Recent returns
Hoping my bad habit can be beneficial to you
If I had to keep every single thing I ordered online1, I would be screwed. I have a bad habit of ordering things for “research purposes”, as I tell myself. It’s this fun and crazy experiment where I don’t have to have as much self-control when online shopping because — I can always send it back!
To be fair, I really do, almost always, send it back! I am very picky and honest with myself about what I will truly wear. More often than not, I am disappointed that a piece I have been pining over for the last 6-12 months doesn’t look the way I had imagined the last 900 times (I hope this level of obsession over clothing is not unknown to you, but also, I kind of do).
A lot of these items I’ve tried over the last several months are fairly ~popular~ so if you also have been curious about them, I’ve included photos and exactly WHY I returned them. Aaaand I’ve added a poll to each one because I’m curious. Xx
How can something that looks so cool on the model, look so much like a bed sheet on me? Bummer.
This one was an easy “Ciao!” I didn’t love the busy pattern, the material felt plastic-y (because it was plastic), and I don’t like spending significant money on one-hit-wonder pieces, unless they truly feel wondrous. I could’ve saw this coming from Ciao Lucia2 but I still felt the need to learn the lesson for myself.
Ancient Greek Sandals Saionara Jelly Flips3
I bought these shoes after much debate because they look like an elevated, unique, and high quality version of my most staple summer shoe. I am always reaching for flip flops. That makes them worth investing in right?? But for the price tag, I wasn’t confident I loved them THAT much more than my $19 Havainas.
This swimsuit brand has rave reviews, which is hard to find for a bikini! I bought it on Amazon Prime day with a 25% discount code to help take the edge off. When it arrived, I didn’t feel particularly amazing in it, I mostly felt guilty because I knew I was panic-buying before an upcoming vacation. I have 3 swimsuits already which I like fine enough. Honestly it is such a cute suit, just not one I need to invest in right now.
COH Beverly Low Slouch Boot Jean
This purchase was heavily swayed by the 40% off discount. I really like Citizens of Humanity jeans, but these were more boot cut and less slouch than I had in mind.
Some take-away’s from the experiments
Think about the places I would wear a piece to before I buy it. As cool as the that first Staud Sawyer top is, I can’t realistically think of anywhere I would feel comfy wearing it
Don’t buy one off pieces unless they are a full body yes. Looking at you, Ciao Lucia dress…
Go shopping in-person4 to experience trying things on without having to spend $$
What are your recent returns? I’m dying to know.
Xx, elle
PS see footnotes for some more recommended reading, I’ll always take the opportunity to link to my other fav substack writers <3
My soapbox speech about returns is that I will not be made to feel guilty about them until companies use a more diverse range of models (a single size 14 person does not count) and, at the very least, provide garment measurements!
A poll on shopping items; let's make this a regular thing, shall we?
You know I land in the box of shame when it comes to buying and returning. Honestly, I think my return rate is embarrassingly high because I am also very picky. I'm glad to see that you returned that Staud shirt because I've romanticized it a bit after seeing it on other people. Not only would it probably not look great on me BUT where would I actually wear it?!