After living in the UK for a few months I discovered the joys of online shopping. Grocery shopping was quick, easy, and always on time (Thanks Sainsbury’s!).
Shortly after becoming an online organizer of house old goods, I ventured into online clothing buying – enter ASOS.
Now this may sound risky, but when you work 1.5 hours from London and getting to the shops is not exactly easy – you learn your size and style very well.
I learnt very quickly that the size 8 model looked amazing in the Floral Frill Waist Dress – I on the other hand, did not. Even with the risk of getting the wrong thing, I shopped with gay abandon – the beauty of being able to post things that were not quite right back really helped
So when I moved back to South Africa and had to once again brave the malls of the Western Cape – I was concerned. I find nothing more draining than trying on a pair of pants that really don’t want to fit me in a cubicle whilst avoiding falling into the mirror or tripping over my shoes. Cape Town is a beach town, and South Africa favours the skinny - And even though I love Country Road with their generous sizes and wonderful fabrics, so does every other South African girl or woman. Their style (lovely as it is) has become a bit of a uniform.
But look! My beloved ASOS (with great clothes in sizes bigger than a 14!) now delivers to South Africa, and they have for a while. The only rubbish thing is that the super simple return if the item doesn’t suit is a bit more problematic. Oh, and the customs fee. As is the fact that you can’t insure post coming into South Africa -and the speedy service from the post offices (in opposite land)
So if you’re a bit bored with what’s on offer and want to buy something a little more unique, and ahead of our own fashion season – why not try it out?