Why online clothes shopping goes wrong
Most bad online fashion purchases fail for one of three reasons: the fit is off, it arrives too late, or the return costs more than it's worth. All three are predictable if you read the product page and the policy page before checkout. Below are seven checks that prevent most of those problems, with real numbers from the six women's fashion stores we've reviewed so you can see how much policies differ.
The six stores at a glance
| Store | Best for | Median price | Return window | Typical US delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boogzel | Y2K, grunge and aesthetic outfits plus accessories | $26 | 40 days, unworn with tags | 5 to 12 business days |
| Litlookz Studio | Coquette dresses, indie knits, matching sets | $47 | 30 days, photos required | 3 to 8 business days |
| Nordic Peace | Straw totes, slippers, cozy gifts | $21.50 | Change-of-mind terms unclear | 4 to 10 business days |
| IGIGI | Made-to-order plus size dresses and gowns | n/a ($225 to $695 dresses) | 45 days, free US label | 30 to 45 days (made to order) |
| Galartsy | Fine-art print clothing | $42.50 | 14 days, no wrong-size returns | 5 to 14 business days after processing |
| Plus Minus Co | Low-stakes novelty buys only | $14.95 | 30 days, sale items excluded | 10 to 20 business days (FAQ says up to 35) |
1. Measure yourself, then ignore the size label
Letter sizes vary wildly between brands, especially at stores that source from several factories. The fix is a soft tape measure and the garment's own chart. Measure your bust, waist, hips and, for tops and coats, the length from shoulder to where you want the hem to fall. Then compare against the product's measurements, not a generic size guide.
Good stores give garment measurements per listing. Most Boogzel clothing listings include bust, sleeve and length in both centimeters and inches. Its Parisian Girl Yellow Maxi Coat ($110), for example, lists a length of about 51 to 52 inches. If a listing gives only S, M, L, treat it as a red flag or ask support first.
Tip: Compare against a piece you already own and love. Lay it flat, measure it, and match those numbers.
2. Read the return policy before you fall for the dress
This is where the six stores differ most, and it should shape what you buy from each:
- Most forgiving: IGIGI gives US customers a free USPS return label and a full refund on unworn items with tags postmarked within 45 days. Boogzel gives 40 days for unused items with tags.
- Middle: Litlookz Studio gives 30 days but requires photos of the item from several angles and shipping within 5 days of getting the label. Plus Minus Co gives 30 days but excludes sale items, and about 1,609 of its items were on sale.
- Strictest: Galartsy gives only 14 days and refuses change-of-mind and wrong-size returns entirely, so a size mistake is yours to keep. Nordic Peace's captured policy covers damaged items and late orders but doesn't spell out change-of-mind returns; email support before buying anything you might send back.
Rule of thumb: buy fitted pieces only where returns are easy, and buy loose or one-size items (tees, totes, slippers) where they're strict.
3. Work backward from the date you need it
Delivery times range from days to weeks. Litlookz quotes 3 to 8 business days for the US. Boogzel quotes 5 to 12, and orders can only be canceled within 12 hours. Galartsy adds 1 to 3 days of processing to 5 to 14 days of shipping. Plus Minus Co's FAQ lists 5 to 35 days for the US.
IGIGI is a special case: every piece is made to order, so allow 30 to 45 days. For a wedding or gala, order at least six weeks ahead, plus time for a possible return and reorder, since IGIGI doesn't do exchanges.
4. Check the fabric line
Fabric tells you how a piece will drape, breathe and wash. Look for the material on the listing: Boogzel's Soft Girl Sheer Knit Sweater ($28) is polyester and semi-transparent, so plan a layer under it. Galartsy's slogan tees use a 180 GSM cotton blank, a mid-weight tee. Polyester chiffon, satin-finish and faux leather pieces look sharp in photos but trap heat, which matters for a summer event. If the material isn't listed, assume a synthetic blend.
5. Treat compare-at prices with suspicion
Most of these stores show a crossed-out "compare at" price, and it's often not meaningful. Litlookz marks the Asymmetric Lace Slip Dress at $39.90 against $47, which is modest, but some compare-at prices across fast-fashion sites are inflated. Judge each item on its actual price and whether you'd pay that for it. A real signal of value is a store with few sales and stable prices, or a deal on something you'd buy anyway, like Boogzel's Bubblegum Crush Fleece at $41, down from $79.
6. Add up the true total
Shipping and duties change the math on cheap items:
- Free shipping thresholds: Boogzel's policy lists free standard shipping over $50 ($10 below). Litlookz charges $4.90 below $65. Nordic Peace charges shipping by destination with no stated free threshold.
- Duties: Boogzel, Litlookz and Galartsy all ship internationally and pass import duties and VAT to the customer. IGIGI charges a flat $29 for international shipping plus local duties.
- Return shipping: Galartsy makes you pay return shipping unless it made an error. Factor that in before ordering two sizes.
7. Spot the signs of a dropship catalog
Stores that resell from many suppliers often show raw supplier specs, generic product URLs, conflicting contact details and very long delivery windows. Plus Minus Co shows several of these: a Palo Alto location on its contact page, a Florida return address and a Gmail address for refunds, plus inconsistent delivery estimates. That's why it ranks last among these six and why we suggest it only for low-stakes items like a $19.98 sterling silver ring or a novelty tee, not anything you need by a date or might return. Galartsy also has some listings with wholesale-style URLs, and some items ship from China.
Where each store fits
- Boogzel: our top-rated store here. Huge aesthetic range of about 5,000 products, measurement tables on most clothing, and a 40-day return window. Expect a week or two for delivery.
- Litlookz Studio: trend-driven dresses and sets with faster US delivery. Keep tags on and be ready to photograph returns.
- IGIGI: the only store here built for curvy women who want a dress cut to their size and height, with the best return terms. Plan ahead, since custom options are priced as add-ons and orders take 30 to 45 days.
- Nordic Peace: better for accessories and gifts (straw totes from $32, slippers around $26) than fitted clothing, given the unclear return terms.
- Galartsy: art lovers who are sure of their size. Start with relaxed tees or outerwear rather than fitted pieces.
- Plus Minus Co: proceed with caution; low-cost, low-stakes buys only.
Quick checklist before you click buy
- Garment measurements match your own (or a piece you own).
- The return window and conditions fit how sure you are.
- Delivery estimate lands before your event, with buffer.
- Fabric suits the season and occasion.
- Total cost includes shipping, duties and possible return postage.