10 Reasons Why Shopping On The High Street Is Better Than Buying Clothes Online

Convenience and cost are two major advantages when it comes to fashion websites, with experts saying that traditional bricks and mortar stores must be wary of declining footfall. But new research today reveals that the majority of consumers still prefer the high street to online clothes shopping.

According to the Fashion Retail Academy, 61% of consumers like to try on clothes in-store and 70% still buy less than half their fashion items online.

In response to flagging sales, retailers are realising they need to up their game in order to entice shoppers back into stores, and it seems to be working.

It’s by far the biggest complaint when it comes to dissatisfied e-shoppers: sizing.

When choosing a size online you’re basically playing retail roulette, because who knows whether that so-called bodycon dress is going to look like a bin bag or if that oversized T-shirt is going to cling to your every curve.

There’s no such problem in shops, though, you’ll know straight away if something is the right size and whether it suits you once you’ve tried it on.

Online, the magic of styling, photography and retouching combine to make just about every garment look amazing – and it helps that models are usually gazelle-like beauties.

Excitement at the gorgeous maxi dress you’ve got for your holiday can swiftly turn to rage when you try it on to discover the slinky floor-length gown you ordered is actually baggy, ill-fitting and barely covers your knees.

This is particularly true for overseas sites – check out the #fashionfail hashtag on Instagram if you don’t believe us.

What happens when you do end up with the wrong size, poor quality fabric or something you just don’t like?

It’s got to go back, which means arranging a pick up or traipsing to the post office on your lunch break and queuing for ages. Extra life admin is what it is, and no one has time for that.

Plus, even if you want to keep your purchases, there’s often annoying delivery admin to deal with before you can get your hands on them.

Packages that don’t turn up on time, or go to the wrong address, or end up at a sorting office that’s miles from your house… shopping shouldn’t be this stressful.

Just think about all the airmiles and plastic packaging that accumulate if you buy from multiple retailers all over the world compared to when you wander down to your local high street and take home all your purchases in a reusable shopping bag. It’s what David Attenborough would want.

Another advantage of visiting your local high street is that you can browse independent retailers and support homegrown fashion talent.

Plus, you’re more likely to find something that no one else has if you shop locally, whereas all the big fast fashion sites churn out the same catwalk and celebrity trends.

Sitting on your sofa scrolling through the sale section of ASOS while munching on crisps and sipping on Coke isn’t going to burn any calories is it?

But flitting from store to store and trying on multiple outfits, now that’s going to get your heart rate going – so go forth and shop, but make sure you take the stairs instead of the lift.

Just as social media has actually made people less sociable because they feel like they’re connecting with friends on the internet and don’t need to make as much effort in real life, solo online shopping is nowhere near as fun as hitting the high street with your pals.

Having a second opinion when you’re not sure whether you can pull off a pair of ‘mom’ jeans or sock boots is essential if you want to avoid a changing room panic, and you can make a day of it with lunch or cocktails – or both.