When it comes to clothing I’m usually not afraid to buy online. Sight unseen doesn’t really matter. If I dislike something I can just return it.
Bags are a different story though. I love many of Anthropologie’s bags but I am hesitant to buy them online. Take the Lime Valley Bag in the shot above. From the product shot I would have guessed it was a shoulder satchel. But the photo with the model makes it clear this is more like a large tote than a small grab and go. Anthropologie calls it a shoulder bag to which I cock an eyebrow and say, “Oh, really?”
It was much the same with the Meteors & Might bag. The price isn’t a good clue — I would have guessed this bag to be purse size but it could easily double as a small overnight bag. It works the opposite way too. The Daydream Braid Bag looks pretty big but is really just a large purse. Maybe big enough for my mini-netbook but not large enough for my real laptop.
Some kind of common object to compare against would be nice. I suggest adding one shot on the mannequin like they do for their cold weather gear. It would lead to many more impulse website buys. Hint, hint Anthro.
I agree! I hate it when websites don't model actually model the bag. It happened with me and the Foley & Corinna Jet Setter Jr. bag- I ordered it from Revolve Clothing (and neglected to pay close attention to the measurements, shame on me). I figured hey- it has "Jr." in the name, so it's small! Hahahaha, wrong wrong wrong. The thing is like a big tote on me. I still like it and I kept it, but it was a complete shock when I pulled it from the box. Argh.
LOL! This happened to me more than once with Anthropologie. The most recent time was over the summer when Chan Luu's bag with the rosettes came on sale. I thought it'd be a decent medium-sized handbag where I could put a long-sleeved t-shirt and a paperback and my sunglasses, but it turned out to be ginormous. I could have put half my wardrobe in there and taken it with me to the beach!http://cgi.ebay.com/Anthropologie-Potpourri-Bag-by-Chan-Luu_W0QQitemZ130274181537QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20081207?IMSfp=TL081207158002r23235(if you're curious which bag I mean.)
I have the same issue with jewelry. Showing earrings and necklaces on a mannequin or a model would help (which they do sometimes for the catalogue or special section on the site). And I know they give measurements (you'll find me holding a tape measure or ruler up to myself often), but I'm very visual and seeing it would get you a better idea.