Author: Drew

Although weddings have had to be postponed this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic you may still be thinking about the outfit you will wear for a wedding when the restrictions are lifted, and life can return to some form of normality.

Online shopping has increased enormously in recent times but shopping for clothes online can be extremely frustrating as sizes vary such a lot from brand to brand and the fabric is sometimes not as expected. The cost of items bought from stores online can also increase due to delivery charges with some companies charging you if you need to return purchases.

Some people might turn to charity shops to look for a bargain but as charity shops are not open at the present time, a worthwhile alternative to buying a new outfit is to look on social media marketplace and other sites that sell pre-owned items. Wedding outfits are often sold on these sites and it may be possible to pick up a bargain. The cost of buying your wedding clothes will be greatly reduced and accessories such as fascinators and handbags can be sourced in the same way.

Another alternative is to ask friends and family if you could borrow an outfit as we tend not to wear the clothing that we have worn to a family wedding again. You could even swap outfits with friends that are the same size as you making a saving for you and your friends.

With the online retail industry seeing a huge spike in sales, it is likely that many items of clothing will need to be returned. When buying online it is very important to read up on the returns process and any associated costs. If for example you buy one item from a retailer which costs £20 but you need to also pay delivery of £4, if the item doesn’t fit and you need to return it you may need to pay another £3-£4 postage which means it will have cost you eight or nine pounds for nothing. This can very quick add if you are not careful so it is important to think carefully before ordering.

Many retailers that also have physical shops will allow you to return the item to their store free of charge. Although this cannot happen at the moment, a lot of the retailers are extending their returns policy to allow items to be returned in store when they are open again.

Some retailers will offer free returns which is great, just be sure to check how long you have and allow enough time to return your item prior to the deadline.

With so many of us stuck in our homes and not being able to go out for some retail therapy, many of us are turning to online shopping to feed our shopping addictions. Some retailers have stopped trading altogether where are others are only offering a click and collect service or home delivery only.

So, is now the right time to be buying clothing? If you need clothing i.e you have no summer clothes or your jeans are getting a bit tight for you, then yes it probably is right to buy more clothing but if it is just to fulfil your shopping habits then you may need to think very carefully before splashing out too much. There is so much uncertainly with jobs etc that you really don’t want to be spending a lot of money at the moment until you can work out a new budget.

If you are buying online then you need to allow a bit longer for the delivery as essential items are often being prioritised over nonessential items. You may also struggle to return the items if you are self-isolating so be sure there is plenty of time and ideally that returns are free.

If you have a special occasion on the horizon and need to shop for a new outfit, consider using a personal shopper to save time and frustration. Many people do not realise that taking advantage of the offer of a personal shopper is a free service and does not come with any obligation to buy anything in store.

Firstly, the appointments can be booked online so it can be at a date and time to suit you. When the time arrives for your appointment you will be met by your personal shopper who will take you to a private changing room and will discuss with you any ideas you may already have about your outfit and your available budget. They will then go into the store and bring you a selection of outfits for you to try. It is helpful that should you need a different size your shopper will get this for you without you needing to worry.

Once you have decided on your outfit your personal shopper will help you to choose accessories such as shoes, handbag and jewellery if you wish, offering advice if required

So, if you have been reluctant to use this service in the past it is certainly worth giving it a go.