As I continue my foray to Fashion Blog Land, I consistently find myself seething with jealousy at my bloggers in New York, Los Angeles, London or hell, any big city with a quality mall or two. I shake my head at their stories of gorgeous vintage finds at their fabulous secondhand stores or a taking a quick break and popping into Banana Republic during lunch.
It’s not an option where I live. To be fair, there is an outlet mall that is, for an outlet mall, amazing. However, sometimes I need something that’s a little higher quality than what the outlet mall provides. For that, I have to drive 45 minutes or more. And that pisses me off.
I’ve become a huge fan of online shopping. (Probably too much of a fan, if I’m honest.) Who doesn’t love a big package from J. Crew on their front stoop after a long day at the office? Online shopping only really works if you order from stores whose clothes you’re sure will fit. Case in point: I ordered four blouses and a skirt last week from The Limited. Everything fit – technically. But nothing fit perfectly, and I ended up having to return everything. I’ve done that with my favorite stores, too. It’s a pain.
Online shopping isn’t an alternative to shopping in person because there is nothing like trying clothes on. Feeling the softness of a sweater or the crispness of a blouse is one of the best parts of shopping. And forget jeans/bras/swimsuits/shoes – those, you HAVE to be in person to buy (or have to buy the exact size at the exact store that you know you fit into for it to work). How did I know that I actually went down a pants size? I tried the shorts on. And nearly screamed with happiness in the dressing room.
Finding quality clothing that suits budget, size and style continues to be a challenge for us small-towners. And it shouldn’t be. My town’s Old Navy only lasted a few years, and then the space got occupied with whatever craphole of a fireworks/Halloween costume store that decided to squat.
I’m sure online shopping has closed the gap between people in small towns and clothing companies. That’s great. But we need in-town options, too – preferably ones that do not have the words “deb”, “21″ and “mart” in them.
hamlet doesn't like to be ignored. not even during pseudo-photo shoots.
I live in the city and its still hard to buy stuff that no one else has. That why I resort to second hand stores (and its cheaper!!).
I SO wish I had that option. We have nothing secondhand here. I’m going to Arizona in a week, and I’m thinking about venturing out for my first vintage/secondhand shopping experience there.
I live in a town too, and it has one mall and that is it! i so understand what you are saying ! going to NYC was like Alice in wonderland with all the shopping! as for online shopping i buy accessories only ! coz my size varies with stores ( sigh privileges of being curvy )
awesome post
xoxo
http://typefashion.wordpress.com/
I am with you on the curvy size!! It’s part of the fun, right?
I’m getting ready to go to Arizona, and I can’t wait for all the shopping! Some people go to Arizona for the scenery, I go to get clothes.
Online shopping definitely has its advantages over the real deal, I think. I don’t do a lot of it because my card doesn’t work with online purchases so I have to put cash into my Paypal account in advance which is a long, irritating process. But when I have shopped online I’ve had the pleasure of really being able to consider it before buying. On top of that you can get to the sale stuff with just the click of a button, see everything at once without trawling through a packed out rail and you can avoid the crowds. Genius.
So true! Nothing like shopping in your PJs! It’s nice when you’re considering something expensive to think about it for a while. Online shopping is pretty much all I do during Christmas season. I HATE crowded malls.
I don’t live in a fashion capital, but I do live in a fairly large city… so I can’t complain too too much. But I went away for university to a small town, and relished the opportunity to come home and do some spending! There were very few options to shop at my university town, and like you said online shopping just isn’t the same. I love the experience of being in a store, meeting sales associates and learning how they’d style items… I found Urban Outfitters and The Outnet were really good at letting you know if an item fit large or if you should go down a size!
xx Elia
I live close-ish to better shopping. I just don’t think I should have to drive 45 mins to get to a quality mall! It is really nice finding helpful people when I shop. Snobby/stuck-up sales associates are the worst.
If it makes you feel any better, I do live in a city with a mall (at least one that has Macy’s, Loft, the Limited, and other halfway decent stores), and I never go. I shop almost entirely online via Anthropologie and eBay…and the bevy of private shopping sites like Rue La La, Ideeli, and HauteLook. Are you a member of any of those? If not, Facebook message me your e-mail address and I’ll send you some invites…my boss is actually the one who got me hooked!
I’ve tried them before and I never seem to find anything! Maybe I need to give them another chance? I’m already obsessed with online shopping as it is…
I can’t believe you never go to Loft! That seems like a store you would like, from my experience there.
Yeah, the private shopping sites are hit or miss. A lot of times I still can’t afford the stuff even though it’s 50-80% off! I probably didn’t make my first purchase for a month or so after signing up, but I’ve since gotten several things (including jewelry and home stuff) and been really happy with all of it.
As for Loft, I like a lot of their stuff but have a tough time with the sizing…most things there just doesn’t seem to fit me right!
(I can’t believe I just posted “most things just doesn’t…”. From one writer to another, please forgive me!)
Happens to the best of us. Forgiven and forgotten.
I have the same problem!! except I’m from Mexico, so I don’t even have the option of an online purchase because most of the time the store doesn’t ship here
What I hate the most, is that there’s a few stores, like Zara, so ALL the girls shop there, and you end up in a party with three girls using the same skirt that you own.
That happens in my town too. Online shopping helps but sometimes there’s nothing you can do about it. Thanks for the comment!
What a great post! (found you on IFB weekly round up). I live in L.A. but I’ve done my fair share of traveling to small towns and I can see where it would be really frustrating if you wanted clothes chicer than what can be found at Walmart or Big 5. On the other hand, the vintage shops and thrift store have some amazing stuff and it’s not expensive. Most of the vintage stores in my area only stock $500 dresses and stuff. It can get hard on the pocketbook.
Heather
Thanks so much for visiting, Heather! I need to get into vintage/secondhand shopping more. I’ve never ventured to Goodwill, but I’m thinking about it. I wish expensive dresses were what my town stocked!
Piperlime is the way to go. Free shipping and returns! Although nothing beat going into a store and seeing everything in person and trying it on.
Did you go to Phoenix when you visited AZ? Scottsdale Fashion Square is really good! I could (and have) spent all day there. I hope you got lots of great things!
Tina
http://www.fashiondynamite.com/
That mall is my FAVORITE! Absolutely the best mall I have ever been in. It’s magical.
Another great one if you’re ever back in that area is Kierland. It’s all outdoor, but it’s designed beautifully and every storefront has misters. I love Arizona.
Ooh! I’ll have to try Kierland next time I’m in Scottsdale. If it’s anything like Scottsdale Fashion, it must be heaven.
Tina
http://www.fashiondynamite.com/