feel comfortable. When shopping online, it can be more of a gamble as to whether the clothing will look and feel good.
Maybe one day we’ll be able to try on clothes virtually using AR changing rooms. But even then, you won’t be able to feel the texture or get a truly accurate idea of what you look like.
Con: Making returns is more tricky
Sometimes it’s less effort to return clothes to a physical store than it is to return them to an online store.
Return policies on clothes can sometimes be quite strict as to put off fraudulent refunds and chargebacks. Not being able to return clothing easily can be an issue if you buy clothes that don’t fit or you don’t like.
Pro: Variety
A big advantage of shopping online is that there’s so much variety! From unique womens designer dresses to bespoke shoes, you can find it all online.
Selections in local stores may be quite limited in comparison - which could be no use if you’re looking for very specific, unique items of clothing.
Pro: It’s better for discreet purchases
Many of us get embarrassed when buying certain clothing like lingerie. Shopping online prevents you from having to interact with other people. Some companies will also make sure not to label the box so that only you know what is inside.
Con: The environmental impact
Shopping online can be more harmful to the environment because transporting it to your address produces more carbon emissions.
This is particularly the case when buying clothing from other countries. This is something to consider if you are trying to be more environmentally friendly.
Con: You may get scammed
Online sites come with various risks. The product in the photo may look nothing like the actual product when it arrives. Or your card details could end up being stolen.
Buying from trusted sellers on trusted sites can reduce these risks, but it’s still possible to get scammed even on sites like Amazon. This can put some people off shopping online.
Do you like buying clothes online? Tell me your thoughts in the comments!
Love, Sarah xoxo
