4 of Ashley Graham's Secrets to Shopping Online Like a Pro
Supermodel Ashley Graham has mastered the art of online shopping one click at a time.
“With my crazy schedule, I practically have no time to shop around in stores anymore,” says Graham. “Now when I’ve got a day off, I like to take one hour, hop on a few websites and boom—have lots of options at my doorstep in a week."
Besides getting to skip the dreaded dressing room lighting in most stores, Graham says one of the biggest benefits to getting everything shipped is that you can instantly try it on with other items in your wardrobe to see if it’s worth the investment. “Sometimes when you slip things on in a department store or boutique, it’s hard to imagine if it will actually go with the other pieces you already have hanging in your closet. When I’m at home, I try on a new buy with my current wardrobe staples and it’s pretty easy to see when something works. And whether you’re trying on a T-shirt and jeans or a cocktail dress, it just feels more comfortable at home,” she adds.
Graham also says to buy two sizes when you’re in doubt and pay attention to fabric quality when you’re browsing. “If an item doesn’t have stretch and looks like it might run small, empty your cart,” she says. “I also take a good look at the percentages of a fabric—how much silk versus cotton or spandex, so I have an idea if something will last after a wash or two."
For more of Graham’s go-to strategies and sites that always deliver a fashion score, keep scrolling. And check out her monthly column in InStyle, available on newsstands and for digital download now.
DON'T LIMIT YOURSELF TO SO-CALLED PLUS-SIZE SITES
"Sometimes I'll see something online that I love and think, 'There is no way I'm going to fit in that.' But the truth is, you never know until you try. I've ordered amazing body-con party dresses from House of CB and Nasty Gal and a regular size large was fine. And when I want to splurge, I like Opening Ceremony for clothes and cool accessories."
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KNOW YOUR MEASUREMENTS
"As a model I have mine memorized, but I tell everyone it's key for shopping on the web as well. Grab a tape measure and document every inch of yourself—bust, waist, hips. Then head to the sizing chart. It really is there for a reason, not to set you up to fail. Asos is the best place for trend pieces because it gives you the height and size of the model. It has video, too, so you can see how the product moves."
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SAVE TIME WITH A ONE-STOP SHOP
"My schedule has been busy lately, so I like boutique sites that curate a bunch of different brands. Right now I'm obsessed with Cover Story NYC. It carries a line called Elvi that has the most gorgeous jumpsuits, in addition to other great brands for curves, like Rachel Pally and Universal Standard."
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MAKE INSTAGRAM YOUR PERSONAL SHOPPER
"I’m always scrolling through Insta and tapping away to find out where everyone’s outfits are from. It’s an easy way to find the new, under-the-radar brands. I recently came across Mei Smith, which is now a go-to for well-made basics with a casual, laid-back vibe."