How to make the most of shopping online
Shopping online is a busy mum’s lifesaver. You have instant access to the best kids’ clothing and shoes in the world – without having to leave the couch. And if you’re prepared to do a little price matching, you can nab super-cheap kid’s gear. Here are our top tips to making the most of online shopping:
- Know what you’re looking for before you start, and the size and material you need it in
- Keep an eye out sales on kids’ clothing and shoes
- Sign up for email updates from your favourite stores (you can get discount codes and early notification of sales)
- Know your seasons and check out overseas sites. Since their seasons are opposite, you can snap great clothing and shoe bargains in advance
- Know your rights. Check out the ACCC Online Shopper’s Checklist before you get your credit card out
What makes a good online store
A good online kids’ clothing and shoe store is worthy of bookmarking. You should be able to tell in a few minutes if you’re destined for an easy breezy shopping experience. Here’s what to look for in a kids’ clothing site:
- Easy navigation – whether you’re after kids’ clothing or shoes, you should be able to find the section in seconds
- Make sure they have a clearly displayed conditions and return policy
- Customer reviews or testimonials (mums are great for providing honest reviews of a product or service)
- A large sale section
- A fast checkout section
- Clearly displayed fabrics that the item is make out of
- Low postage fees (you don’t want to save on kids’ clothing only to spend a fortune on postage)
- Customer support – you should be able to email through any queries and get a fast response
The Spot's online kids' clothing sites
There are a heap of great kids’ clothing and shoe stores featured on The Spot. Here are some great online stores to get you started:
- BIG by Fiona Scanlon - gorgeous, stylish looks for little ladies.
- nooshie – check out the oh-so-cute organic T-shirts from this boutique brand.
- lazypatch – discover this nifty “duvet” suit and boots to keeps kids snuggly from couch to bed.
- Mickey House Kids – browse designer baby and kids wear at affordable prices.
- Mini Merino Kids Clothing – keep kids warm and stylish in this top quality merino wool clothing.
- PJ Emporium – check out comfy and cute jammies for babies and kids.
Online shopping tip: learn the return policy
Worried about clothes you bought online not fitting? Don’t be. Here’s how to make returning online almost as easy purchasing:
- DON’T rely on guessing. Before you buy, measure your child and thoroughly check the site’s sizing
- Make sure you’re aware of the site’s terms and conditions or return policy
- Beware of the fine print: sometimes sale items are non-returnable
- Find out the cost of postage if you need to return an item
- Don’t remove the tags off your children’s new clothing or shoes (until you know it fits)
- Check out the ACCC’s returns guide
Online shopping tip: shop safely and securely
If you take the right precautions, shopping online is as safe (and sometimes safer) as shopping anywhere else. Check out these easy tips to shop safely online:
- Make sure the order/payment page is secure: a secure site will start with https:// NOT http://
- Be careful of your password and details – do not share them with anyone
- Look for official-looking security tokens around the site – like ‘Approved by Visa’ or the closed lock symbol
- Pay attention to the site's privacy agreement – and how they will be using your details
- Keep a copy of your receipt
Online shopping tip: know your clothing sizes
Particularly when buying online, you need to know what size you need – as there is no chance to try it on beforehand. International sizes can seem confusing, so check out the below guides for kids clothing and shoes converted into Australian sizing:
Clothes:
| UK | European | US | AU |
| Newborn | 50 cm | Newborn | 00000 |
| 0-3 m | 50-56 cm | 0-3 m | 0000 |
| 3-6 m | 56-62 cm | 3-6 m | 000 |
| 6-9 m | 68-74 cm | 6-9 m | 000 |
| 9-12 m | 74-80 cm | 9-12 m | 00 |
| 12 m | 80 cm | 12 m | 0 |
| 12-18 m | 80-86 cm | 12-18 m | 1 |
| 18-24 m | 86-92 cm | 2T | 2 |
| 2-3 | 92-98 cm | 3T | 3 |
| 3-4 | 98-104 cm | 4T | 4 |
| 4-5 | 104-110 cm | 5 | 5 |
| 5-6 | 110-116 cm | 6 | 6 |
| 6-7 | 116-122 cm | 7 | 7 |
| 7-8 | 122-128 cm | 8 | 8 |
| 8-9 | 128-134 cm | 9 | 9 |
| 9-10 | 134-140 cm | 10 | 10 |
| 10-11 | 140-146 cm | 11 | 11 |
| 11-12 | 146-152 cm | 12 | 12 |
| 12-13 | 152-158 cm | 13 | 13 |
| 13-14 | 158-164 cm | 14 | 14 |
Sources: About.com, Online.Conversion.com
Shoes:
| UK | European | US | AU |
| 0.5 | 16 | 1 | 3-6 m |
| 1 | 17 | 2 | 6-12 m |
| 2 | 18 | 3 | 2 |
| 3 | 19 | 4 | 3 |
| 4 | 20 | 5 | 4 |
| 5 | 22 | 6 | 5 |
| 6 | 23 | 7 | 6 |
| 7 | 24 | 8 | 7 |
| 8 | 25 | 9 | 8 |
| 9 | 26 | 10 | 9 |
| 10 | 27 | 11 | 10 |
| 11 | 28 | 12 | 11 |
| 12 | 29 | 13 | 12 |
| 13 | 30 | 1 | 13 |
| 1 | 31 | 2 | 1 |
| 2 | 32 | 3 | 2 |
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