What modern fashionista doesn’t love online shopping? No crowds, no lines and no fighting over the last pair of Jimmy Choos. Plus, no boutique in the world can beat the web’s variety. Now, New York pin-up princesses can enjoy a California vintage queen’s designs while Seattle boho babes can receive a shipment of goodies from a Greenwich boutique.
However, the world of online shopping isn’t all sunshine and Marc Jacobs. There are plenty of pitfalls a girl could fall into. Here are some tips to make sure you’re safely and smartly shopping.
- Know your measurements. You’ve found the perfect holiday party dress and you’re about to confirm your order. Stop! Don’t touch that checkout button! Did you check your measurements first? Take a piece of yarn or a cloth tape measure and measure around your bust, your waist and your hips. Make sure the dress you’re ordering is suitable — and remember, it’s always better to go bigger than smaller. A tailor can work wonders at trimming a too-big dress down to your size.
- Go prepaid, not PayPal. PayPal is kind of like a middleman instead of a payment source. Instead, choose a prepaid card like the Reach prepaid card. You can set your paychecks up for direct deposit and there are no monthly fees — and it makes for a quick-and-easy checkout.
- Do your research. This is the digital age — there’s no reason to pay full-price for anything. Search for coupons. Use Google Shopping search to compare prices (but don’t forget to include shipping costs in the full price).
