If you’re like me, the subtle changes in spring weather have you digging deep into your closet to pull out some long-forgotten summer favorites. You might also realize it’s time to replenish your seasonal staples a bit. In my case, I realized I was missing a few summer dresses. With seasonal trends already trickling in from the Northern Hemisphere, I know what’s next.
Between brat summer, piratecore, and “bohemian chic,” what I really need are some floaty, slightly sexy dresses to get me through the warmer months. My wardrobe is almost all black with a more “brat” aesthetic, but I’d love to have a few airy white sundresses to balance out the vibe.
This is the vibe of people who share my vision. Image: Getty
Sure, I can’t empty my bank account to my liking (thanks cozzie livs), but my approach to shopping has become a lot more strategic these days. I’m not kidding. It’s basically a precision sport.
I’m the kind of buyer who likes to scout my options and mull over an item for at least a week before taking the plunge, I also like to know if the cost of an item I buy is commensurate with how much I’ll wear it, and I always check out items when they go on sale.
Luckily, I’ve found the perfect virtual assistant to help me in my quest: shopping apps — specifically, the Australian-owned app Carted.
What I love about being able to create a “list” is that it allows me to visualize all the items I’m considering in one place. While fighting the natural urge to have 20 tabs open at once, Carted gave me the opportunity to please my brain by showing two slightly different dresses from two completely different vendors side-by-side.
This list is handpicked by me. They vary widely in price range.
Be warned, this is not an app for rush shoppers. For me, that’s exactly what makes it fun – it’s an app to help you make more thoughtful decisions when planning your purchases. In that sense, it’s not only a handy shopping companion, but also a valuable tool for budgeting. Instead of risking buying three white summer dresses (when realistically you’ll only wear one), you can create a list and compare looks, as well as add multiple vendors for one item to compare prices and see the difference in cost. In addition to being budget-friendly, it also helps you keep track of when sales are happening.
This COS dress is sold in two different places, with a $10 price difference.
There are several “wardrobe companion” apps on the market that allow me to have a more cost-effective (and more curated) summer wardrobe. Dare I say it, is this the “smart girl” way of shopping?
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By Rebecca Mitchell, Senior Writer