5 Mistakes People Make While Shopping Online (and How to Stop Making Them)

Online shopping is undoubtedly therapeutic. It is exciting, rewarding and almost always helps you get through minor inconveniences in life.
The instant gratification you get from clicking “buy now”, the possibility of upgrading your style, finding pieces that fit perfectly, finding pieces that you see trending online, and curating a wardrobe that works for you; these are some of the many reasons why shopping online is fun and popular.

However, while the process is enjoyable in itself, the downside is that many people shop recklessly. They end up spending big amounts of money, most often on clothes they can never wear, sizing that feels “off”, and a wardrobe that doesn’t reflect who they want to be.

If you’ve ever looked in the mirror wearing an outfit you were excited about and thought “Why doesn’t this look like what I imagined?” – you’re not alone.

Here are the five biggest online fashion mistakes people unknowingly make while shopping, and how to avoid them.

Trusting Photos Blindly & Not Understand the Fit & Fabric

One of the most common online fashion mistakes is relying solely on product pictures. The outfit looks stellar on the model for a number of reasons including the fact that it is styled and the space is well lit with no unflattering shadows.

Why it is a mistake:

Lighting, posing and pinning can make any outfit look great. But what determines whether a piece of clothing actually works for you is:

• The fabric type (stretch vs structure)
• The cut (oversize, boxy, fitted)
• The natural way the fabric interacts and moves with your body shape

How to avoid it:

Always pay attention to the fabric composition, try to zoom in to see the texture of the product and read the “fit” notes rather than just relying on the pictures. These will help you get a better understanding of what the piece will look like on you.

Skipping The Size Guide & Assuming

A lot of people order a product in their “usual size” and hope for the best. The problem with this is that different brands have their own sizing nuances. This makes returns in fashion high.

Why it’s a mistake:

Every brand has its own grading system, silhouette specs, and pattern measurements. An “S” in one brand may not necessarily mean the same with another.
Sometimes even within a brand, one product may not fit the same as the other due to fabric composition, make and the like.

How to avoid it:

To avoid this online shopping mistake, all you have to do is make it a point to check the measurements (size guide) every time. Double check your measurements, compare and only then decide on a size. Avoid assuming what your size is and actually use a tape to measure yourself. Remember, several brands run consistently small or consistently large.

Pro tip: A virtual stylist can help you measure yourself like a pro.

Relying on Generic Reviews Instead of Looking For Body-Match Reviews

A 5-star outfit on someone who is 5 ’10 ” with a straight figure, may inevitably be a 2-star experience on someone who is petite or curvy. Checking these reviews may only help to the extent of the generic product quality, not fit or style.

Why it is a mistake:

Shoppers commonly skim through the average ratings and reviews, not realizing that fit quality varies dramatically by body shape, size, height, and other proportions. Body shape fit issues are in fact, one of the most common fashion faux pas you can make while shopping online.

How to avoid it:

Read through the reviews in detail, not just skim. Look for reviews from people with similar height, weight, proportions and style preferences as yours. Genuine photo reviews reveal almost everything product photos don’t.

Buying Trending Pieces Without Understanding Your Personal Style

Another one of the most common online fashion mistakes people make is choosing trending pieces blindly. While trends are super fun, the fact is that not every trend loves you back.

Why it’s a mistake:

When buying trends, most people end up with pieces that feel “weird” or “not me” not because the item is bad, but because it doesn’t align with their personal aesthetic, lifestyle or proportions. This leads to the trend feeling off on them, and subsequent disappointment.

How to avoid it:

The first step is to build clarity around your core style, personal preferences, flattering silhouettes, etc. Trends should ideally complement your style – not confuse it. It is ok if a trend is not for you; you can always find ways to personalize it to fit your aesthetic.

This is where a virtual personal stylist can help you; they can help define your personal style and build confidence in your own skin, so you won’t make this online fashion mistake again.

Overlooking How a Piece Fits Into Your Existing Wardrobe

Impulse buying is one of the most notorious online shopping mistakes – and it is rampant particularly today. Buying cute looking tops is all fun and games until you get home and realize it doesn’t match any of your bottoms. It works in other ways too – trending bottoms that you cannot wear with any top you have.

Why it’s a mistake:

Most people shop item by item, without a comprehensive understanding or thought of how it fits into their existing wardrobe. They fail to think of the full outfit or about their overall style direction – how can I practically use this item with the things I already own?
This leads to stark wardrobe gaps, mismatched aesthetics, and the famous “nothing to wear” syndrome.

And the worst solution people find for this is buying new pieces just to match the impulse item in question.

How to avoid it:

Before adding a piece to your cart (no matter how much you like it), ask yourself: “What three outfits can I create with this?” – if the answer is unclear, skip the product.

How a Virtual Personal Stylist Can Fix These Issues

A virtual stylist can help you avoid these costly mistakes by giving you clarity and direction. Contrary to common belief, they don’t try to sell you clothes; they in fact, help you maximize your existing wardrobe.

They analyze your body shape, lifestyle, complexion, personal brand and wardrobe needs, and guide you towards pieces that actually work for you. This results in fewer returns, smarter, more intentional purchases, and a wardrobe that feels out and out YOU, rather than accidental or “all over the place”.

Ready to Stop Making These Mistakes?

If you’re tired of guesswork, of having a ton of outfits but “nothing to wear” and clothes that don’t really feel like “you” it might be time to get personalized guidance.

With the help of a virtual stylist, you can shop confidently, understand what truly suits your body and lifestyle, and build a full wardrobe that works in real life – not just in theory or online.

Whether you are struggling with fit, always overwhelmed by choices, or simply unsure of what your personal style is, a personal stylist can help you. The right kind of support can help you save a lot more money, time, and frustration than you thought!

Book one of our eye-opening virtual styling consultations today.

FAQs

What is a virtual stylist and how do they help with online shopping?

A virtual personal stylist gives you ultra-personalized fashion recommendations and advice based on your body shape, size, complexion, lifestyle, wardrobe needs and style preferences. They guide you through everything from fit to colours, to fabrics and smart shopping strategies so that you can avoid common online fashion mistakes.

How to choose the right size online?

To choose the right size online, first measure yourself with as much accuracy as possible. Use a measuring tape and determine your common measures like waist, bust, hips, and waist to feet.

Then refer to the sizing guide for every outfit before you decide on the size to get. Compare the sizes to your measurements and find out the best fit.

Hiring a virtual personal stylist can also help you better understand sizing charts, compare brand sizing and even measure yourself. They can help determine the best sizes for different types of fits, silhouettes and fabrics – reducing guesswork and returns.

What if I don’t know my personal style?

That is exactly where a virtual stylist can help. With the help of guided, purpose-driven questions, wardrobe analysis, and thoughtfully curated recommendations, they can help you define a unique style that works for your body, lifestyle and goals.

How do I find the best fabrics for my body shape?

To find the best fabrics for your body shape, you must first get a fair understanding of how different fabrics behave against the natural curves and silhouettes of the body. You must also understand the attributes of the fabric; whether it is stretchy or structured, shiny or matte, etc.

Understanding these aspects can help you get a clearer idea of what fabrics to choose. You can also seek the help of a virtual stylist; they can help discover the most flattering fits for your body shape, giving you perpetual confidence.

Is virtual styling useful if I live outside India?

Yes, absolutely. Virtual styling is location independent. Whether you are in Canada, or the US, the UAE or anywhere else in the world, the styling process works seamlessly through virtual consultations and personalized digital shopping guides.

Do I need a big budget to work with a stylist?

Not at all. Many people work with stylists specifically to avoid wasting money on clothes they never wear. Hence, it is more about making smarter choices, not big budgets.
You can learn insightful things like how to shop smarter online, how to work around body shape fit issues, online shopping reviews, tips and more with a virtual personal stylist -these give you more value considering the longer run as well.
Besides, at Lune by Bhagya, we offer quick and easy styling packages starting from just Rs. 3000.