When shopping for luxury shoes, more and more women are choosing to peruse the options online – particularly as the Covid-19 pandemic continues and as social distancing and mask-wearing rules remain in place. While filling your online basket is no match for the feeling of visiting your favourite designer boutique and trying on a pair or two first-hand, it’s a safer and more convenient way to shop – and with the plethora of options available far outweighing the limited choices available in-store, it’s little wonder that it has fast become the preferred.
Even so, there are some points to consider, and getting the style, size and fit of a shoe right without being able to try it on can be tricky. But the experts at online store Larizia say that there are a few ways we can make online shopping for shoes a seamless and enjoyable experience.
We asked them to share their top tips for sophisticated shoe shopping success – all that’s left for you to do is log on, fill your digital basket and treat yourself to another luxury spree. After all, we could all do with a wardrobe overhaul for the new season, and we all know that shoes are the best place to start.
Check the product specifications
When doing your luxury shoe shopping online, it’s easy to get swept up in the glamour of a pretty picture of that beautiful new pair of heels – but before rushing to click the ‘complete order’ button, be sure to check the specifications out first. As well as checking the size, be sure to take the fit into account, too – if you have particularly wide feet for example, then this is going to be important.
Read the product description in full and take note of the materials the shoes are made from to ensure comfort and quality. Also be sure to check the manufacturer to ensure you’re not unwittingly purchasing replicas rather than the real deal, which is more common online than you might think.
Read the colour description
Often, online product photos are not a true representation when it comes to colour, and can look different on different screens depending on the contrast and brightness settings, too. To avoid any unwelcome surprises, read the colour description before you buy. We’ve all ended up with something pink that looked red at some point in our lives, so it’s wise to investigate to avoid the inconvenience.
Some websites feature a customer review section, where buyers have uploaded photos of their purchases. This is a great place to look for images of the real thing so that you’ll know exactly what it is you’re getting.
Read the reviews and ratings
Speaking of reviews and ratings, it’s always wise to check these out before making a purchase to ensure that the product lives up to expectations. Take a look at the overall rating, look at individual reviews in detail, and make up your mind from there. If you’re shopping on a new site, then this should help you to decide whether it’s a reputable one, and will give you peace of mind when shopping for authentic designer goods.
Check the credibility of the seller / manufacturer and the payment terms and conditions
Consider checking the different social media accounts of any new online sites you visit, or of the manufacturer of the shoes you have your eye on. Sites such as Trustpilot are also a great place to source information on a company or brand’s credibility, and to read reliable accounts of previous customer experiences.
Make sure to read the refund policy before you buy, too – there’s nothing worse than being stuck with an expensive pair of shoes that don’t fit because returns are not accepted, so know what you are getting into beforehand before you commit.
Armed with these tips, you’re all set for luxury shoe shopping success online – so go on and give that autumn wardrobe an overhaul.
