For 18 - 21 year old girls: Do you shop online more than visit a mall or HOW are you shopping these days?

I browse online, but when I actually want to buy something I usually go in to a store. The only exception for this is if the thing I am buying is something I have had before and I know how it fits, or if it is something like a necklace or whatever that doesn’t have/need a size.

Side note: Urban Outfitters is one of my favorite places.

Damn, I’m too old for all these 18–21 year old questions.

I do most of my shopping online…for the most part, I am unconcerned with fashion, and would rather have a cool shirt than a ‘fashionable’ one.

I know basically what size I am, and go according to that.

I also know what style + size pants I wear, so I will sometimes scope out ebay using those measurements.

Does that answer your question?

Admittedly, I am not part of the normal ‘cloud’ of girls.

@casheroo I’m going to refrain from saying what I think

all great responses thanks so far!

@Allie: why do you browse online first? just to save time first? do you go shopping for fun just to browse or mostly just go get what you need?

@ evegrimm: what’s ‘cool’ versus fashionable to you? and why do you shop mostly online? What’s so good about it versus going to stores?

Thanks ladies, for a research project for work!!

@sarahpariso I look online just to see what’s out there and what I might like. Not necessarily to find things first, then go to a store and pick them out. I browse when I go shopping at a store too. I try things on, check out things I normally wouldn’t just to see how it looks, try different sizes, etc. I go shopping both for fun and to get things I need. Sometimes when I’m out shopping for fun I get things and convince myself I got them because I needed (instead of wanted) them, if you know what I mean.

When it comes to clothes, I usually don’t shop online. It’s hard for me to find clothes that fit me right, and I like being able to actually see things and try them on before I buy. When I do shop online, it’s usually for something specific or unusual that I can’t find in a store.

Well…‘cool’ would be a Threadless shirt with a cool pic/awesome saying (If I were a vegetable, I’d be a radish, because I’m only kind of rad), whereas ‘fashionable’ would be one of those frilly things some girls wear. (frilly)

I like to shop mostly online because then I don’t have to go to the store…there are very few stores I enjoy just ‘browsing’ around, and none really fall into the ‘clothing’ category.

Also, when you shop for stuff at, say, Amazon, there is a HUGE variety of things that you can get in one place. Their catchphrase (Amazon.com, and you’re done) is very true—a rule of thumb, for me, is: If I can’t find it on Amazon, it’s either got very limited availability (i.e. Thinkgeek, Threadless) or can’t be found outside of ebay or other second-hand resources.

I’m not really a fashion-centric girl. I mean, I don’t want to look like a hag, but I only spend about 10 minutes total (and tops!) on my hair and makeup. So I also am very relaxed about what I wear, and I know what I can wear and look good. In life and in fashion (they are very linked, of course) I choose ease and comfort over challenges and wearing heels.

Also, it can be easier to find good deals on clothes online (i.e. lots on ebay) than if you’re looking in stores.

Although…I do love thrift stores. You never know what you’re going to find!

I guess I would just rather spend money on things I love (great yarn, great books, great tea) than on things that only get worn a few times a month or so.

Does that help? Am I rambling too much? :)

Shopping online is actually more expensive than just going to the mall. I paid $35 for a shirt that I saw for 20 at the mall the day after I bought the shirt online. I only shop online if I really want something and it’s only available online. The shipping and handling are just way too expensive, too. I mean wtf, I prefer to go to the mall and just buy whatever is there.
When I bought my backpack for this year, they told me it was limited, but when I went back you could see that half of the students had it. BUMMER!
UGH

As a college student paying for her tuition, rent, & all manner of other bills… I don’t actually go shopping that often. If I do, it’s at a discount store. So i guess I’m saying I look for discounts on good, long-lasting clothing.

As for what I like… I love stores that seem to have it all – I tend to dislike “store hopping” because of the dents to my wallet. Except shoes. Man, I could spend all day in a shoe store. I could spend all week in seven.

(PS: I realize my situation isn’t the norm.)

Forever21, Urban, Buckle, Lucky = That’s where I shop. And some other places if I find something cute.

I love little boutiques downtown, even the little no name ones.

I’m a few years off the age range, but I’ll answer anyway:

I shop online at Threadless (for the awesome tees) and Yesstyle (clothing from Asian brands that are often very nice, although shipping is horrendously expensive). But given a choice, I’d rather do my shopping in-store, to try the fit and also to make sure that the yellow jacket is a buttery yellow and not a dim goldenrod yellow. However, I have ordered stuff online when I was too lazy to get to an actual store. =P I always check Retail Me Not for discounts before scoping stuff out online.

I kinda like Charlotte Russe for shoes and things at low prices (although some of their stuff falls apart fairly quickly); I went into an Urban Outfitters exactly once, and all I remember was the stairs and thinking, “No way will I spend this much on my clothing.” There’s also a Nordstrom Rack that recently opened up nearby, and there’s some really nice stuff at prices my wallet can live with.

I guess I prefer stores that have a greater variety of things because I’d like to just go to one or two shops to find something I need, rather than browse through 4 or 5.

& about half of my clothes cost under $20, and most of them never went beyond $40. I don’t shop recreationally—just to expand my wardrobe and for when I need very specific things (dresses, formal shoes, etc.).