I do 93% of shopping for my closet online now. It's a crazy shift, but shopping online has helped me become more intentional (by avoiding impulse buys when I walk in for groceries) and more sustainable and ethical in my purchases.

When you shop online you get the unique opportunity of trying on at home instead of in the dressing room. It's a pressure free environment where you can take a few days to decide on the item and even try it out with your closet.

But even without the fluorescent lights and pressure of the fitting room, many of us still make these common and oh so avoidable mistakes when trying on clothes...

Top 5 Online Shopping Mistakes

1. Wear the Right Shoes

I can't count the times I've put an outfit on with my cozy house slippers and felt so frumpy that I said, "Ugh," and changed immediately.

Recently, I was trying on a wedding guest dress with my Ugg boots making a face in the mirror when my husband walked by and helpfully asked, "What shoes are you gonna wear?" A lightbulb went off. I changed into heels and instantly loved the dress.

The problem is one that's common whether we're trying something on in the dressing room or at a home. Depending on the piece, it can feel off if we're wearing an inappropriate shoe that doesn't match the occasion of the new item.

Taking the extra 30 seconds to grab real shoes you plan to wear with the new outfit, and then you'll be able to make a clearer judgement about how much you love it. This shoe check will also show you if you don't have the right footwear to pair with the look and if keeping this item will mean you are now on the hook to go shoe shopping.

Undergarments like the right bra or no show undies are also important checks if something feels sloppy or off.

Ask yourself, how likely am I to actually order the shoes and will they enhance my whole closet as well? OR is this new piece going to hang unworn because I never find the matching footwear?

Skirt - TTS

Tank - TTS - code: ALEXUSA25

Jacket - go with your bigger size - ALEXUSA25

Sandals - TTS - code: ALEXDAVIESLIVING for 20% off your first purchase

Jewelry - code: ALEX10

2. The 3 Outfit Test

One of the biggest shopping pitfalls is ordering items that don't mix into the closet you already have. If you find pieces you love, but then they sit in your closet and don't get worn, try the 3 outfit test.

Before cutting the tags on your new find, try it on with 3-5 outfits. Finding real ways you can wear the new piece with the closet you already own is a fair road test of how versatile and usable the new item is. Plus, if you decide to keep the piece, you'll be bringing 3+ whole new outfits into your closet that you've "practiced" with and are ready to grab and enjoy.

Skirt - TTS

Tank - TTS - code: ALEXUSA25

Shirt

Jewelry - code: ALEX10

Sandals

3. The House Test

With some jeans and leather shoes, it can be tricky to tell how much they will "break in" and stretch out. Particularly with snug rigid cotton or stiff leather shoes, it's tricky to know if they will stretch to fit your body or feet quickly and become the perfect fit or if they'll stay uncomfortable instead. 

Fortunately, you can wear these items for short time frames around the house to help judge how well they're going to work for you.

Skirt - TTS

Jacket - size up 1 - code: ALEXUSA25

Jewelry - code: ALEX10

Mules

4. The Sit Down Test

In your cute new jeans that look so good, don't forget to sit down before cutting off those tags. Sounds simple, but you want to make sure you have functional pants you'll reach for everyday not a standing only pair.

I am definitely guilty of keeping tight jeans that look and feel amazing but are super tricky to sit down in. I still love them, but I reach for them less often because they're not as easy to do real life in. And when we're talking about building an intentional closet, functionality is important.

So remember to sit down and do some squats in your new pants.

Skirt - TTS

Tank - color bronze

Jewelry - code: ALEX10

Sandals

5. Read the Return Policy

The complaint I get the most about online shopping is handling (or completely forgetting to do) returns. For a lot of us, return shipping often falls off our to do lists, and those great deals we got online end up costing us wasted $$.

I think this is the biggest regret that prevents women from shopping online. But this barrier is really not too hard to overcome if you can mentally commit to the return process before you purchase online.

Read through the return policy and understand how it's going to work before you add the item to your cart. Decide if you are comfortable with the process and any fees.

My favorite returns are when the company sends you a return label with your item taking away any excuse for me not to just pop it back in the mail. But this isn't standard yet and a close second is when you can choose Happy Returns like at ABLE. You grab a barcode online and then drop it off at any local Happy Return location. It's super simple and quick because they process your refund or exchange as soon as you drop off the item.

Ultimately, just please don’t forget to return what you don’t want to keep. Pop your unwanted pieces in the mail ASAP so you don’t find them lurking in your room months later and end up wasting money.