How to Shop Online Like a Pro: Tips and Tricks To Score Styles You’ll Love

Published by

Sonja Henrikssen

3 years ago

Shop the Look: Perfect Practice Taupe Houndstooth Blazer, Katari Off White Pointed-Toe Knee High Boots, Let’s Go Out Later White Braided Crossbody Bag

It may sound simple, but there is far more to online shopping than meets the eye. When it comes to making sure you have the best digital shopping experience, there are a few things you should know beforehand. Keep reading for our top tips for clothes shopping online!

Filter Like a Pro

Shop the Look: (clockwise from top center)Spirit Fawn Suede Pointed Toe Ankle Booties, Reneay Black Suede High Heel Ankle Booties, Ottava Off White Tweed High Heel Booties, Luglyn Bone Color Block Suede Pointed-Toe Ankle Booties, Ottava Bone High Heel Booties, Spirit Black Snake Pointed Toe Ankle Booties

Using filters will both cut down your shopping time and prevent heartbreak if you find something you love that’s out of budget or doesn’t come in a size that fits you. Most online stores will let you filter by style, size, color, and price.

Filtering by size can streamline your shopping experience. First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure you know your sizes. Since different brands have different measurements for their sizes, you might find yourself switching sizes between companies. This is totally normal, though it can be incredibly inconvenient.

Shop the Look: Flirtatious Fit White Floral Print Puff Sleeve Mini Dress, (similar) Oh My Darlin’ Sage Green Print Puff Sleeve Mini Dress, Flirtatious Fit White Puff Sleeve Mini Dress, Blooming Bouquet Yellow Floral Lace-Up Tie-Front Mini Dress

Consider finding an online store’s size and fit tab, so you make comparisons and decide which size is more likely to fit you. This can save loads of time if you avoid the tedious process of trying on clothes, deciding it’s the wrong size, shipping it back, and waiting for the exchanged item.

If you are casually browsing, feel free to leave as many filters on or off as you’d like. However, if you’re looking for something specific, those filters will be your best friend. Most sites allow you to apply multiple filters at once, so if you’re looking for a small, black blazer under $50, filters will get you there much faster than if you were just aimlessly scrolling.

Do Your Research

Shop the Look: Snowy Sensation Berry Pink Double Breasted Coat, Straight Up Black High Rise Raw Hem Denim Jeans, Warm Glow Ivory Fuzzy Button-Up Cardigan Sweater, Olivia Rose Pink Multi Plaid Scarf, Essex Bone Mid-Calf Booties, Let’s Go Out Later Black Braided Crossbody Bag

How familiar are you with what you’re shopping for? Most people aren’t experts on fabrics, but taking a little time to know the fit and feel of different clothing materials can make for a better shopping experience as well. For example, spandex has more stretch than wool, and wool is thicker than spandex. Depending on what you’re looking for, these qualities could be the determinant in what item you go for.

To figure out what you like, simply dig through your closet and find your favorite comfortable clothes. Check the label to see what material it is, and then you can shop for clothes of the same fabric from there.

Shop the Look: Snow Into You Brown Color Block Turtleneck Pullover Sweater, Wedgie Icon Fit Black High-Rise Ripped Straight Leg Denim Jeans, It Girl Essentials Chocolate Brown Crocodile Embossed Handbag

One of the downsides to online shopping is that you can’t try on clothes before making the purchase, so you won’t know what your item feels like until it ships to your home. Doing a little research beforehand can waste less time and give you a better idea of what feel you’re getting before you buy.

Additionally, looking at reviews is a great way to judge the quality of an online store’s products. Reviews that include photos can always help, but even just written ones can give you a better idea of what a product looks like in real life and on different bodies. Fitting rooms may not be a possibility with online shopping, but the internet has made it much easier to find reviews for the products you’re considering.

Pssst: if you’re looking for Lulus reviews, we already have a Top Rated page for our best-selling items.

Find Your Inspiration

Shop the Look: Favorite Festivities Rust Orange Ribbed Knit Cuff Sleeve Sweater, Fashionable Babe Rust Brown Satin Pleated Midi Skirt

Whether it be the people you’re around in real life or the posts you scroll through on social media, there are millions of sources of clothing inspiration all around you. Don’t hesitate to borrow aspects from other people’s outfits or adopt a similar style. Own your look, but don’t be afraid to look outside of your own closet.

Shop the Look: Winter Dreams Beige Quilted Cropped Puffer Jacket, Sweet Season Black Ribbed Mock Neck Long Sleeve Bodycon Dress, (similar) Jadon White Leather 8-Eye Platform Boot; Image via @joandkemp

One way to branch out and expand your fashion interests is to keep up with fashion blogs. New trends and in-season styles are much easier to stay on top of if you’re following someone who keeps up with them for you.

Shop the Look: Choose Your Vibe Pink Plaid Shacket, Suspicious Mind Black Vegan Leather Paperbag Waist Shorts; Image via @micjanee

Social media is another easy way to stay up to date with trends and find new styles. TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest are all good places to start.

If you’ve got any styling questions, feel free to talk to one of Lulus Live Chat Stylists. No matter big or small, our team can answer your style questions.

Take Advantage of Discounts

Shop the Look: Top Row (left to right): (similar) Dorothea Black Knotted High Heel Sandals, Alvana Chocolate Woven High Heel Sandals, Brycen Camel High Heel Sandals, Kakee Light Nude Woven High Heel Sandals; Bottom Row (left to right): Keilani Blush Braided Strappy High Heel Slide Sandals, Cloyaa Off White High Heel Sandals, Sheenuh Black Satin Square Toe High Heel Sandals, Linea Light Nude Square-Toe High Heel Sandals

There are so many ways to save money when shopping online. This includes using an online coupon finder, like Honey, or signing up for rewards programs with the companies you shop with most often. In addition, there are seasonal sales to take advantage of from time to time, such as Black Friday or the day after Christmas.

Don’t fall for scam sales though! Sometimes a company will raise its prices to make it seem like you’re getting a discount—when in reality, you’re paying about the same as you normally would. This is where some of your additional research can come in. Learn the general price range of the article of clothing you plan on buying. Now that you’re a certified online shopping pro, go ahead anf put your skills to the test!

Did these online shopping tips help you? Show us what you scored on Instagram or TikTok @lulus using #lovelulus–and head to What’s New to shop the latest looks!