Happy Friday! For real this time 😅

I sent out an email on Wednesday that said happy Friday. I'm sorry about that! I plan these emails in advance to make sure I stay consistent, and sometimes things get mixed up in my head.

But for today's topic...

Let’s talk about a very modern dilemma:

💻 You add things to cart.

📦 You wait for them to arrive.

👗 You try them on and suddenly… it's giving potato sack energy.

👋🏻 Back to the post office they go.

(Or worse… you forget to return them in time and now you're stuck with a dress you might wear ironically at Halloween)

We’ve all been there!

I love online shopping. Like, deeply. But that wasn’t always the case.

I used to be a mall girl through and through. Walking through every store, iced latte in hand, trying on 27 things I had no business buying. Hitting up the sale rack like it was a sport.

And if you didn’t finish your mall trip with Auntie Anne’s pretzel cinnamon sugar bites? Did you even go to the mall?

But these days? I can’t stand malls. Too loud. Hard to find things I like. The dressing room lighting is borderline offensive.

Sure, it’s good cardio… until you “accidentally” end up at the food court, covered in cinnamon sugar and mild regret 😅

Online shopping just makes sense now.

💡But here’s the thing: online shopping only works when you do it smart — otherwise it turns into a return-fest and a waste of time and money.

So today I’m sharing my go-to strategies for nailing online shopping without losing your patience, your paycheck, or your personal style in the process!

Step 1: Know Thyself (and Thy Closet)

Before you even open your laptop, let’s get clear:

Are you shopping to fill a gap in your wardrobe — or just looking to feel something? No shame either way. But being honest about it helps.

Real-life tip - Before buying anything, ask yourself: (take 30 seconds to think about this)

• Do I already own something similar?
• What am I hoping this piece will do for me?
• Will it go with at least 3 things I already own?

🟢 If it’s a yes across the board — proceed.

🔴 If not? It’s probably a “scroll for serotonin” situation. Close the tab and drink some water girl.

Step 2: Take Your Measurements (Don’t Skip This)

Listen, I know it’s not fun. But it’s SO worth it.

Sizing across brands is basically the Wild West. One brand says “medium,” another says “good luck and Godspeed.”

So here’s what you do:

• Grab a soft tape measure (or a piece of string + ruler if you're in a pinch)
• Write down your bust, waist, hips, and inseam
• Keep it saved in your phone notes

Then actually read the size chart. Every time. I know it’s tempting to “just guess,” but this one step can save you SO many returns.

Step 3: Read the Reviews Like a Detective

This is where the real info lives. Don’t just look at the stars — read the comments 👀

What to look for:

• Fit: Does it run small? Oversized? Weird in the shoulders?
• Fabric: Does it feel soft and thick or cheap and scratchy?
• Real-life photos: Especially helpful if someone shares their height/weight and how the piece fits

🏆 Bonus: Sites like Spanx​, Quince, and Boden are great at including detailed reviews — often with customer photos, sizing recs, and fit notes. I always scroll through those before deciding. Even if I know the brand well!

Step 4: Use the Search Bar (Don’t Get Lost!)

Online stores are basically giant warehouses — and if you don’t know what you’re looking for, it’s easy to end up 17 pages deep in “floral midi skirts” when you were supposed to be shopping for denim shorts.

Use that search bar like a pro. Type in:

• “Linen button-down”
• “Wide leg jumpsuit”
• “Cropped jeans"

The more specific you are, the faster you'll find what you actually need.

🏆 Bonus: Use filters to narrow by color, price, size, fabric, etc. (this depends on the store) That way, you're only seeing things that have a chance of working for you and your specific needs.

It saves you time and you'll spend less money on things you don't need.

Step 5: Cost-Per-Wear is Queen

You’ve probably heard of cost-per-wear. It’s a simple way to think about whether something’s worth it or not:

Price ÷ How Often You’ll Wear It = Cost Per Wear

A $100 blazer you wear 50 times = $2 per wear ✅ (once a week for one year)​
A $50 neon dress you wear once = $50 per wear ❌

So yes, sometimes the better choice is spending more up front. Especially for basics, neutral shoes, denim, or outerwear.

Step 6: Be a Shipping & Returns Detective

Check the return policy before you checkout:

• Free returns?
• Refund or store credit?
• 14 days or 90 days?

Some brands make it ridiculously easy. Others make you jump through flaming hoops.

Know before you buy — especially if you’re testing a new brand or in between sizes.

And while you’re at it: don’t let returns sit in your trunk for a month. That’s how they turn into donations.

Step 7: Tailor the Keepers

Don’t return a “pretty close” piece just because it’s not perfect — especially if you love everything else about it (the color, the fabric, the way it makes you feel... minus that one small thing).

A $15 hem or small tweak can turn “meh” into magic. Even affordable pieces can look designer-level when they fit your body just right.

Think of tailoring as a mini upgrade. Like buying a $50 dress that looks like $150 — just because it fits like a glove.

And let’s be real: it's way cheaper to spend an extra $15 on a hem than to go back to square one, re-scroll through 84 similar items, re-order, re-wait, and maybe still not find anything better.

If you wouldn’t wear it as-is but know you'd wear it 100x with a tiny tweak? Tailor it.

It’s the smartest $15 you’ll ever spend on your wardrobe.

⭐️ Bonus tips (because why not!?)

• Read the Care Label Before You Buy: If you don’t want to hand wash or dry clean… don’t buy something that requires it. No one needs that kind of laundry guilt.
• Sign Up for Emails (then unsubscribe if you want 🙊): Brands always give discounts to first-time subscribers. Get the code, use it, and then unsubscribe if you don’t want more emails. (unless you love them obviously! Like this super fun email you're reading right now)
• Pay Attention to the Model's Measurements: Many websites list the model’s height and size. Super helpful for figuring out where something might hit you length-wise.
• Beware of the "Free Shipping Trap": If you’re adding $40 of random stuff just to hit the free shipping minimum… that shipping wasn’t free. That's called a $40 detour.

At the end of the day, online shopping should feel like a little gift to your future self — not a full-time job that ends with a return label and mild regret.

You deserve clothes that fit, flatter, and make you do a little happy dance in the mirror — not ones that live in the back of your closet with the tags still on.

So next time you click “add to cart,” do it with intention. Use the tips, trust your gut, and remember:

You’re not just buying clothes — you’re curating a wardrobe that actually works for your life.

And hey, if all else fails… there’s always the cinnamon sugar pretzels 😜

Thanks for reading!

XO,

Aimara

Check out these articles next:

• ​How to use outfit formulas to get dressed fast​
• ​40+ cute summer date night looks​
• ​How to choose the perfect swimsuit according to your body shape​