This is post #2 (as well as your second opportunity to enter to win!) sponsored by American Express and their Savvy Shopper program. I have been compensated for this post, but all ideas and thoughts are all my own.
I firmly believe that every woman should have a few basics in her wardrobe. Some of those basics may differ slightly, depending upon the geographical area in which she lives, but the basic premise is still the same.
Coat, shoes, dress, skirt, fun.
I was provided with the opportunity to pick my five Fall Must Have's, and I'd love to share them with you, along with my personal top savvy online shopping tips. This is your last chance to enter to win $250 of merchandise or gift cards through Membership Rewards. You may select a combination of gift cards/merchandise if you prefer, and here are some of the items you might choose from:
Gift Cards:
Saks Fifth Avenue: (denominations: $50, $100, $250)
Zappos.com: (denominations: $50, $100, $250)
Neiman Marcus: (denominations: $50, $100, $250)
Merchandise:
North Face Denali Jacket (Retail $165)
Michael Kors Hamilton Medium Messenger Bag (Retail $248.00)
Dooney and Bourke Dillen II Satchel (Retail $248.00)
TUMI Ducati Tank Medium Backpack (Retail $245.00)
Now, back to my Five Fall Must Have's. Where I live is pretty temperate this time of year, but I need a raincoat. Sure, I have a hoodie, but waiting outside for my kids to depart school means that I get DRENCHED. There are some ugly raincoats out there, but I chose this one from Boden:
Now. Savvy Shopping tip #1 - check the measurements. And if you are ordering from a company that sells clothes in EUROPEAN sizes, make sure you don't order your American number size - because when said coat arrives, it will be too snug and although it's the most beautiful and well constructed coat you've ever seen and you want to sleep in it - it'll need to go back and return to you in a new, slightly larger size.
Next, let's look at a dress. Every woman needs at least one multi purpose dress - classy, a little flirty, but not overly sexy. You need a dress you can accessorize for a night out on the town, calm down for a church event, or spiff up when you go out with the girls. I chose this dress from Anthropologie:
Savvy Shopping tip #2 - read the feedback on the site. There's always going to be a few comments that RAVE about the dress, and a few that HATE it - but see what the general tone is - 95% of the comments on this dress were positive and I have to say, I love it just as much as they do. The other comments assured me that the dress ran true to size and I was confident that I could order my typical size.
Now, a skirt. A basic black skirt is indispensible for women. You can dress it up or down, it works for the office or church or out with the hubby. This was my choice, from Ann Taylor Loft:
Made of a stretchy material referred to as Scuba, this skirt is a dream come true. Savvy tip #3 - measure yourself, even if you think you know what size you need. Often, online stores have different sizing parameters and there's nothing more frustrating than waiting patiently for a skirt to arrive and finding that it has to go straight back.
Want to be able to fit into those pencil skirts? You are going to have to get some exercise, and so I chose sneakers for running from Amazon:
Savvy Tip #4 - Choose a store that has a good reputation. I shop an awful lot from Amazon - just ask my hubby. I chose to shop there because the prices are good, they price match and I get the items I've ordered quickly and well packed.
Now, my last item. I chose this apron from Etsy -
Simply because it was cute and functional, and I love retro - and who doesn't want to look GREAT while serving Thanksgiving dinner? Savvy Tip #5 - don't discount Etsy and similar sites. Check the feedback of the seller, but often I can find items on Etsy that I can't locate anywhere else. Bonus - you are often helping support an at home business.
To be entered to win the $250 shopping spree, leave me a comment telling me your Savvy Online Shopping Tip. I'll take the entries here and combine them with the entries on the first post and use Random.org to pick a winner. (Psst - this means that if you didn't enter on the other post, you can get an extra chance!)
This giveaway will close on Nov 5 at 11:59 p.m. and is open to US residents over the age of 18 only, please.
I think my best savvy shopper online tip is to know the company's return policy and print it out. This is especially important if you are buying from a foreign company as sizes here in the US and in other places aren't always the same (a 2 is a 2 is a 2 unless you are in Australia...).
Posted by: Kristen @ St Monica's Bridge | October 27, 2011 at 02:37 PM
The best tip I have? Make sure you have the shipping address correct. It seems like such a small thing. Something that you SURELY can't have messed up, but I've seen it happen more than once and it's SO frustrating.
Posted by: NotAMeanGirl | October 27, 2011 at 03:16 PM
Shopping tip? Always compare prices, quality and get what you want. What you want is always out there or find a way to make it yourself.!!!! You just got to look for it.
Posted by: Rachel | October 27, 2011 at 05:06 PM
Always read the fine print. A return policy will be spelled out there. As well as shipping options etc. Don't hesitate to contact the seller with questions and clarifications.
Posted by: addy | October 27, 2011 at 05:41 PM
If you don't absolutely love it, don't buy it. I used to buy so many things because they were the "style I thought I wanted to be" but never felt like I could pull them off so I never wore them. Buy what you love and feel amazing in.
Posted by: Karen | October 27, 2011 at 07:11 PM
Zappos! They have excellent customer service and carry a whole lot of stuff.
Posted by: girlsmama | October 27, 2011 at 07:25 PM
Search for discount codes/coupons before purchasing. 99% of the time you can save money or get free shipping. Google the phrase: "store name" discount code to find one.
Posted by: Carrotrunr | October 27, 2011 at 08:03 PM
When we were remodeling our kitchen, we looked at the stores in our town and picked what appliances we liked. We noted the make and model and then went online and found most of them for way less and with free shipping and no tax! Not something everyone can do and yes, you do have to wait for them to arrive in a few weeks, but we saved a ton of money this way.
Posted by: Kelly H | October 27, 2011 at 08:28 PM
Don't forget to check the "Virtual Clearance Rack." I get great deals on clothes for my kids because they will grow into a size too big! Also combine the Sale section with online discounts for even greater bargains :)
Posted by: MelissaS | October 27, 2011 at 10:02 PM
google coupons from the site you're shopping from. Sometimes you can get extra special pricing just from a little searching.
Posted by: Beth | October 27, 2011 at 10:10 PM
Look - bookmark - come back later (or if possible; the next day and if you REALLY want...buy. One can always return - but online sales are fleeting. And always buy from a reputable seller, which for me is often Amazon too.
I love all of your choices - and your advice - especially about European sizes!
ek
Posted by: elizabeth k | October 27, 2011 at 10:36 PM
Read lots of reviews on the item that you are interested in to get sizing ideas and reviews on the customer service which is majorly important when ordering clothes online that you can't obviously try on first cause lets face it, it has a high likelihood of being returned...
Posted by: Jennifer | October 27, 2011 at 11:07 PM
a tip i have -- read the return policy -- if you are going to have to pay shipping to return their mistake, it might nit be worth it...however, companies like LL Bean do all they can to make it right (for the life of the product!!)
Posted by: becky dunnell | October 30, 2011 at 10:18 AM
never, ever buy something that you think you should wear...thinking that you'll grow to like yourself in it. Be comfortable in your own skin and blaze your own trails. God knows how many times my wife and I have bought things thinking they were age/job appropriate only to feel miserable wearing them...so they stay on a hanger in the closet until we finally give in and put them in the donate pile...
Posted by: Scott Rooke | October 30, 2011 at 10:37 AM
I shop with ebates when I can and always look for coupon codes on google.
Posted by: Mert | October 30, 2011 at 11:46 AM
My savvy online shopping tip involves three words: "free return shipping." Bonus if there is free shipping as well! I've taken to shopping at modcloth.com, which has both -- and a lot of cute dresses.
Posted by: Rox | October 30, 2011 at 01:50 PM
My savvy shopping tip ... unless you are in a tight time crunch do not pay for the express shipping. Just a waste of money to have it there early because it is just so cute you can not wait to see it. Save your money if you can :)
Posted by: Carlita Gonzalez | October 30, 2011 at 01:55 PM
My tip: Check the sizing charts before you order. It amazes me how I can be a size 8 in one store, a 6 in another, and even a 4 in another. Seriously: know your measurements and check the sizing charts before ordering any clothing.
Of course, this is all hypothetical for me. I haven't had money to spend on myself in approximately ten trillion years (cue violin music) so I would really, really, REALLY love to win this giveaway.
REALLY.
Posted by: Sue M | October 30, 2011 at 04:12 PM
My savvy shopping tip is to order only from free shipping both ways places, that way when that perfect item is too big or too small or doesn't look as good on your body as it does on the model in the picture, it goes back for free.
Posted by: Tonya | October 30, 2011 at 10:16 PM
Check retailmenot for coupon codes!
Posted by: Heather | October 31, 2011 at 01:07 AM
My savvy shopping tip is to make sure the shipping address is correct! I've had mistakes happen to me more than once and result in lost items and money!
Posted by: Lisa | October 31, 2011 at 10:26 AM
Free shipping is the only way to shop....
Posted by: jeru | October 31, 2011 at 10:57 AM
All ways try and use an online code/coupon! And try to combine it with a big sale. Also shop for the alternate season you are currently in, i.e. if its winter start doing your summer shoping now. Most places will be clearencing left over warm weather clothing you can scoop up now at half the cost and be reasy to go when the tempature starts to rise again!
Posted by: Meredith Byrd | October 31, 2011 at 12:18 PM
I love Smart Couponing on FB-they always let me know the great deals, who's got free shipping, etc . . .
Posted by: Julie | October 31, 2011 at 05:11 PM
I like places with free shipping & free returns. Amazon is very good with free returns.
Thanks for the contest.
Posted by: Sarah L | November 01, 2011 at 02:08 AM
I always check retail me not to make sure that there are no coupon codes I can use for my purchase, I have saved so much money that way!
Posted by: Domestic Extraordinaire | November 03, 2011 at 11:46 AM
It is my *distinct* pleasure to tell you that you were the WINNER of the giveaway - random.org picked your entry!
You have 24 hours to reply to this email with your full name, mailing address and phone number, as well as preferred email.
Congratulations, and thanks for reading!
Best,
Carmen
Posted by: Carmen Staicer | November 08, 2011 at 02:25 PM
YAY!!
Posted by: Domestic Extraordinaire | November 08, 2011 at 03:40 PM