Do you often get home and kick yourself, asking why on earth you did that? You try it on and it looks dreadful. Maybe it’s the style, maybe it’s the colour, maybe it’s the quality, especially if you bought online. But it was a mistake.
Now begins the hassle of returning it.
The packaging up. The trip to the Post office. Or awaiting a doorstep Collection.
As a time (and money) poor, full time working, single mum I would often ‘bulk’ buy clothes without trying, knowing I could return them when my sons’ next rugby or cricket match was anywhere near a shopping centre. I would fly in, having to locate the well-hidden Returns Desk, which was inevitably tucked away in a dark corner upstairs and join a slow and laborious queue in order to return said item/s. What a chore. But it became a necessary evil as life was busy and time was short. As I gained more and more weight, the repeat refunding became more and more frequent, as sizes didn’t fit nor styles suit. As you get bigger, choice gets smaller sadly. And the possibility of suitability becomes more and more diminished. But that’s for another time …
When the first lockdown hit – I can’t believe I’m saying ‘FIRST' - I began to shop more and more online. As my own business went online, I was exposed to and teased by more and more temptation. Pretty clothes worn by pretty women at seemingly ‘pretty’ prices. What a myth!
Well, actually, NO!
The clothes arrived, eventually. Unrecognisable products that barely resembled what I’d ordered. The quality was diabolical. The sizes were miniscule. Nothing short of doll size. Really. Colours were a million miles away from those pretty pictures. The wrong style was sent for three out of five of the items.
No paperwork in the parcel, so how could they be returned? Eventually I found an email address and emailed the company concerned. Items can be returned by sending back to China which is likely to cost more than the value of the goods I was told. After much debacle I accepted a 10% ‘refund’ and was told to keep the garments or give to a family member!
Unbelievable.
Now much has been documented about the key role Britain is playing in this controversial £65m industry that fools online shoppers into buying poor quality, cheap Chinese-manufactured clothes by advertising them on social media sites as glamorous boutique products. Even the former Editor of Vogue was tempted. And conned, as I was. What’s even more infuriating is that many of these companies fold, and restart under a different name.
Of course, this serves only to accelerate the downfall of our high streets as people believe they can buy clothes cheaper online. But unless your purchase is over £100 you are not covered by your card provider under the Consumer Credit Act.
Colour analysis will identify the best colours for you to wear to compliment your natural colourings. As we age, our skin becomes thinner and pigmentation levels drop. We can no longer wear some of the colours of our youth. Wearing black drains, drowns and ages many of us – in fact , ALL women except those of high contrast with a Winter colour palette. Knowing and wearing the colours that work for us cuts down on the magpie, shiny object syndrome and narrows but defines our field, resulting in fewer, costly buying mistakes. Over time as we replace the items in our wardrobe with the colours that work, all clothes on the hangers will work together, coordinating beautifully so selection of outfits becomes effortless.
Similarly, knowing our body shape and identifying clothes that not only reflect our style personality but also flatter our body shape – whatever size it may be – gives clarity to our clothing choice , outfit selection and gives true purpose to our shopping. No more shiny object syndrome and costly temptation.
Check out the companies you buy from, whether independent business or mainstream retailer. Use Trustpilot for reviews, build relationships with smaller, independent businesses, suss out each company’s credentials and returns policy. Evaluate their ethics, do they align with yours? How do their sustainability systems hold up?
Book a colour analysis and style consultation with me. It might very well be your best investment yet.
