Posted by: Hana Gabrielle
How convenient is it being able to buy a pair of denim jeans that are only physically sold in Japan or being able to avoid the line up and overly anxious customers at your favourite local store all by way of the Internet shopping trend.
I will make it known that I have recently found an obsession over this new way of shopping. I come from a family where females are the majority in the household. So, it comes as no surprise that I am surrounded by shop-a-holics (if you knew my sisters, you would understand). Poor daddy, had to deal with once an overflow of shopping bags lying around in the house to now an overflow of shipment boxes and excessive doorbell rings from the Purolator guy.
Independent shopping sites are extremely convenient. Yes, if you’re looking for something specific from a specific type of online store. But what would top that convenience and also add a little visual stimulus and social media connection is having online “superstores” which sell or link to other shopping sites through one site. It’s similar to an infamous “Wal-Mart”, except that it’s online, it has higher end suppliers or brands, and of course, a different clientele. Wait, just scrap the “Wal-Mart” analogy, you know what I’m getting at.
As an avid shopper with a keen eye for style, I don’t mind spending “x” amount of hours in a day hunting, stumbling and finding new things. Two of my most favourite sites that act like one big continuous shopping channel but also have a touch of a social aspect to them are www.svpply.com and www.wanelo.com. (These sites should have a disclaimer warning other shopaholics and fashionistas it may foster increased spontaneous spending habits).
Svpply.com
Svpply, is a site where people discover the products the love by communicating with members and their postings. Every one of their 1.1 Million products on their site are by efforts of the members sharing and posting their finds over the web.
For instance both men and women will be exposed to an array of higher end clothing and online clothing shops such as http://www.lagarconne.com, http://www.norestore.com and http://www.endclothing.com. Also, they’ll soon discover new media types such as BULLET Magazine, an art and fashion quarterly from sites like http://www.needsupply.com.
Wanelo.com
Wanelo, pronounced “wah-nee-lo” comes from “WAnt, NEed, LOve” (How creative is that? ) Started by Deena Varshavakaya, it is a social store curated by the community where they share, post, organize and follow products they like. You’ll find things and link to other online shopping sites you never even knew existed.
For instance, you’ll stumble on obscure things like this type of coffee mug from http://www.thinkgeek.com or this unique chandelier from http://www.potterybarn.com and even this native inspired hipster backpack from http://www.tillys.com.
Mind you, these channels I find are for those who like to spend their time searching for the rarest things. It’s for the shopper and style feen who would normally spend their time at Marshalls, Winners or Value Village hunting through the racks, browsing hanger by hanger until something strikes them. And I’m that type. I patiently find reasons to spend a buck. Ha!
You’ll find that both these sites are somewhat similar but they offer qualifiable differences. At the end of it all, they both serve their purposes. They socially, creatively and in fact brilliantly lure us into a spending frenzy. No one ever said that was a bad thing.
Maybe, only Dad.
