A Fashionista's Guide to Online Shopping

As it begins to cool down in Maryland, we all find ourselves trying to revamp our wardrobes with sweaters, joggers and the latest denim trend. Being a college student leaves little room for mall trips and fitting rooms. The constant struggle of seeing the latest trends but being unable to travel to real clothing stores can leave you feeling frustrated. But have no fear - this guide to online shopping will have you feeling confident with your purchases as you strut to class in your new attire.

Boohoo

This is a great one-stop shop. Boohoo has everything from the latest trends to the basics, depending on your style. This company is based in the UK, but has gone global since it’s start in 2006, so it ships to the U.S., Europe and even the Middle East.

Pro: Boohoo has something for every occasion from dresses to suits to kimonos. The site isn’t just for women; they have a men’s and kids’ section too! They typically have low prices, and there is always a sale going on.

Con: Customer service is one of their key issues. They have little contact information on the site. Multiple online reviewers say they could not exchange sizes or get their money back from returns. Sometimes things come in the wrong sizes or with some other fault. The orders also take a while to arrive.

SheIn

SheIn sells contemporary women’s clothing. The site started as a bunch of fashion-loving individuals in New Jersey and is now a multinational company based out of China. The company prides itself on its ability to sell trendy clothes at affordable prices.

Pro: Shein gets new product almost daily and you can find these items by clicking the latest date under the “What’s New” tab. They also have a section specifically for this year’s autumn and winter trends. Shein also gives students a $5 discount on orders over $50 when they sign up for studentbeans.com.

Con: Customer reviews say it could take upward to four weeks for these clothes to ship. Some items’ fabric are also misleadingly labeled, meaning you face the risk of receiving a different quality of clothing than what you paid for.

Tobi

Based out of Los Angeles, Tobi aspires to encompass everything from beachy vibes, to city chic and everything in between. The buying team forecasts the newest trends before they become popular to make sure you are on your fashionista A-game.

Pro: Tobi constantly has promotions going on, such as 50 percent your first order and free shipping on orders over $50. They also have 30 percent off new arrivals within seven days of its release. This site seems to be the most clear about its return and customer service policies.

Con: The quality of the clothes can be sub-par, depending on the items you buy. Along with this, the clothes are a little more pricey to begin with. After all the sales and promotions, it’s not as great of a deal as you may have thought, especially for the condition. Purchase with caution!

ASOS

This website was originally created to allow customers to buy accessories they saw their favorite celebrities wearing, hence the name As Seen On Screen, later shortened to ASOS – pronounced ACE-OSS (I knew you were wondering).

Pro: ASOS offers free shipping and free returns. And students get 10 percent off every purchase! What’s better than that? They also have a cool feature called “Marketplace” (a tab on the top left of the site) that lets you shop from independent boutiques curated by ASOS.

Con: When it comes to returns, it can take weeks to see a refund your credit card. ASOS is not particularly transparent about its policies, which can lead to major confusion when it comes to getting your money back. Some reviews say it takes a while to get the student discount code, so make sure you get it in advance if you choose to make a purchase.

FINAL VERDICT

All things considered, I think Tobi has the give you the best bang for your buck. Their clothes are high quality, their sales are constant, and their new arrivals are always on trend. They also have great customer service to which I can personally attest to. I’ve never had an issue with returns and their 30-day policy gives you plenty of time to figure out whether you like or want to keep an item. My favorite part of this site is the “Features” section under the “Clothing” tab. There’s nothing like seeing a look put together to give you inspiration on how to rock a piece with your own flare!