Just went a bit happy happy at ASOS . New purchases for tonight... :)
Review of online shopping experience post-purchase:
ASOS is an amazing online retailer, with everything from budget in house brands, to indie labels, and highstreet labels such as mango, traffic people etc, to designer labels such as Sonia Rykiel, Antipodium etc. Because of this, it makes for a shopping mecca of sorts, with thousands of products to choose from at all hours of the day.
Since they introduced their new "wishlist/save for later" feature, I have been constantly on the website adding whatever catches my eye for later. This is particularly useful because I live in Australia, and as such must pay for higher shipping costs for the delivery. Their international shipping cost is approximately $18 (after conversion) flat rate. In the face of this, I prefer to make larger orders to maximise shipping rather than order one or two products. So when I have accumulated enough items, or when there are promotions running, i'll just revert to my wishlist and add it in the basket for delivery.
I put in my order on Sunday night, and on monday morning received an email from ASOS advising it had been shipped. Very impressed. However, it took a full two weeks from their date of shipping until it reached me, so I wasn't as impressed as I originally was in the end. I base this on previous experiences I've had with UK based online stores where I have often received my goodies within one week. 2 weeks seemed a bit much for me.
The products came well packaged in individual plastic sleeves, and in a big box. Everything I ordered was in there, and sizes ordered correct. Individual product reviews are below.
All in all, I am satisfied with my experience with ASOS. I am still in two minds about their flat rate shipping - on one hand, I do like it because it is value for when I have lots to purchase. On the other hand, it makes me order more for the sole reason of spreading the shipping cost. Watch this space ;)
To Love Kuvaa Dress from The Laden Showroom:
Product review: Very impressed with the quality of this product. The seams were well done, the dress was lined, and the fabric appeared to be quality cotton. Unfortunately, the dress didn't fit me but I knew it wouldn't before I ordered it. (I am a UK6, and order a size Small which was a 8-10). Not too worry, I unpicked the lining and did some alterations and now it fits. But for others, this might not be ideal. Oh and one other thing, the dress is fairly short. I'm 5'2 and it reached mid thigh on me so I couldn't fathom how short it would be on taller people!!
Skinny Leather Red Bow Belt:
Product review: Again, impressed . Real soft leather for a bargain price. It is however, too big for me (size small again), so I will need to take it to the cobbler to put some more holes in it. Oh well. Story of my life ;)
Wal G Striped Bow Dress for my Sister:
My sister asked me to purchase this for her, and on receiving it she wasn't terribly impressed. The jersey was fairly thin and cheap, and the dress extremely short. The model herself looks fairly tall, and my sister is about 5'1, so she expected it to be longer. Alas, it still sits about that length on her. You've been warned ;)
Motel Seagull Print Playsuit:
Product Review: I'm in a playsuit kinda phase at the moment, and this one did not disappoint. I ordered this in their XS (6-8) and with the shirred back, it fits perfectly. Again, it is a little short, but I think it goes well with the summer look of the playsuit. The quality of the product was also very good, and all the seams and stitches straight. The only thing that wasn't totally accurate was the colour. On my screen, the colour looks more dark sky blue . but in real life,the blue is more a royal / almost navy blue. It didn't bother me, but it might others .
French Connection Cream Detail Shirt:
Product review: Hmm. This is an interesting one. The pictures below indicate some cute little sequin details, but when I got the shirt, it came with sequins, beads, buttons, the lot. Consequently, the shirt is quite heavy and doesn't look cute.. more... strange than anything. The sizing is a generous size 6 (as most French Connection items are), and the colour is more cream than white. I'm not in love with this , though I expected to be.
Cheap Monday Big Bow Plaid Top:
Product review: Again, I ordered this knowing it would be a tad big .
The Cheap Monday size XS was more for an 8 than a 6 , and given that this is a loose top, the XS turned out to be massive. Not too worry, i put some darts in at the back, and it fits me fine.
Quality? Good. Not amazing, but good. The cotton is lightweight plaid, but doesn't feel cheap to me. The bow is huge, but is adjustable (ie. you tie it yourself), so you can play with it as you please.
My only other comment for this one is that, while I got a Cheap Monday tag for it, the actual sewn in tag said "Kostym". Not sure what happened there?? All my Cheap Monday items always comes with the same skull tag as this one.. but on my other items, they have a Cheap Monday tag sewn in as well. Oh well, not too fussed cause I like the top.. but just something I noticed.