[Read our update here.]
Have you ever wondered what it's like to shop at ASOS.com, the UK's so-called "Online Fashion Store"? I know I have! So I finally decided to place my first order and review the goods. Here's how it went:
Navigating the site: A truly daunting task indeed, ASOS.com has thousands of products, from clothes and shoes to jewelry, handbags and other accessories. They carry their own inhouse brands as well as high street brands like French Connection, and designer brands like Miss Sixty and Betsy Johnson. A very impressive roster indeed but hardly budget-friendly...more on that in a moment.
My plan of attack: Hit up the mid-season sale, where items were up to 40% off. I narrowed the field down further by searching only for ASOS Collection items--basically I wanted to see how their own brand stacked up to other fast-fashion chains, so I avoided the designer duds.
Next, I had fun searching for styles by "x" celebrity--ya know, where you can find stuff inspired by stars like Sienna Miller, Kate Moss or the Olsen twins. It's entertaining, and actually useful if you have a few celebrities muses whose style you like to emulate. If nothing else, searching by celebrity will help you narrow down your options.
Another helpful feature at ASOS is that you can see almost any product in motion using the "click to view catwalk" button. This brief video clip shows you how a garment fits and moves (albeit on a perfect, skinny model, strutting to the sounds of some impulse-buy inducing dance music.)
After many wasted hours spent here and there surfing the ASOS.com site, I finally decided to get a plaid bomber jacket ($27.05), black denim leggings ($45.08), and a black dolman sleeve off-shoulder top ($36.06). I wasn't thrilled with these prices, in fact, I found everything to be rather overpriced, but I placed my order for the sake of research purposes. Really!
Shipping: Exorbitant shipping prices are probably enough to prevent me from every placing another order from ASOS. I understand it's coming from Europe, but I nearly choked when I saw that my order would cost $40 to ship via standard shipping. Unreal. Also, be prepared to wait a long time to get your goodies: I placed my order on the afternoon of Wednesday, October 15, and received my package more than a week later on Friday, October 24.
Sizing: Converting currency is easy as ASOS.com has a nifty little dropdown that lets you switch between Euros, pounds, dollars, etc. But figuring out your U.S. size is really tricky. I referred to their sizing chart, but just didn't trust it...in the end, I decided to order one size up from my usual U.S. size for the jacket and shirt (ie., from a 4 US to a UK 6) and two sizes up for the leggings (ie., from a 6 US to a UK 8L). Miraculously, everything fit perfectly but I think it was blind luck more than anything. Had I listened to their sizing chart, I would have ordered completely the wrong thing.
Quality: Now for the moment of truth--what was the quality like? Well it wasn't bad, per se, but it wasn't worth the $40 shipping. I'd say the quality of ASOS brand clothing is similar to Forever 21. The fit is also similar to that of Forever 21, although in some ways, Forever 21's stuff fits me better. The sleeves on the bomber jacket could have been an inch longer; the leggings fit like a charm but they're really tight around the ankles and are difficult to get on and off. The top I bought is really cute, I love the sleeves and the long length, but the fabric is super thin. Drapes nicely, but I doubt it will hold up well in the wash.
Style: I love the look of my plaid jacket, it's super cute and perfect for fall. But it's also pretty flimsy material, more of a fashion layering piece than warm outerwear. I also love the denim leggings, they have the look of a legging but a little more substance to them than your basic cotton/spandex. I can't wait to tuck them into warm, furry boots and layer them under big, comfy sweaters for winter. My new top has an 80s vibe with the off-the-shoulder thing, but it has an updated silhouette and with the right accessories, I think it will be a favorite of mine for fall.
I wanted to try some ASOS brand shoes, but unfortunately I am on a self-imposed shoe ban right now. I'm also not sure how ASOS accessories or formalwear stacks up--they have a lot of cute-looking stuff but I can't imagine the quality is all that great in person, judging by the few items I purchased.
Overall: ASOS lures you in with their incredible selection of the latest styles, many inspired by what we're coveting from the runways or what we're seeing on celebs. But at the end of the day, the prices are WAY too high for what you're getting (and the dollar just doesn't go far these days). I would never consider ordering any item that wasn't on sale. Shipping costs are ridiculous, and I think this is enough to prevent me from ordering from them again. I got lucky with the fit of the items I ordered this time, but can you imagine what it would cost to return stuff you didn't love? Scary. My advice is this: Sign up for ASOS.com emails for updates on the latest styles and tips for how to wear them, then find similar looks at your local mall.
Have you ever shopped at ASOS.com? What did you think?
My plan of attack: Hit up the mid-season sale, where items were up to 40% off. I narrowed the field down further by searching only for ASOS Collection items--basically I wanted to see how their own brand stacked up to other fast-fashion chains, so I avoided the designer duds.
Next, I had fun searching for styles by "x" celebrity--ya know, where you can find stuff inspired by stars like Sienna Miller, Kate Moss or the Olsen twins. It's entertaining, and actually useful if you have a few celebrities muses whose style you like to emulate. If nothing else, searching by celebrity will help you narrow down your options.
Another helpful feature at ASOS is that you can see almost any product in motion using the "click to view catwalk" button. This brief video clip shows you how a garment fits and moves (albeit on a perfect, skinny model, strutting to the sounds of some impulse-buy inducing dance music.)
After many wasted hours spent here and there surfing the ASOS.com site, I finally decided to get a plaid bomber jacket ($27.05), black denim leggings ($45.08), and a black dolman sleeve off-shoulder top ($36.06). I wasn't thrilled with these prices, in fact, I found everything to be rather overpriced, but I placed my order for the sake of research purposes. Really!
Shipping: Exorbitant shipping prices are probably enough to prevent me from every placing another order from ASOS. I understand it's coming from Europe, but I nearly choked when I saw that my order would cost $40 to ship via standard shipping. Unreal. Also, be prepared to wait a long time to get your goodies: I placed my order on the afternoon of Wednesday, October 15, and received my package more than a week later on Friday, October 24.
Sizing: Converting currency is easy as ASOS.com has a nifty little dropdown that lets you switch between Euros, pounds, dollars, etc. But figuring out your U.S. size is really tricky. I referred to their sizing chart, but just didn't trust it...in the end, I decided to order one size up from my usual U.S. size for the jacket and shirt (ie., from a 4 US to a UK 6) and two sizes up for the leggings (ie., from a 6 US to a UK 8L). Miraculously, everything fit perfectly but I think it was blind luck more than anything. Had I listened to their sizing chart, I would have ordered completely the wrong thing.
Quality: Now for the moment of truth--what was the quality like? Well it wasn't bad, per se, but it wasn't worth the $40 shipping. I'd say the quality of ASOS brand clothing is similar to Forever 21. The fit is also similar to that of Forever 21, although in some ways, Forever 21's stuff fits me better. The sleeves on the bomber jacket could have been an inch longer; the leggings fit like a charm but they're really tight around the ankles and are difficult to get on and off. The top I bought is really cute, I love the sleeves and the long length, but the fabric is super thin. Drapes nicely, but I doubt it will hold up well in the wash.
Style: I love the look of my plaid jacket, it's super cute and perfect for fall. But it's also pretty flimsy material, more of a fashion layering piece than warm outerwear. I also love the denim leggings, they have the look of a legging but a little more substance to them than your basic cotton/spandex. I can't wait to tuck them into warm, furry boots and layer them under big, comfy sweaters for winter. My new top has an 80s vibe with the off-the-shoulder thing, but it has an updated silhouette and with the right accessories, I think it will be a favorite of mine for fall.
I wanted to try some ASOS brand shoes, but unfortunately I am on a self-imposed shoe ban right now. I'm also not sure how ASOS accessories or formalwear stacks up--they have a lot of cute-looking stuff but I can't imagine the quality is all that great in person, judging by the few items I purchased.
Overall: ASOS lures you in with their incredible selection of the latest styles, many inspired by what we're coveting from the runways or what we're seeing on celebs. But at the end of the day, the prices are WAY too high for what you're getting (and the dollar just doesn't go far these days). I would never consider ordering any item that wasn't on sale. Shipping costs are ridiculous, and I think this is enough to prevent me from ordering from them again. I got lucky with the fit of the items I ordered this time, but can you imagine what it would cost to return stuff you didn't love? Scary. My advice is this: Sign up for ASOS.com emails for updates on the latest styles and tips for how to wear them, then find similar looks at your local mall.
Have you ever shopped at ASOS.com? What did you think?
Anywoo, I went to the post office to ship it back and they told me that it would be $40 (not including insurance) to ship it back. So, I paid $60 for a shirt, but instead I got pair of leopard PJ's in a size small.
I would agree that its not worth the shipping cost and risks; look around for similar styles online (US sites) and in malls. I will admit they have some cute stuff on their site.
http://www.aerosoles.com/product1.asp?P=TINTCESS
i love asos. i've ordered from them time and time again and have always been pleased with the fit, cost and quality of my purchases. i suppose it depends on what you buy, but i would never liken what i got to something you could pick up at forever 21. neeeverrr! i usually get amazing stuff when they have sales as well.
also, given the current state of the global economy, us shoppers will be pleased to find that uk currency is, while still ahead of the dollar, not double the dollar.
xx.