Scrolling through page after page of dresses that look virtually identical—online shopping used to seem like a time-saver, but now the choices can often feel overwhelming.
And can we talk about the fit? Once you choose the right look, there’s no guarantee that it will be the right size, the best color, or most flattering style. Chances are good you’ll be packing it up and sending it back to where you bought it.
If you’ve ever wished you had a personal stylist to help you make decisions about what to buy or how to accessorize what you already have in your closet, your prayers have been answered. These online companies give you advice on what to buy and what to wear.
Quinn
Based out of New York’s WeWork Chelsea location, Quinn provides in-person advice to shoppers from professional stylists. The stylists will arrive with clothing and accessories that look good on you and fall within your budget. Instead of stressing out and wasting precious energy wondering if a shirt or a hairband is attractive, Quinn can give you the real scoop.
“Our stylists spend a lot of time to understand your style, body type, and budget to ensure that you look great and feel confident,” says John Orekunrin, CEO of Quinn.
Need something for tonight? Same-day availability means you can look great for that last-minute event.
Snap+Style
Snap+Style, which is based out of WeWork NoMad, lets you take photos of clothing and receive real-time advice from stylists. Show the stylists the idea you have for an outfit, give them a rough idea of their budget, and specify what type of event it’s for.
“We at Snap+Style believe that every woman should have the option of having a personal stylist,” says Anna Jensen, co-founder and chief brand officer. “We want to give women a boost in confidence, and know we always have their backs because we work hard to make these women the best that they can be.”
The best part is that Snap+Style doesn’t make you buy a whole new wardrobe.
“It’s an opportunity for women to get out of their comfort zone, try new things, and discover new brands or products, all while utilizing the items they already own in their closet,” she says.
Dressometry
Finding the perfect dress isn’t easy, especially online. You may like a certain style, but the dress isn’t long enough, or the color isn’t exactly right.
“The typical online shopping experience is catered to browsing—lots of scrolling and lots of being told what you should want,” says Kurt Kimmerling, who started the WeWork Dumbo Heights company Dressometry.
Don’t have endless hours to shop? You won’t need it with the website’s “Design Your Own Dress” feature. First you choose the style and color you prefer. You can further narrow down your choices by choosing how daring you want to be—anything from conservative to bold and daring.
“We’ve built an experience that empowers users with more control over their shopping,” says Kimmerling.
Photos: Snap+Style, Jasmin Tieu