A Guide to Buying Designer Fashion Online

Getting your luxury fashion fix through the internet has its benefits. No long commutes, no waiting in lines, and enough choices to get your head spinning. At the same time, you can discover brands and pieces that you’ve never seen at the retailers, giving you more room to create fresh and unique ensembles. 

If you’re yet to take your first foray into designer fashion or simply haven’t tried buying clothes online yet, it helps to know a little about the ins and outs before getting started. With this in mind, we’ve put together a guide to helping you pick up designer fashion from the comfort of home. Here’s what you need to know.

Authenticity

It pays to do due diligence when buying from an unfamiliar site. Take some time to perform a bit of research and stick to reputable names, as knockoffs are rampant online. A rule of thumb is to avoid any site where the prices are simply too good to be true because they most likely are. Look for authorized retailers and those with customer reviews.

Fit

One of the biggest reasons why people are hesitant about online shopping is fit, especially given its importance when making large investments in garments or footwear. The last thing you want is to receive the wrong size and have to wait even more days, if not weeks, for a replacement to arrive. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to get around this. 

Knowing your measurements is a good start. This way, you can compare them with those on the listing to make a more accurate decision as to which size is right. 

With footwear, it’s a good idea to do a quick search on the sizing for the specific pair you’re looking to buy, as not all of them run true to size, especially among handmade shoes. You can also note down the regular sizes for the brands you’re shopping so that you have a reference. 

While these methods can help, there isn’t really a guarantee, which is why it’s important to shop at a store that has a reliable returns policy. This way, you can have peace of mind knowing that anything you buy will be replaced for free. 

Payment Options

Always check to ensure that the payment processor being used by the site you’re shopping on is safe and encrypted. Some payment methods are more affordable than others and better for filing chargebacks in case you run into any issues. The more options you have, the more likely it is the store is worth dealing with. 

Shipping and Customs

As long as you buy genuine products, you won’t have to worry about your shipments being seized by customs. However, buying abroad can mean high customs fees that come over and above whatever you paid for shipping. Larger orders can incur multiple taxes and duty fees as the move through borders, so be sure to consider this. 

Another important aspect to consider is shipping times. The shorter they are, the more likely it is that the site you’re buying from is working with a reputable shipping company. Of course, it also means that you won’t have to wait so long. Sometimes, faster shipping is worth the extra cost. 

Getting Started 

Are you new to designer fashion? Now that we know the basics of online shopping, we can take a look at some tips and advice about buying your first luxury pieces. 

Start by considering your priorities. Do you want something that will last? Are you looking to pick up an investment piece that speaks for your outfits? It’s not uncommon to start with shoes since they serve as the basis for all of your ensembles. Sneakers are a major trend right now and few, if any, are hotter than Fendi. 

You can find the full range of Fendi sneakers on SSENSE, which is one of the leading online designer and luxury fashion retailers in the US and UK. For instance, a pair of these can be worn by anyone, as they’re super versatile and comfortable. The website ticks all of the above-listed boxes, making it a good starting point for your designer clothing shopping sprees. 

Buy at the Right Time

As a bonus tip, it’s worth noting the importance of buying at the right time. By doing a bit of research, you can gain a better understanding of the pieces that are most likely to come in limited quantities. This way, you’ll know when you should aim to be one of the first to buy so that you don’t miss the chance. 

In the interest of saving a bit of cash, it naturally helps to wait for sales if you have the patience. The biggest specials usually come at the end of the season. 

Considering these points will go a long way in helping you enjoy your online designer shopping experience. Now it’s simply a matter of choosing what to buy. Good luck! 

All products featured on Gemma Etc. are PR samples or gifted items, unless otherwise indicated. This post may contain affiliate links. If you wish to find out more, please see my Disclaimer within my navigation bar.