Doing a little online clothes shopping?

Doing a little online clothes shopping? Some tips… House of Colour

Please mention The Villager and Town Life when responding to adverts 32 By Jennie Billings, Colour and Style Consultant, House of Colour www.houseofcolour.co.uk/jenniebillings e:jennie.billings@houseofcolour.co.uk Yes, we’re all doing a lot more online shopping these days for almost everything. When it comes to clothes there are some things to consider when making those big decisions… 1) Flexible - As it’s tricky planning for our future needs…like are we still going to be working in an office? It’s best to buy for your lifestyle now. That doesn’t mean nothing, or just loungewear, but garments that work for you at home and in your current lifestyle. We need to think about flexibility. A jumpsuit could be a perfect option to freshen your wardrobe as its versatile enough for home or being more adventurous outside as rules permit! It’s also something that can be dressed up or down. Ensure the colours and the style still work for you so it will have longevity in your wardrobe. 2) Tailoring – it has been forecast as something of a trend for spring/summer but is not an ideal online purchase. Fit is so key with tailoring, and I’m talking jackets here, so unless you know the brand well steer clear. Jackets are still important, giving authority and depending on your role may be key in retaining professionalism online. Plus it helps us to prime our brain for work if we’re in work attire. 3) Be prepared to send it back! Sounds simple but so many of us just leave it. We then acquire this ‘stuff’ which clutters up our lives, damages the environment, not to mention the damage to our purse. If you know you don’t send things back then now is not the time to experiment online. 4) Try it on when you get it before removing any labels. You’ll know whether it’s right or whether it isn’t and then can organise a return. The longer you leave it the less inclined you’ll be to return it if it isn’t right. You also want to get maximum wear out of it so be keen to welcome it into your wardrobe – remove all the packaging as soon as you’re sure you’ll keep it. If you’re not actually that keen then perhaps it needs to go back? 5) Check the returns process before you buy. If the retailer relies on certain courier services or drop off points check that that is a viable option for you. It may not be at this time. 6) Colour online – colours can be really tricky to clearly identify online and some more so than others. Colour descriptions are not a failsafe either. Think whether the colour works with your existing wardrobe, can you see the colours working together? If you know your colour palette (through thorough colour analysis) you’ll understand that this is possible. How does the item you’re interested in contrast with others in the image being shown? If you’re not sure then don’t buy it unless you don’t mind returning it. 7) Be choosy – it’s tempting to look around online and feel that we ‘need’ something. But, is this something we are going to find useful in years to come? Or is it an impulse buy that isn’t really a wow on us? Wait a day or two and see if you still feel the same about an item before clicking on the ‘buy’ option.

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