# Women..Would You Buy Clothes ONline? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 2, 2003, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-buy-clothes-online/216525 "2003-12-02T16:52:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-buy-clothes-online/216525/1 "2003-12-02T16:52:32Z")
I ask becauseI wonder how many women would buy their clothes on line. All of the women I know like to see, feel, and try on clothes before they buy. Indeed, I think most women enjoy the shopping experience…something that is impossible on the internet. So, should I invest in these online retailers? Or have they reached their market peak? ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-buy-clothes-online/216525/2 "2003-12-02T17:03:57Z")
I buy online from Lands’ End, because I’m already familiar with their products and sizes. And I bought a London Fog trench coat online, because I couldn’t find what I needed in stores. But, yes, buying in-person is still prefered, so I can _try it on_, and check out the fabric and workmanship. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-buy-clothes-online/216525/3 "2003-12-02T17:11:13Z")
I hate hate hate the “shopping experience” and my life would be much nicer if I could do all my purchasing on line. I don’t buy clothing all that often, and sometimes I can’t wait for an online purchase to arrive (like the time I had to have something to wear to a funeral) But if I’m not in a rush, I’d rather click than head to any brick and mortar store. ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-buy-clothes-online/216525/4 "2003-12-02T17:15:49Z")
Most definitely! I do it all the time. I hate the shopping experience, too, and being able to shop from my desk is a big, big bonus. I have a few places that I know are of decent quality and reliable service, and I’ve gotten to know the way they size. I therefore don’t particularly worry if the fabric sucks or if it will fit. I know that generally their products will be to my liking. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-buy-clothes-online/216525/5 "2003-12-02T17:17:37Z")
Another one who buys online (who is, in fact, wearing a sweater bought online through Amazon as we speak). It’s no different than ordering from a catalogue – yeah, you have to return the item if it doesn’t fit, but that’s not really a big deal. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-buy-clothes-online/216525/6 "2003-12-02T17:19:51Z")
Another one who hates shopping. With fiery, fiery passion. I online shop as much as possible, but I will admit that I only do it with familiar brands whose sizes I know. For instance, I buy jeans online, but only because I know for a fact that Old Navy size 10 Long fit great. It’s pretty rare for me to buy anything when I am unsure of the fit – I only do that with safe things, like socks or sweatshirts. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-buy-clothes-online/216525/7 "2003-12-02T17:29:02Z")
I love shopping. I love shopping online. I’ve bought quite a bit of stuff; however, I’ve very lucky becasue I’m a “perfect size”. Not _ **THE** _ perfect size, mind, just a “perfect size” - my hip/waist/chest ratio is the same as the size model used by most manufacturers so stuff straight off the rack fits (or straight off the computer:) ) Anyhoo - I’m currently waiting for a Custo Barcelona shirt I ordered from e-bay to arrive. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-buy-clothes-online/216525/8 "2003-12-02T17:36:19Z")
I buy 95% of my clothes on ebay. _shrug_ ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-buy-clothes-online/216525/9 "2003-12-02T17:55:49Z")
My entire outfit was purchased on line. I hate shopping most of the time, and it just simplifies things for me. I find a few places that carry my size (2, but not petite – kinda hard to find) and I stick with 'em. BlueFly is kinda fun, but I’m a big fan of Victoria’s Secret. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-buy-clothes-online/216525/10 "2003-12-02T18:13:48Z")
I hate hate hate hate hate hate hate shopping, but I’m very hard to fit, so it’s virtually impossible to buy stuff online unless I’m buying a t-shirt or something. Oh well. ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-buy-clothes-online/216525/11 "2003-12-02T18:24:36Z")
I hate shopping for clothes. But because of the inconsistency of women’s clothing sizes, I HAVE to try on a lot of things to make sure they fit. (I can’t be having with returning stuff. I hate the hassle.) If I ever hit a style/size that I knew fit me for sure, I’d order it online in a heartbeat. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_Samaritan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bad\_Samaritan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_Samaritan)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-buy-clothes-online/216525/12 "2003-12-03T03:23:06Z")
I know someone who makes a moderate living selling women’s clothing on ebay. She says a lot of larger-sized women are embarrassed to shop in public for their own clothes so that’s the market she caters to. She actually buys her clothing at deep discounters like Ross & Marshalls (at retail), and adds a markup to her listing price. Do it in volume and and include some profit in shipping charges -and apparently you can make an adequate income. What doesn’t sell within a month, you take back to the store for a refund. Some items like larger-size prom dresses are a huge profit item for her (timed appropriately). TMI? ---
**Author:** ![Melandry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Melandry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melandry)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-buy-clothes-online/216525/13 "2003-12-03T03:46:03Z")
I’ll buy from LL Bean, Lands End, pretty anyone I would buy through via catalog. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-buy-clothes-online/216525/14 "2003-12-03T07:19:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Archergal \* > \*\*I hate shopping for clothes. But because of the inconsistency of women’s clothing sizes, I HAVE to try on a lot of things to make sure they fit. (I can’t be having with returning stuff. I hate the hassle.) > > If I ever hit a style/size that I knew fit me for sure, I’d order it online in a heartbeat. \*\* What she said. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-buy-clothes-online/216525/15 "2003-12-03T07:30:31Z")
I seem to lack the shopping gene, also. I buy online, love it. I’m not sure it counts though, even when I’m shopping in a brick and mortar, I look at the size tags and just grab. ---
**Author:** ![Audrey\_Levins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Audrey\_Levins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Audrey_Levins)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-buy-clothes-online/216525/16 "2003-12-03T09:05:21Z")
I missed the Victoria’s Secret Semi-Annual Sale this year, but they had plenty of stuff online that was still on sale, so I gave it a whirl… And hated all three bras I ordered. I still have 'em, because I’m a lazy slob who can’t be bothered returning them–even if I could, since they were clearance items–but I have yet to wear one of them, in the four months I’ve had them. So no, I don’t shop online for clothes. Not _sob_ anymore! ---
**Author:** ![katie1341](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/91b2a8/32.png) [@katie1341](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/katie1341)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-buy-clothes-online/216525/17 "2003-12-03T13:43:50Z")
I shop online a lot- I tend to wear the same brands / designers, and I know which sizes will fit. I’ve had to return things a couple of times, but the convenience of being able to buy quality stuff online is worth it. I much prefer the “shopping experince”, but I live in a college town and it’s difficult to find quality “grown-up” clothes that aren’t geared toward 18-yr olds. When I can, I love to go shopping in Atlanta. ``` I have taken the unprecedented (for me) step of doing online Xmas shopping this year, because I had back surgery a couple of weeks ago and I can't go anywhere for another few weeks. I am amazed at how much I miss Xmas shopping- as much as I bitch about the crowds, the stores, etc, I do miss the experience. I'll have to be sure not to get hurt around the holidays next year! ``` ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-buy-clothes-online/216525/18 "2003-12-03T13:51:03Z")
No! I need to feel, touch, try on, and in some cases smell. Some fabrics (like raw silk) have a distinctive scent and if it’s too strong, I can’t wear it. At any rate, I’m not buying any new clothes until this last 30 lbs is gone, so I’ve been at thrifts for awhile. ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-buy-clothes-online/216525/19 "2003-12-03T16:18:29Z")
No. I’m like Ginger in the need to have the tactile experience of the clothing. Textures are particularly important to me. Well, and that whole size thing, of course. ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-buy-clothes-online/216525/20 "2003-12-03T17:01:33Z")
I hate going to a mall, because I have trouble walking. So I avoid them like the plague! I can only find my bra size through specialty shops or EBay - and since I can’t afford to spend $90 for a bra, I love EBay! And I’ve made friends with several of the sellers. Everything I am wearing, except my socks, was bought online. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-would-you-buy-clothes-online/216525.md?page=2)