Shopping Online: A Guide to Try-Ons and Clothing Returns

It finally happened: you made an online purchase, tried it on, and realized it was not for you. Whether it be the fit or look of the piece, it just isn’t clicking. Fear not! Any good online clothing store will have a return policy. 

However, there are often requirements for a garment to be eligible for return. Keep reading for some tips on trying on clothes so they qualify for a return policy if they end up not working out.

Keep Hems Clean

When you’re trying on longer items such as dresses or pantsuits, you’ll want to make sure the hems stay clean. Stained clothing can be a disqualifier for return policies. 

For example, Lulus return policy states we won’t accept clothes that have been obviously worn or washed, so making sure your garments don’t get stained to begin with is important. Garment blemishes include dust, dander, and dirt, and hems are a hotspot for those types of stains. 

Remove Pet Hair and Fibers

Sometimes, you just can’t help but get some hair on your clothes as you try them on, especially if you’re a pet parent. Try to avoid this by only trying on your clothes in a room where your pet doesn’t regularly go or that is freshly vacuumed or swept. 

Running your clothes over with a lint roller is a great remedy for stuck pet fur and other fibers. If you don’t have one on hand, a piece of tape will work just fine. 

Prevent Makeup Transfer

Makeup stains will also disqualify a piece from being return-eligible. When you’re trying on clothes, there is a large risk of your makeup rubbing off. The easiest solution is to remove your makeup before trying anything on. 

If you simply must wear makeup, avoid making contact with your face and clothes. The same policy goes for deodorant as well, so the safest bet is to try on clothes after your shower before applying anything. 

Do Not Remove Tags

Never remove clothing tags before you know you’re keeping it. Sometimes a company will let you make a return without the tags or if you keep the tags even if you removed them, but this is a gamble. The safest thing to do is just keep the tags on. 

Trying On Shoes

Shoes can show wear and tear on the soles as soon as you start wearing them, so try them out on a clean floor. Be careful not to scuff up your shoes, and be aware of carpet if the material of your shoes collects lint. Take care not to get the inner sole dirty either. 

If you need to return your shoes, make sure you include the original shoe box. This does not function as the shipping box, and you will need to have an additional one for that purpose. 

Trying On Swimwear

As is policy with other intimates, swimwear must have the hygienic liner on when you’re trying it on. For sanitary reasons, the liner must still be attached if you return it. For your own sanitation, wear underwear or shorts when trying on swimwear and other intimate apparel, and wash your purchase once you’ve confirmed that you want to keep it. 

Include Everything

Don’t forget to return any part of your items. If clothes come with extra buttons or a belt, that needs to be returned as well. Dust and garment bags must also be returned. If you forget to return these items, you may get declined and not be able to return your purchase. 

Skip The Fragrance

Don’t use any scented products while trying clothes–not until you are sure that you’re keeping them. Whether this is perfume or a fabric-specific scent, fragrances are a sign that your clothes have been worn/used and can disqualify them from return eligibility. 

Can You Return Items That Are Damaged?

If you cause damage to the item, it is not eligible for returns. However, if your purchase was damaged upon arrival (meaning you did not damage it yourself), that may very well be a different story.

If an item arrives damaged, you’ll want to reach out to the retailer’s customer service for assistance. 

How To Put a Return Label On Your Package

Make sure your label is clearly visible and not warped or distorted. This means placing your label on the largest clear surface of the box rather than wrapping it around the edges. You can print your label at home or get them from your local post office. 

How To Pack Return Packages

In addition to your (not shoe box) packaging and return label, there are a few other things to keep in mind. Neatly pack your return to ensure it won’t get damaged on the way back and include all the necessary components. Check with your postal service for any limitations on weight or dimensions. 

What To Expect/Refund Wait Time

You should receive your refund within 10-14 business days of us receiving your return, and you will be notified once it’s issued.

What Happens to Returned Items?

Depending on the retailer, returns are handled in different ways. At Lulus, we’re committed to offering quality products to our customers while also keeping sustainability in mind. We make sure that any product returned by customers is of the same brand-new quality as the product that is directly received by the manufacturer.

When returned items enter our facilities, they undergo an extensive Quality Control process by our returns team to ensure the returned items are free of any defects or damages. These products must be of brand-new quality with all tags present; any of those items that pass that process are repackaged and put back onto the shelves.

Any defect that is found in that process is taken out of our inventory, and the damaged item then goes through another QC process with a different team that is able to take more time to fix any issues with a bit more time and care. If they can fix any problems with the item and meet our high standards, this product is deemed worthy to restock.

Less-than-perfect items that have slight defects are resold at our outlet store in Chico, CA for a deep discount. (It is so well-liked in our community that it won a local award for being the best women’s clothier in the community!) If the item cannot be restocked or sold at the Outlet, the team determines the most appropriate and sustainable way to properly dispose, whether through donation or recycling.

Do you have questions about online clothing returns? Ask in the comments or reach out to Lulus customer service!