When shopping for clothes, there are many benefits to doing so online. From being able to shop 24 hours a day to having access to a wider range of brands to returning clothing that doesn’t fit, there are many reasons people choose to buy clothes online.
Save Energy
Whether you’re lounging on the couch, shopping from your car, or on lunch break at work, online shopping gives you freedom and accessibility to shop whenever, wherever.
Plus, it’s a great way to avoid crowds at your favorite boutique or the mall. But there’s a downside: online shoppers’ energy usage can be surprisingly high. A study by the U.K.’s University of Manchester focused on the “last mile” of delivery — the last step of sending an item from the warehouse to your doorstep.
The results were shocking: a shopper’s carbon footprint remained steady during checkout, but their emissions skyrocketed when they traveled to the store and returned home.
The good news is that there are ways to mitigate this impact. By searching coupon sites, downloading a phone app, or installing a browser extension, you can easily save money on your fashion purchases.
When shopping for clothes, it’s also important to consider size and fit. Many clothing labels give sizing instructions on their websites or in stores, so if you need clarification about what size to buy, consider looking up particular dimensions online.
Additionally, comparing products from several retailers is a good idea to ensure you get the best price and quality. Finally, sign up for email notifications from your favorite clothing stores to be notified of sales and new arrivals.
Save Time
The average person only has a set amount of money they can afford to spend on clothes. Shopping with ASOS coupons and sales helps them get the most out of their budget by allowing them to purchase more clothing articles for the same price.
The extra savings can also be used to pay for other necessary expenses. Many shoppers like to shop for clothes during the off-season when prices are much lower.
For example, purchasing a lightweight sundress in February or May will save you a lot of money compared to the price you would pay for the same dress during summertime.
You can also find great deals on seasonal clothing when stores try to clear out the last of their inventory before switching to the fall/winter line.
You can also score amazing deals on clothes by going to discount stores and consignment shops. These stores often price items 60 percent to 90 percent less than department or retail stores.
By purchasing inexpensive shop gift cards online, you may also save money. Lastly, sticking to your budget when shopping for clothes online is important. Only spend what you can afford, and if you must use a credit card, make sure you can pay off the balance in full when it comes due.
If you prefer to hand over cash, consider using a debit card that offers cash-back rewards or one of the buy now, pay later options.
Save Money
Coupons can save shoppers a significant amount of money on their clothes purchases. Whether they are looking to buy everyday apparel or specialty fashion pieces, some websites can help consumers find coupons for the brands they love.
These sites also offer helpful features like one-click checkout and an easy search function. Another way to save money on clothing is to shop for items in season.
Stores typically bring in new merchandise and mark down older styles when they prepare for the next season. As a result, shoppers can often find great deals on summer styles when they debut in February and then again during Memorial Day or Labor Day sales.
In addition, many retailers, including high-end ones, will negotiate their prices for customers. For example, if a customer notices a small tear or loose thread on a garment, they can ask the store to lower the cost.
Another way to save money on clothing is to purchase generic items instead of name or designer brands.
Although purchasing generic items may not sound appealing to some, plenty of reputable manufacturers make quality clothes. For instance, a white tee shirt doesn’t need a logo to provide good coverage and protect against sun damage.
By putting the kibosh on shopping sprees and instead opting for generic or bargain brand items, shoppers can put more cash in their pockets that can be used to pay off debt or fund other goals.
Save the Environment
While some may argue that online shopping is less sustainable because of all those delivery trucks driving around, experts say it’s more eco-friendly than purchasing in-store.
The main factor that makes shopping online more sustainable than brick-and-mortar purchases is e-commerce’s lower carbon footprint in the delivery phase.
Buying clothes online is often shipped in multiple boxes and must travel a long way from their warehouse to your home. And, if you are a frequent shopper, this increases the amount of packaging and shipping emissions.
Plus, if you’re like most people and tend to return items a lot (between six and 30 percent of returns are sent back to retailers), this can add even more to your environmental footprint as it means extra shipping and handling.
However, there are ways to make your online shopping more sustainable, including making fewer purchases, ordering clothes you know will fit, and avoiding adding things to meet free-shipping thresholds.
Another option is to shop with brands known for sourcing and producing ethically made products. You can also research and learn more about companies to ensure they care about the environment and their workers.
Finally, try to buy second-hand clothes. It saves money and helps prevent new clothing waste by diverting unwanted garments from landfills.
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