13 Comments
User's avatar
LF's avatar

It is wild to me how intense the act of shopping can be compared to ordering things online. I too am much pickier in person -- it really has to be perfect for me to make the purchase, and I am far less likely to return when I've shopped in person.

This post reminds me of Erica (A History of Architecture)'s try-on and dress-up videos. I love it!

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Lan's avatar

“Intense” is a good way to put it—I feel so much more present and engaged when I shop in person vs. online. And thanks for the tip on Erica!

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Lin's avatar

Same! That said, when I find something in real life that’s perfect, I find it very hard to walk away from it even though it’s out of my budget or maybe a tad unrealistic for me. I can get a bit carried away by the moment!

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Tiia VM's avatar

I loved tagging along with you to the fitting room. And I looooove those vintage trousers that you bought. What a find!

Like you (and many others in the comments), I'm much pickier while shopping IRL than online. I'm realizing more and more that I'm a tactile buyer and I don't have the time or the energy to deal with all the uncertainties that come with online shopping. Long live brick and mortar shopping!

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Lan's avatar

Thanks! Sometimes it feels we’re being more discerning when shopping online because we have the ability to comparison shop and cast a wider net—but images and descriptions really fail to convey the essence of a garment and how it physically relates to you. I don’t think I would’ve picked out those trousers from a photo grid, but I’m so glad I got them!

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Jenny Xie's avatar

Sigh felt this one deeply. I so miss the days of randomly popping into stores when I lived in the city (and pre-kid obviously)… I think that was such an important “shopping” education that yielded some long-time favorites. Will probably finally have an opportunity to shop in person soon—so excited hehe.

The pants are a great fit and fun addition to your wardrobe! Also I could defffff see the gray cardigan being in your wardrobe haha no pressure tho 😛

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Lan's avatar

Ooh that does sound exciting, especially if it's been a while! I'm glad we still live in the city, though it comes with its challenges.

Yeah that cardigan is so good, but I'm just not in a knitwear buying mood anymore haha. I should also probably reassess the state of my sweater collection before I bring in anymore!

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Louise's avatar

This reminded me of how much fun I had trying stuff on in London last summer, and what a useful exercise it is.

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Sheila (of Ephemera)'s avatar

I loved following you along on your try-ons, LAN! I’m also hypercritical about things when I try them on, and much more impulsive when I don’t have time. I’m more likely to take a risk and buy something that ends up not fitting then.

Thank you for this: “hemmed and hawed” - I hate when people say “hummed”! 💕

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Lin's avatar

Thank you for bringing us along! I’m a bit obsessive when I plan my own shopping days — I noodle over whether I should I go to an out of the way thrift store or hit up a local favourite, and think about what else I can check out along the way. Actually buying something feels almost incidental.

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Lan's avatar

Yes! I’ve realized that I enjoy the shopping/city stroll experience much more than the dopamine hit of making a purchase.

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Angela Jones's avatar

No tips, but my version of this is swatching makeup 😊 I get to see the packaging and the colors that catch my eye online (and usually through influencers, if I’m honest) and often just touching the things in person burst the bubble of marketing for me. Plus it’s a good excuse to bring in my beauty recycling!

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Lan's avatar

That makes total sense! I’m not usually a makeup wearer, but I feel like it’d be impossible to accurately convey colours and textures through a screen.

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