Tuesday, March 1, 2011

The Girl Next Door: Online shopping Part II: where to shop

Online fashion is a worldwide phenomenon.  The uniqueness of the online fashion scene in Malaysia and Singapore is that these are done on blogs.

From: http://media.www.umdstatesman.com/media/storage/paper1351/news/2011/02/23/Variety/The-Girl.Next.Door.Online.Shopping.Part.Ii.Where.To.Shop-3980758.shtml

The Girl Next Door: Online shopping Part II: where to shop

Charlotte Crowley

You may want to go get your copy of last week's column because you're probably going to need it for this week. After sharing some advice about having a hassle-free online shopping experience, I thought I'd share which online shops have drained my energy, time and bank balance over the last few years.

Up until a few years ago, the only sites you could order online from were those that already had physical stores. It was easy and it was convenient, and it is still popular today. Almost all physical shops today have an online counterpart, allowing shoppers to avoid the queues, changing room stress and over-crowded malls to enjoy shopping from their own homes. But over the last few years a new breed of online shops has emerged. These stores don't have physical counterparts, but exist only online.

This allows people to open online stores from their homes and in their spare time, giving us much greater diversity in what is available to purchase online. While previously small indie designers would advertise through word-of-mouth, they can now open their own boutiques at a click of a button. Here are some of my favorite online-only (or virtually online-only) shops:

ASOS.com

As Seen On Screen (ASOS) is the U.K.'s largest online-only fashion and beauty website that recently launched a U.S. counterpart. ASOS began back in 2000, where it prided itself on creating budget-friendly imitations of celebrity looks. Today the site is a haven of buys, featuring both UK high street pieces and designer duds. The site is constantly updated so there is always a new temptation with every visit.

Lulus.com

Lulu's is perfect if you have a girly, slightly Boho style. The site features hundreds of designers you won't find anywhere else, and all for reasonable (think Forever 21-esque) prices. They even have a vintage section for one-of-a-kind finds.

TopShop.com

Okay, not strictly online-only, but with only one store in the U.S. (in New York City), Topshop.com is the easiest way to get your dose of British style. Top Shop is a staple on the high streets of the UK, with its constant array of on-trend pieces and slightly quirky designs. The website allows you to browse both boutique and designer collections and often has some online-only treats to offer.

Modcloth.com

If your style is a little more vintage and edgy, then Modcloth is the place to shop. The site is a haven of quirky, retro-inspired clothes and gifts. The site prides itself on its unique pieces and features hundreds of indie designers.

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