N.O.A

One of my favourite lines from Sex and the City, (the series, not the films) is “you can shop online! – No, shopping is my cardio“. Having lived a few years under this mantra, I still can’t bring myself to fully bask in the online shopping world. As much as I spend hours window shopping online, I still believe in test-driving my clothes first. I am very petite, and annoying as it is, not everything looks good on a 4ft 11 and a half inches of girl, so getting out the house and browsing the stores is not only a favourite pastime, but a necessity in my case. But when it comes to those online e-tailers, and boy there are loads of them, I have to admit that they are used for inspiration. Most of the time.

So I have decided to compile a list of my favourite, go-to virtual shops. Each one has its own ethos, style and of course fashion. What makes a good online shopping site comes down to branding just as much as the clothes it has to offer. Each new shop that pops up, hopes to offer an edited version of what we want. Finding a niche and compiling designers that match, is not always an easy task, and well some do get this very wrong. You can’t just expect to get in on the ASOS action.

Bengt is definitely one of my go to places. It’s great for discovering new designers, all of which conform to a certain kind of style that’s a little bit different. You won’t find any boring dresses here. There is also a sense of community when it comes to Bengt, the designers, bloggers and site-owners come across as friends and so when surfing the site, I feel as though I’m invited into their world.

Not only does Bengt provide a place to go to be inspired, but it puts together some truly great editorials. They work quite closely with a certain well-known blogger by the name of 5 inch and up but it is their latest that really caught my eye.

I found out about Pixie Market when I visited the Lower East Side store. They have a way with turning typical high street trends and making them more interesting. What I really love about the online store is their shoe collection, which comprises of platforms, flatforms and wedges that will help you not only stand taller, but stand out.

Although an American based site, they do ship internationally, and if you spend over a certain amount the shipping is free.

Dolls Kill is site after my own heart. It takes the punk rock streetwear of my teens and gives it a more grown-up and accessible twist. With brands such as One Teaspoon, UNIF and Wildfox Couture it knows it’s niche and has fun with it. Again, this is an American e-tailer and some of the pieces can be found on the UK ASOS site, but it has a better range from these designers and with free shipping worldwide, you can’t go wrong.

“Encouraging personal freedom from a defined style, and the balls to stand out from a crowd,” Dolls Kill supports underground brands and gives you a handpicked collection of clothing that is sometimes missed from the more mainstream sites. If you like your fashion a little rough around the edges, this is a site for you.

Avenue 32 was only launched in December 2011 and is the perfect place to go for high-end fashion. The site is the culmination of founder Roberta Benteler’s expertise in business strategy and finance, love of fashion, and interest in emerging technology with Erin Mullaney, previously Buying Director at Browns, as the Fashion & Brand Director.

They pick out cutting-edge international labels, and offer the latest in high fashion clothing, shoes, and accessories. It’s perfect if you have some extra cash lying around or need some luxury inspiration.  They also produce some great editorials for their own online magazine, which both images below are taken from.

What are your favourite places to shop, or just browse online?