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The Pros and Cons of Buying Topshop Online

Fab Community — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:00:22 -0800

Check out what Emily EMS has to say about her online Topshop experience in our 24/7 Go-To Fashion Guide group.

I always knew they existed - I have seen their chic dresses, sexy heels and cool tops. I am talking about Topshop. I got even more excited when I found out they opened a store in NYC, although I live in Denver, Colorado. I must say, things come around a lot slower around here, and don't get me wrong, there are nice stores here, but it's not to the point where they satisfy my fashion cravings.

This is when the beauty of online shopping comes in handy. My friend Sophie loves to shop online. She says that it's the best because she can buy things anytime, even at two in the morning, not have to worry about driving to the mall, (and not finding anything at the mall!), and in most cases, there's no sales tax, a small shipping fee, and usually, the return and exchanges are easy.

I must say, I was never comfortable with buying clothes online. Shoes and bags, I'm OK with. With clothes, things are different simply because every brand has slightly different sizing and all. Topshop was no exception. It's from the UK, and I know sometimes the equivalent of those sizes can be confusing - look at H&M!

One day, as I was looking through tons of pictures as always - new trends, jackets and coats for Fall and Winter. And there it was. I fell in love with this striped knit jacket from Topshop. I looked at the price, and fell in love with it even more - it's only $80!

I had to go to the store - but wait, there is no Topshop here in Denver! As I envied those folks in NYC, I went online. I quickly navigated myself to look for the jacket and there it was! I want, I want! Pause. What is my size?

Suddenly, I was lost. I usually wear a 2 or 4, depending on the brand. I also have jackets and tops that run rather small or large. While all those thoughts kept going around my head, I looked up on the sizing chart. Hmm . . . I think I am 4, but I don't want it to be too tight since it's a knit jacket . . . oh well, let's just order 6 in case, and if it didn't fit, I'd just exchange it. Before placing an order, it suddenly dawned on me that in case this size didn't work out, I better check on the return policy. Just in case. I'm not sure if that was a sign of something, but I looked. And I discovered many things I did not know. At first, I did not know Topshop's merchandise all ship out from UK. Thus, $15 shipping charge makes sense. Then I realized another thing. What if I wanted to return or exchange something? Sure, you can either return it in person at their stores but that is not my option. According to their website, if you wanted to return or exchange an item, you have to ship it back to their UK warehouse at your own expense. Hmmm . . .

Now I'm determined to make my purchase more "oops wrong size" free. I certainly don't want to go through with shipping the item back and forth till I get it right. It's not only time consuming, but also could end up being costly. I carefully studied the sizing chart, I realized, I needed some real people's opinions. Of course, the chart gives you the idea to narrow down which size you could possibly be, but just in case, to double check it, I did my own research.

I googled the "Topshop sizing review" and voilà! There were a few out there, but one forum was particularly helpful - Facebook. People with the same problems come together and discuss the sizing. Some argue Topshop's sizing runs smaller. Others disagree.

In the end, I ended up getting a 6 - I figured if it's bigger rather than smaller, I could live with it. I haven't gotten the jacket just yet, because I just ordered yesterday, but I'll keep you posted on the sizing. I must say the forum, like the one Facebook, did help me tremendously, sometimes a sizing chart won't do justice. Real people's opinions really do count.

So will I shop online again? Yeah, sure. But do some research beforehand, and read the fine print in case you don't like it, or it's too small or too big, or it's not what I thought it would be, or whatever the reason may be. As for me, for now, I'm waiting and hoping that all the research and reading will pay off.

There are already a bunch of groups you can join and explore, and please - start some new ones! Here's a helpful guide to creating in case you need some clarification.

Online Sale Alert: Amazing Deals on Winter Coats

FabSugar — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 10:56:39 -0800

If you're still on the hunt for the perfect winter coat, check out this amazing online sale at SmartBargains. The super-discounted site is offering an additional 20 percent off of dozens of designer coats. Whether you're looking for a classic pea coat or a puffy down jacket, there's bound to be something here for you. Here are a few of my picks.

DKNY Plaid Wool Blend Coat with Fur-Trimmed Collar, $239.99 reduced from $650, available here.

Pasha & Jo New York Velvet Peacoat, $340 reduced $79.99, available here.

To see the rest, read more

MICHAEL by Michael Kors Box Quilted Down Coat, $63.99 reduced from $200, available here.

Via Spiga Military Down Jacket, $79.99 reduced from $169, available here.

Thanks to SheFinds for the tip!

Absolutely Fabulous

FabSugar — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:11:22 -0800

Who wore white feathery Marchesa better?
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The Jimmy Choo for H&M launch is nearing - check out the celeb-studded LA launch party.
Enter to win Rebecca Minkoff's saucy studded Devote hobo handbag.
Here are some gift suggestions for your mama, pops, nana, and dada.
Master this week's The City and Gossip Girl fashion quizzes - achieve Blair's shimmering getup.
I won't let Halloween go: see what roles Sugar people played, what the celebs wore, and play our Halloween faceoff.
We're gearing up for Winter - here are 15 cozy chic sweaters and 10 warm Winter coats you need now.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's line for JCPenney, Olsenboye, is already on sale!
Do you agree with the final Project Runway contenders?
Dig Daria Werbowy in Fall-esque gear in hay fields.

Online Sale Alert! S/S, F/W Sale at United Bamboo

FabSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:00:08 -0700

United Bamboo recently went e-commerce, and it already has a respectable sale going on - a Spring/Summer section and a Fall/Winter one. As expected, the former displays airy pieces, while the latter has heavy coats. There are lots of of truly unique items to be had, but this United Bamboo Dark Gray Beaded Tunic ($140, originally $465) is particularly divine. You can wear it bare-legged, over leggings, jeans, and tights.

For more great deals, check out SaleHabit.com!

Money Tip: What to Shop For in March

SavvySugar — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 11:01:03 -0700

We're about halfway through March, which means most of us are balancing our monthly budgets and taking stock of what we might splurge or spend on for the remainder of the month. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, March is a great time to purchase TVs because you can generally save up to 15 percent on the cost of a TV from last year's line. To see what else experts from Consumer Reports suggest picking up this month, read more.

The folks from Consumer Reports say March is also a great time to purchase:

Computers
Humidifiers
TVs
Winter coats
Winter sports gear

I've noticed Winter coats on the sale racks of my favorite stores for the past few weeks. Have you seen any of these items with bright red tags?
Source

Style Glossary: Duffle Coat

FabSugarUK — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:00:50 -0800

Paddington Bear's favourite piece of clothing has experienced a resurgence recently. The winter classic has been spotted on Lily Allen, Agyness Deyn and Britney Spears. But what actually is a duffle coat?

It is defined as, 'A knee-length wool coat with a hood, square shoulder yoke, large patch pockets, rope frogging and wooden toggle closures. Originally worn by Belgian fishermen, the duffle coat was adopted by the Royal Navy in WWI and WWII, and then in the 1940s French students snapped up this item and many other military styles inexpensively at surplus sales.

Filmmaker Jean Cocteau saw the look in the Latin Quarter cafes and began wearing it about town, including to opera premieres. Eventually the duffle coat became a classic overcoat, adopted for rainwear and cold-weather dressing where its utilitarian nature comes in handy.'

This red duffle coat is from Miss Selfridge (£55).

Online Sale Alert! Newport News

FabSugar — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 13:23:59 -0800

Newport News is having a biggie winter sale. If you still need a certain kind of winter coat or boot, this is a great store for affordable stylish staples. Here are a few of my picks from the sale.

You can find this sale and other Sale Alerts here. Please help spread the savings and save fab online sales you come across, just add this link to your browser's favorites: Create a Sale Alert. For a more detailed explanation of bookmarks from geeksugar click here.

Trench-style jacket, on sale for $49 (was $59).

A couple more, so read more

Rhinestone necklace tee, on sale for $32 (was $42).

Quilted chain-strap bag, on sale for $34 (was $44).

Online Sale Alert: Coat and Jacket Sale at Bluefly

FabSugar — Fri, 24 Nov 2006 08:47:41 -0800

Now that Thanksgiving is over, it definitely feels like winter is here. Lucky for us, Winter means bundling up in stylish coats. One of our favorite online stores, Bluefly, is having a Coat and Jacket sale today only. Click here to shop.

Here are some of my picks from the sale:

Michael Michael Kors black quilted down fur hood coat, Was: $199 Now: $159.20, Available here.

Marc New York black wool-blend 'Carly' peacoat, Was: $229 Now: $183.20, Available here.

One more, so read more

Kenneth Cole Reaction black wool blend 'Military' coat, Was: $165 Now: $132, Available here.

Celebrity Style: Gisele Bündchen

FabSugar — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 09:38:43 -0800

Check out Gisele Bündchen braving the below freezing weather in New York City last weekend. Her natural winter flush gives her just the right amount of color on her cheeks and lips, making her as stunning as ever for a quick stroll with her three dogs. This supermodel sure knows her high fashion, sporting the same Miu Miu Shearling coat that Cameron Diaz rocked in the fab movie The Holiday.

To get this cozy look, read more

To get all the info on Gisele's coat, check out Cameron's/Amanda's looks from the hit movie The Holiday.

For a more reasonable alternative to this coat, try this Jones New York Faux Suede/Mock Mink Elegant Coat, on sale for $128.99 (originally $370).

UGG Australia Ultra Tall, $185.

Joie Feather Weight Cashmere Hoodie, $295.

Paige Denim Skyline Drive Peg Jeans, $179.

Source

Online Sale Alert! 50% Off at Ron Herman

FabSugar — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 03:00:22 -0800

Ron Herman is having a Winter sale and when Ron Herman has a sale, it means nothing but business. Anything that's lustworthy is 50 percent off right now, like this Rebecca Taylor Pleated Multi-Color Cami ($103, originally $205). It so belongs in your Spring wardrobe. Jeans, coats, dresses, tanks, scarves, cardigans, jewelry, shoes - all yours to adopt.