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How to Be a Better Online Shopper: Tips from a True Expert

Elyse Walker knows what she’s talking about.

Fashion
How to Be a Better Online Shopper: Tips from a True Expert
Elyse Walker knows a thing or two about shopping. As the fashion director of FWRD by Elyse Walker, and her brick-and-mortar Elyse Walker boutiques, she’s created a curated selection of designers and pieces that we just cant stop turning to every time we need....something. Shes proud of her edit (with over 300+ luxury designers, how could she not be?), but she also understands how overwhelming the virtual purchasing process can be.

After talking to her about her amazing closet, I decided to also use the opportunity to ask Walker herself (who has been working in the digital shopping space since ’99) for her top tips for shopping online. Here are her six suggestions for making sure you’re buying the best pieces possible instead of impulse-buying whatever you see first.

 

Consider buying something in a larger size


Elyse Walker: “Don’t worry about what size it is. Sometimes we need a bigger size—it doesn’t matter. If it’s flattering, that’s all that matters; don’t get hung up on the size at all.”

If something is sold out in your size (and especially if a site offers free shipping and returns), it’s worth it to go up in size, just in case. People get caught up in feeling insecure about these things, but it’s just a number! I’ve done this a couple of times if a piece I really want is sold out in my size, and have realized that four things can happen: 1. It’s too big and you return it; 2. It’s too big but will be great after it’s tailored; 3. It surprisingly fits just fine; 4. It’s perfectly oversized.

Invest in one crazy piece every season


EW: “Don’t be afraid to push yourself with one piece a season that’s a little bit outside the box, because sometimes you can turn a corner, you know? You’ve just got to do one push.”

In order to truly expand your wardrobe, you need to buy things you don’t already have. Instead, look for something you love but maybe wouldn’t typically buy, and ask yourself why that is. If you can’t come up with a good enough reason, take the plunge! You’ll most likely end up with a statement piece that’ll bring out the best in everything else you own.

Always do you


EW: “Whatever is in fashion—like kimonos now are big—if you’re not a kimono girl, don’t worry! Sit on the sidelines for this one. There’ll be something right around the corner. Don’t push yourself and wear something that’s on trend. If you put it on and it really feels like you’re wearing someone else’s clothing, you’re not going to wear it well. I think of all those trends just as inspiration and stuff, and then you’ve got to make it work for you.”

Take a look every season and think about what works best for you, especially if it isn’t the most popular thing out there at the moment. I find if everybody is already wearing something, I’ll opt for something else I saw on the runway instead. Wearing something that looks like it was made for you is the best way to stand out and is an instant confidence-booster.

Start shopping by going through your favorite designers


EW: “I always scroll through my favorite designers, and I don’t know... I find shopping very easy that way! One of the things I love most about FWRD is I don’t think we’re over-sorted, I think we’re very well edited. It was our strategy six years ago when we started in a very saturated market, when there’s so many choices, we really edit. We have a point of view, so I feel that the site is very easy to shop, whether it’s for yourself or for a gift, because it is not...on contrary to other sites, ours is very focused, so I feel like it’s just easy to navigate.”

Sites like FWRD make shopping easy because they have so many great designers. But I’ll even admit I sometimes neglect the designers tab of a site and will impulsively buy a random piece instead. Of course I ultimately regret the impulse buy when I realize if I had just done a little more research, there was something by a brand that I’ve been wanting forever waiting for me on another part of the site. Sorting by designers helps eliminate this because you’re already going through the pieces you love and have already seen first.

If you’re stuck, consider some of Elyse’s favorite designers


EW: “We’re super excited about Attico, Maggie Marilyn. We’re excited about Ganni, Jacquemus, Jean Atelier. Saloni is selling really [well]. We’ll keep building a stronger and stronger business with Veronica Beard, Ulla Johnson, Smythe. And then in designers we are also super excited about are Alessandra Rich, Brandon Maxwell, and Monse.”

Walker has spent her entire career culminating relationships with the world’s greatest designers. She’s also been going to market forever and knows what is out there and what isn’t, so chances are the designers she has her eyes on are the ones you should watch and, of course, buy.

And if you’re SUPER stuck, a good white blouse will always be a great purchase


EW: “I love a white blouse, I never have enough white specialty blouses.”

If you’re looking to add something to your closet but you don’t know what exactly, you can always fall back on a great white shirt. It goes with everything you already own and everything you don’t have just yet, including that crazy statement piece Walker suggests investing in every season.



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