Fashion keeps evolving, so why not the way people shop? There’s always a better, easier way to do something and getting that perfect new outfit shouldn’t be any different.
Walking around a mall can be fun, but it takes hours and visits to multiple shops to find something worth splurging on. Plus, it’s possible that the shops don’t stock that particular item, which leads to another trip to a different mall. There isn’t always time for that. Then there’s all the work that goes into keeping track of sales, knowing when new lines are coming in, and finding more effective ways of sorting through styles.
Every fashionista knows that staying on top of their style game requires dedication. But there are amazing tools out there that can make the process much easier. Whether it’s choosing a new outfit or finding that one elusive skirt.
These 5 fashion apps are like a compact personal stylist that’s on hand every minute of the day.
1. Like To Know It (iOS / Android)
Instagram is a fashion-favorite app with thousands of influencers sharing their latest styles and wardrobes every day. Unfortunately, though, the app isn’t exactly set up for easily finding where those perfect pair of shoes came from. Even if the person lists the brand in the photo description, there’s no easy way to shop for an item found on the app.
Those who sign up with Like To Know It will get the shopping links of items they like on Instagram sent to them via email. This only works with items that are captioned with shopping links, and it’s not the most seamless way of finding items. But it’s the best option available right now.
One downside to buying new clothes is the closet space they take up. A lack of space can become a big issue. Plus, plenty of people buy a shirt that seemed great in-store but then ends up not wearing it all that much. Leading to a bunch of clothes just gathering dust at the back of a drawer.
Tradesy is a brilliant solution to this issue because it’s a marketplace for authentic second-hand designer fashion. People can both sell their own clothes and buy other’s pieces at huge discounts. The store takes a 9% cut from every sale, but they handle the whole shipping process and offer a return policy to buyers.
3. The Hunt (iOS)
The Hunt offers shoppers a positive way to draw on each others’ opinions and builds on people’s savvy bargain hunting skills. A shopper will upload a picture of an item they want, along with size and budget, then wait for the magic to happen. Others will use that info to find the item for them, so it’s essentially like a human-powered fashion search engine.
4. Finery (iOS)
Finery is a great tool for keeping track of what’s in a closet. It collects receipts of any new purchases and builds up a complete digital wardrobe. There’s also a handy feature that allows users to plan outfits or digitally pack ahead for an upcoming trip. The app even has a reminder system in place for when someone wants to return an item they bought. Besides, Finery will analyze items in the wardrobe, and make style suggestions as well as propose new purchases that could complete an outfit.
5. Stylebook (iOS)
Stylebook is probably the most well-known fashion app out there. But it still deserves a place on this list for those who don’t yet know about it. This app isn’t free, however, the amazing tools it offers is worth the price tag.
Getting dressed has never been more fun than with this virtual wardrobe which catalogs every piece of clothing a person owns. They can then plan their outfits ahead using the calendar feature, create a virtual pack list for a trip, and get expert style advice. The calendar feature also comes integrated with a “Style Stats” feature that shows how often a piece of clothing is worn. This helps people figure out their personal style and see whether an expensive item is worth it or not.
Staying Safe is Stylish Too
Any of these apps can be a wonderful addition to a trendsetter’s app drawer, but convenience is only one side-effect of installing various apps. The other, less friendly, side-effect is malware. Unfortunately, fashion apps are big targets for hackers because they’re so popular. And once a hacker gets into a mobile phone, they can wreak all kinds of havoc, including stealing credit card details.
It’s important to install security software, like a VPN, to keep the smartphone’s connection to the internet safe. Look out for great deals on popular VPN services – for instance, Reddit regularly has NordVPN coupons (https://nordvpn.com/coupon/) up for grabs.