Grey Dress, Topshop | Cream Blouse, Topshop | Wedges, Castaner
Happy Sunday! So, todays post as you can tell by the title is about the high street, well physical clothes shopping versus shopping online. Now, I’m not some old school granny against the tech age. If anything, for most of the last ten years, I’ve done nothing but shop online. The thing is though, I keep finding myself in the situation where I browse what feels like every website, fill my basket, but just never have the guts to check out when I review it. I always feel like the items I’ve picked are great on their own but don’t necessarily work with what I already have in my wardrobe or work together to make an outfit. Whilst I’ve always felt I have a good sense of style, there’s a difference between knowing what you like and being able to style a cohesive outfit.
It started with me going out to do physical grocery shopping. I’ve always done it online, but I’m starting to appreciate the variety of going to various stores. Anyway, whilst out I started popping in to the clothes shops available and became really drawn to the styling of the outfits in the windows and on display. Let’s face it, people get whole degrees in merchandising, so it makes sense that you’d get ideas from it. Also, some stores are finally clicking on to the idea that we all have different body types and the mannequins and styling has started to reflect this.
I also love being able to feel the quality and texture of the items; texture is definitely a big part of my style. It can be really hard to get an idea of what things really look like, or how they will feel from onlin shopping. Aside from that, there’s just so much to look at!
More importantly, is the sustainability aspect, or in this case the environmental concern. Every time an online order is placed, a truck somewhere (multiple trucks and various forms of transportation) starts up and transports those items to each of us. Then if like me you don’t know what goes with what, you end up send stuff back. That’s more trucks and emissions. I could go in to the more major sustainability point of choosing items that have the least impact on the environment, but there are so many facets to that issue including affordability and brand responsibility, so I’ll save that for another post (let me know if you’re interested in the comments).
My final point is simply that it’s fun to go shopping. Brands are very much aware that the vast majority of us shop online, but the high street is not dead. Have you noticed that shopping centres are becoming experience havens, spas, coffee shops, food courts- all this is to draw us in, and that passing traffic is too much for brands to ignore. Just look at Boots with all the new beauty counters, designed to make shopping more of an experience than a transaction. Chances are you go in try stuff and even if you don’t buy then and there, you might go home and order online.
I personally feel like I am regaining my style mojo and just in time as now that I’m pregnant my main goal is not to turn in to a frump and lose myself.
I’d love to know what you think about high street vs online shopping. Do you get motivated or find it a chore?
T
This post is not sponsored. I am not in partnership with any of the brands. I simply like these outfit ideas and share them on my blog.
Any links I’ve used are affiliated via Awin. I would love if you used these links if you are planning to purchase any of the items. That way I can potentially earn a small commission if you buy anything- leading to better content to you from me. 🙂
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