Mini ASOS haul

I made a small purchase on ASOS last night. The items by themselves are not worthy of a post (although I'll talk about them below), instead I'm going to talk about how I came to purchase those items.

It all started with a tweet.

One of the tweeps I follow (sorry I don't remember who) tweeted a few days ago about the Love At First Blush from Stila at the bargain price of £10 at ASOS.

I clicked on the link, liked it and proceeded to have a look at the rest of their Stila collection. I was pleasantly surprised to see that ASOS now stocks Stila's Natural Finish Oil-Free foundation.

I was tempted to buy it last year but decided against it because Mecca charges $80 for it when it is half that price in the US. ASOS has the foundation for £25 which is much more reasonable. I couldn't remember what shade I tried last time, so on Monday I went to the Mecca counter at Myer Pitt St to colour match. The MUA was lovely and if the price difference wasn't so great I'd be happy to purchase there, but my wallet made the call.

Separately the ASOS leap year 20% off sale campaign is coming at me in all directions (e-mails, tweets, on their website). I succumbed and spent a bit of time over the weekend checking it out. I was very close to buying this dress in a lovely teal colour - it even has The Duke's seal of approval!

It is nice indeed but I didn't go ahead with the purchase because in the runway video the dress was riding up on the model. If it happens to the ultra skinny model, it will not sit well on me at all.

I have been busy at work at this week and last night I decided I need a bit of retail therapy. I had another look at the 20% sale, ummmmed and ahhhhed over a few clothing items but did't find anything. On a whim I went into the jewellery section and found something fun.

TLP is a big fan of Lego and Duplo and I thought he'll get a kick out of them. For £4.50 I can't go wrong.

Before I put the Stila blush into the shopping cart I searched for blog reviews and saw that the blush is lovely in real life.

It didn't feel quite right to submit an ASOS order without clothes so I went to the outlet page in an attempt to score some bargains. I had this dress sitting in my cart for quite a while - after all it's only £12!

It was almost 12am and I decided to make the purchase. Just before I click yes I thought I'll go to the Vogue Forum and see if there are any discount codes. It was a good idea because there is a code for $A20 off purchases over A$100 ("EDGE")! My cart was just under A$100 so I tried to add some more items, then I realised that the code doesn't apply to items on sale.

Falling into the trap of "spend to save", I headed to the full price section. After a whole lot more browsing I chose this simple Warehouse jersey dress.

With the $A20/£12 discount the dress set me back £23 - bargain! With this dress in the shopping cart I removed the purple dress.

Finally, at some ungodly hours I submitted my order with 4 items for £62.17.

So my purchasing decision was influenced by social media, online advertising, blog reviews and online forums. The amount of time I spent online browsing through ASOS catalogue was OTT to be honest, and something that I will not be able to do in real life. Neither could I have made a purchase after midnight.

This is the future of our shopping - anytime, anywhere, for any reason.

Think back to your last online purchase, what led you to press "Submit"?

P.S. You can use code LEAPYEAHOZ to get 10% of all items includng items already on sale. Happy shopping!

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The Etail Queen's Etailers Directory

I'm very excited to annouce a brand new feature on The Etail Queen - an online shopping directory!

The directory features Australian and overseas etailers that ships to Australia, with up to date information on shipping cost and timing, shopping-friendly features, and commentary from yours truly. I have spent hours working on the list and I'm only up to F, so I decided to publish the directory in batches.

Of the sites I have reviewed so far two are worthy of extra mentions.

Forward by Elyse Walker is an US-based retailer of designer brands including Givenchy, Alexander McQueen and Larvin, and it offers international express free shipping! It deserves to be up there with Net-A-Porter for luxury etailing.

Their website has a neat feature. As you click through the different views the small image on the left also changes so you're always seeing the item from 2 angles. Go and give it a try, I really like it.

Free People is another US-based e-store aiming at the youth crowd. It has recently changed its shipping cost to Australia to a flat $US7.95 so it's very accessible. The feature that I like is "Shop by Girl" - choose one of the five girls featured on the top of the page and items in her style are on display.

Thank you to the person who compiled the initial list - if it is you please let me know so I can credit you! I enjoy updating the list and checking out new and wonderful etailers out there.
I'll be working hard reviewing the rest of the list, and will let you know when I make the next update.

Enjoy browsing the 50 etailers featured in the A-F section of the directory here!

Please note I cannot be held responsible for any purchases you make after reading the list :-D

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MARNI for H&M

It was a happy accident that I went on the H&M website last night because I discovered MARNI at H&M!

I've been an admirer of MARNI for a while but their clothes are out of my price range. Their bold prints and cuts are unique and refreshing.

The MARNI for H&M collection captures the playful looks without the hefty price tags - what a potent combination!

Here are some of the looks from the collection.

I like the display of the collection on the H&M website, very sleek.

There are so many gorgeous pieces in the collection so it's hard to choose a favourite, but if I'm getting one thing I'll pick this maxi dress. The prints are so different but they work well together.

If I can get two pieces I may "break" the above look into two and get a top and a skirt so I can get more wear out of them.

One of the best things about this collection is the fabrics used - they're either machine-washable silk or cotton in most cases.

I'm so tempted that I may register to the H&M UK website now (online shopping is not availabe on the US website) and use a UK parcel forwarder so I can get my hands on some of the goodies on March 8.

Have a look at the collection (and the ad by Sofia Coppola) and let me know your favourite pieces in the comments!

Update: I'll be receiving a few items from the collection through the lovely Clare who bought them for me in the UK! I will report back when I receive the parcel :-D

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Model vs mannequin?

I was going to write an Etailers Don't post about e-stores that only have one photo per product but I didn't have much to say beyond "it's not good enough". As I went through different websites for research I thought about how etailers decide to display their goods on sale. When it comes to fashion there are three options - use a model, dress up a mannequin, or create an "invisible mannequin" effect.

Before I compare the three options, I find the method used in creating an "invisible mannequin" pretty interesting. I thought they use some kind of wire frame to prop up the outfit, but instead it's done using a mannequin and some photoshopping.

As expected, they take a photo of the outfit on the mannequin, but what I didn't expect is that they also take a photo with the mannequin wearing the outfit back to front and inside out.

Photo credit: Chris Brock Photography

By photoshopping the two images together and removing the mannequin from the image you get this.

Photo credit: Chris Brock Photography

Pretty nifty isn't it?

Now back on topic. I'm going to use Diane von Furstenburg and her iconic wrap dresses to compare the three display options. First, the model. This is from the DvF website. Pretty simple, the model is doing her best impression of a mannequin.

Or the model can strike a pose or two.

From Shopbop

And from Bloomingdale's

The dress can also be part of a "look" (from Shopbop)

Some etailers use models but "chop off" the model's head to focus on the item on display (from Net-a-Porter).

Next up is the headless mannequin (from Zoe)

It's also favoured by The Outnet

The mannequin can be suitably accessorised too.

Last but not least, some choose to let the clothes do all the talking.

From Net-a-Porter

And The Outnet

So which method is the best? From a customer point of view it's nicest to see the outfit on a model, but it is the most costly option for the etailer (mannequin don't need make up, or payment for their service). The etailers save on makeup and hair when they opt for "headless models" shots, but I find it a bit strange to not see the face of the model.

The headless mannequins are somewhat creepy but if suitably accessories it can still create an interesting look. A skin-toned colour mannequin is much better than a grey one IMO - the latter looks too ghostly!

The "invisible mannequin" is the cleanest look as there is nothing else to distract your attention from the item on display, but somehow it leaves me a bit cold.

From an etailer's perspective, the biggest question is: Which method is most likely to make you buy the item on display?

Personally speaking, I don't think it matters. Despite my opinions above, if I like the item I'll get it regardless of how it is displayed. Well, that is my consciousness speaking. I don't know if a model is likely to subconsciously make me more likely to buy something.

Are you more likely to shop from websites that use models? Or do you favour the "invisible mannequin" look?

Do you prefer

• Models
• Mannequins
• "Invisible mannequins"
• Doesn't matter
•  

P.S. I really want a DvF dress now ...

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Beauty potions from Audra James

The internet is a bit like a city. There are the deparment stores and the high street brands, and then there are the alleys and laneways with interesting stores that await our discovery.

I first came across Audra James on Twitter. I don't remember if she followed me and I returned the favour, or if I saw her being mentioned by other tweeps and started following. What I can remember are the lovely skincare concoctions that she tweeted about and recommendations of her products from other tweeps I follow. She also tweeted links to her blog with articles on her skincare range.

My mother-in-law's birthday is coming up and I thought it'd be nice to get her something unique, so I contacted Audra via twitter about her bespoke body oil. What a joy she was to deal with - always prompt with her replies, friendly, and knowledgeable. I was so impressed that I added to my order twice - first the Body Glow Treatment Oil as a body moisturiser for myself, then a facial oil for my mum who wants something to help with her dry skin.

Soon after Audra finished creating the facial oil I received her parcel.

Each product came with a detailed note with information about the ingredients and directions on how the use the products.

I can't comment on the products for my mother-in-law or my mum but the Body Glow treatment oil is heavenly! The lavender and mandarin essential oils create a beautiful aroma and the oil is nourishing without being sticky. It definitely makes me moisturise more often.

Besides becoming a customer, I have also recommended Andra's products to tweeps who wrote about their skin problems. In fact I did that before I placed the order. Why did I become an advocate? I think it's because I feel her passion about skincare and her pride in her products through her tweets. Twitter, besides being a wonderful way to connect with like-minded people and access the latest news, is a great marketing tool - if you put the effort into it. Audra certainly has, and she backs it up with excellent customer service, and of course quality products.

I checked with one of the tweeps who made a purchase after I recommended Audra to her and it is pleasing to know that she is happy with the product. In fact I'm tempted to make a skincare order for myself :-D

Interested? You can visit her website, read her blog, or follow her on Twitter. And Audra has kindly agreed to be interviewed for The Etail Queen so watch this space.

P.S. A few readers have some new items on eBay :-D

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The Outnet family and friends discount

I don't know why but I'm really responsive to offers from The Outnet.

I saw the tweet on Friday night about the extra 20% off for family and friends, and proceeded to spend way too much time looking at dresses that I have no reason to buy.

From the international/UK site:

If I am going to the Oscars I will definitely go for this Marchesa stunner!

But since I'm not, and I don't have money to burn, here are some dresses that are within my price range.

Tory Burch Dora dress - love the vibrant print.

Marc by Marc Jacobs polka dot dress - totally on trend!

M Missoni printed silk dress - fun print and great colour combo

From the US site:

Robert Rodriguez sequin-embellished dress - great detailing and a flattering cut

Sonia by Sonia Rykiel belted cotton dress - something a bit different that will be lovely with tights in winter

Edun fringed print dress - lovely cut and the fringe is a nice touch

Out of the above I like the Tory Burch and Sonia by Sonia Rykiel dresses the most. But I can't really justify buying any of them.

The discount (code SHARELOVE20, excludes Just In items) ends midnight on Monday 20 February in their respective time zones. Are you planning to get anything?

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Etailers Don't: Out of action

I was at Myer yesterday and I saw the new Autumn/Winter catalogue, and I thought I'd have a look at the Myer website last night.

I thought this Nicola Finetti dress is very pretty so I clicked on "Shop Designer Collections".

And this came up.

It is bad enough that the e-store is down for maintenance. Myer managed to make it worse by showing such an unprofessional looking message, and there is zero information on when the e-store will be back up again.

You can do better than that Myer. Step up!

P.S. The e-store is back up now but the point remains.

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What size am I?

No, this is not going to be a post about weight.

We all know that sizing between brands are inconsistent. But by how much?

Apparently it can be quite a bit. A clever lady from the UK, Anna Powell-Smith, collated clothing size information from a number of UK and US retailers and built an interesting app called "what size am I?" that helps you find the brand and size that best suit your body measurements.

I found the article on The Guardian and it listed the bust, waist and hips measurement of UK brands included in the app. Below are the measurements for 5 brands in size 12 (in centimeters).

FCUK	Zara	Topshop	ASOS	Dorothy Perkins
90	94	92	91	92
74	74	74.2	73	73
99	102	96.5	98.5	96.5

As you can see, the sizes vary by a lot. For instance there is a 5.5cm/almost 2 inch difference between hips measurements for Zara and Topshop/Dorothy Perkins.

I was also interested in comparing the standard measurements published by the brands and actual measurements from items that I own.

First, this dress from ASOS.

ASOS's published measurements for size 12 are 91-73-98.5. The measurements of my dress are 89-79-97.

Next up in this Dorothy Perkins dress.

Dorothy Perkins' published measurements for size 12 are 92-73-96.5. The measurements of the dress are 93-77-[I didn't measure the hips as it is an a-line dress].

So it appears that actual sizes are not that consistent with published sizes. Nonetheless I think this is a handy tool to see how different sizings between stores are. If you want to have a play yourself, the app is here and the Guardian article written by the creator of the app is here.

Are you frustrated by the lack of consistency in size between brands? Do you find this app useful?

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What's in the box?

Fast as a flash I received by Shopbop order yesterday.

What lovely presentation!

Yay to my first Missoni purchase :-D

There are some gold sparkles in the zig zag scarf which weren't visible in photos on Shopbop, can you see them in the close up?

Here's a quick model shot.

I can't wait to wear it in winter!

And there are the Juicy Couture princess studs.

I must admit I didn't check the measurements so the earrings are smaller than I expected, which is fine - I was worried they they'd be too big!

Another self-portrait.

I asked The Duke to take this photo so you can see the lovely crown claw.

I'm really happy with my purchases and Shopbop sets the bar high for etailers. If you haven't bought from them before do yourself a favour and check them out :-D

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