To my regional readers, housebound mothers of small children, credit card companies and/or to anyone who hates the act of shopping itself in those caves of hell [change rooms], hold onto your mouse pads, it’s time to become shopping bandits on the world wide web.
Please welcome with open wallets- online shopping- the latest phenomenon overtaking the Internet- ok so it may not be that new... but it's growing incredibly like a prepubescent tween. It’s a completely different story. No trudging around, no change-rooms, everything you could wish for at your fingertips. No cringe returns, easy price and style comparisons, and you can even do it in your PJs (bonus!).
A couple of years ago, online shopping was such a novelty. Clicking away at every buy in a virtual tapestry, it seemed almost strange. And at one point, seemed just a “phase” “exclusive” to IT nerds or to those too fearless to click away using their credit cards.
Nowadays, in Australia, perhaps more than anywhere, the phenomenon has changed our fashion life. Whether it be splurging on eBay binges, amazon.com bargains or net-a-porter luxe items, there’s something addictive about getting those brown paper packages in the mail. And they keep coming. And coming, including the ones with the things that you forgot you bought because it was 3am and you were sleep shopping.
How things have changed. The world of online shopping is growing each year and new boutiques are launching at a rapid rate. Forget flying to Paris and trawling one Chanel boutique after another in search for the classic quilted pouch bag. Click, click, click and it’s yours in a day or two.
A lot of the appeal of online shopping lies in its convenience and time efficiency. Not everyone lives near a fabulous store, particularly in rural areas. Successful career women working long hours have less time to go out shopping. For them, online means five minutes in a lunch hour. No need to fight crowds nor put up with pushy sale assistants who are chronic liars, claiming, “it looks so nice on you!” when really honey, quit with the hard sell would you?
On the other hand of course, you don’t have the “super” sale assistants, either. You can’t try items on or ask advice, say: “Can you bring me this in a blue and in a 10?” And essentially, you can’t take your friends to an online fashion house and make a day of it.
But one of the most exciting things about online shopping is the packaging. There is something old-fashioned and charming about getting a parcel in the post, all done up with ribbons and tissue and hand-written thank you note- ironic considering we’re talking about the way of the future.
Booming in the 90’s, the Internet has become second nature to most Australians. As a true generation Y poster girl myself, I communicate almost entirely via the web (email, iChat, Skype, BlackBerry). Belonging to social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, watches movies and sitcoms online, downloads all her music, and like a quarter of genY’s, write my own blog. If this conjures a vision of some harried young girl glued to her laptop, then you have the idea. Throw in my Apple Macbook and iPhone for good measure.
However, before you let this “super- technology- dependent” way of life disgrace you, consider this: I find myself an informed, culturally present and relatively well-dress individual all due to my technologically savvy habit.
Thanks to my online addiction, before magazines hit the news stands, collections are released in stores and become office gossip I know all about the latest designer collaborations and upcoming fashion “IT” girls.
I know which model will star in which new season campaign and what will be happening on Gossip Girl next week and perhaps the best part is that this all-consuming quest for pop-culture knowledge has led me to some of my most advantageous fashion buys.
&& just quietly, my favourite sites include:
asos.com [ridiculously cheap unique pieces]
net-a-porter.com [for those luxurious designer pieces]
outnet.com [discount designer items]
solestruck.com [shoes, glorious shoes]
shopmarkethq.com [think mink pink, wildfox, nookie]
bookdepository.co.uk [if you're a self professed nerd like me]
Enough about me though my point is ladies, the next time you are standing in front of a bursting wardrobe wondering what the hell you’re going to wear, get online. Enter the virtual tapestry of beautiful fabrics, unique designs, up to date trends and styles and bargain price tags- all at the click of a button.
So Take some time to indulge- sit down at your laptop in your comfiest pyjamas with a mud mask and a sweet chai latte by your side- oh and don’t forget your credit card, or the daddy bank. Whichever works for you? Happy shopping!
[image source: tumblr.com & googleimages.com]
Gros bisous
wwndie xxx
