Have you seen those cute online advertisements for clothing brands you’ve never heard of?
Whenever I’m online the marketing algorithms go into overdrive to serve up unique clothing ads from businesses I’ve never heard of. Most of the time I try to go past them – but sometimes my curiosity wins out. Here’s my process:
Evaluate the Companies
If I’m intrigued, I go to the website (it’s probably this behavior that makes them KEEP coming to me!) and check out their customer service contact and about information.
- Company Location: If the site doesn’t provide country information, I don’t buy from them – ever. Most sites are clear about being based in China or Taiwan.
My logic is this:
- Most clothing is manufactured in Asian countries these days.
- Some of them are modifying designs of brands I love and others have in-house designers.
- Their access to design and material are largely the same as US designers.
- Purchasing directly from the supplier (or closer to them) is a big part of what keeps the cost low since there is such a high markup on clothing.
- Clothing in brand name stores has become so generic that it’s hard to show off “style” which is what I think fashion is for.
2. Shipping: I’ve found that clothing prices may be cheap but it’s expensive to ship. Sometimes shipping is covered and sometimes it’s not. It’s also good to manage your expectations. You aren’t likely to receive your goods quickly. It’s not unusual for it to take several weeks to a couple of months to get goods, especially now.
3. Return Policy: If you are dissatisfied with a product, you aren’t likely to get customer service. Just be warned. If they ARE willing to take returns, you are probably paying return postage as well. At that point it makes sense to just keep the item for the additional cost.
4. Reviews: I read reviews on their site (often the grammar is pretty amusing and if it’s universally bad, I walk away because it’s pretty clear that it’s not US based reviews). I also look for independent reviews of their clothing to see if any one else has issues with quality, sizing, or customer service.
5. Clothing Size: If you are going to order from overseas, you have to check, double check, and triple check the size charts. If there isn’t one, probably a good idea to walk away. Many of the sizing descriptions have disclaimers about their sizing which is often a measurement of several centimeters. Do NOT use the US number sizing we are used to. Most of these designs are modeled initially on Asian bodies. They are simply smaller and shaped differently.
6. Models in Photos: Do they have any models in photos that have a similar body type to you? I really love sites that share the basic measurements of the model and the size they are wearing. It’s really helpful to management expectations.
7. The Overall Site: I mostly look for general English structure and grammar on the site. If they are targeting a US market, then it’s worth the paying the extra money to have their translation done well. Most of them are pretty clearly put through a sub par translation algorithm. They can be funny to read – but don’t buy from them.
Be Honest
This note is more for myself than anyone else – but be honest about your measurements. Not what you want to be or what you used to be – the measurements you are. And then pad a little. I always assume if I’m buying from one of these sites, I will NOT be returning the item. Better to buy big if you think you’ll like it. It may still be less expensive to take the clothing to a tailor (or adjust it yourself like I would) than to buy other things.
Buyer Beware
When you are buying inexpensive clothing, one of the first places costs get cut is in the lining. Meaning: they are usually not lined. It needs to be produced in the most efficient manner possible so that’s the fewest pieces of fabric (which results in a less refined and fitted garment) and minimal seam work (which means more overlocking stitching, more raw edges, typically nothing refined).
I will emphasize again to size up. I have NEVER had an article of clothing be too big. Often too small but never ever too big. Even though I go through all of these checks, it doesn’t always work out.
For the purpose of this article, I purchased clothing in the size the website indicated would fit. My next two blogs will cover what the outcome was. The first will be fails and the second will be successes. I’m pleased to say that I had more successes than failures – but I’d like to think that’s also in part due to my due diligence outlined above.
Do you shop at any online off-shore clothing sites?? I’d love to hear what they are. Leave them in the comments below and let me know what your experience was!
