As the school year commences, many students ask the same question: What should I wear this week? We all walk in with the hopes of representing our individuality, identity, and cultural background. Getting these clothes once required a trip to the store, but with the rise of technology, our shopping habits have definitely changed. Online shopping is convenient, making it the easiest way to get clothes. Now, with just a few clicks, you can have a brand-new outfit sitting outside your door. But, do people fully rely on online shopping or do they still prefer going to stores?
At Townsend Harris High School, many students see shopping in stores as a waste of time and money. “I prefer shopping online as it saves me time, money, and energy,” said Junior Ananya Detering, who admits that shopping in-person has certain benefits, such as being able to try on clothes beforehand. However, to Ananya this does not compare to the advantages of shopping online: “Stores such as Edikted have massive sales online [that] are not recognized when shopping in-person, which in turn saves me money.” Amelia Legaspi vocalizes the different “variations [online],” making it easy to find the right item for you, and along with this, certain stores “also [have] free delivery.” It also provides an opportunity to get sold out items that may not be available in stores: “When you shop online you always have a selection of clothing to choose from, in-store you don’t have the same privilege. The options become more limited and depend on the time of year,” said Amelia. For many, purchasing back-to-school clothing online has made shopping, once considered an overwhelming task, into an efficient, time-saving, and even therapeutic experience.
Even though shopping online has been favored by some, it still does not mean that the idea of shopping in-person has completely disappeared. Students still appreciate the ability of going out to stores with their friends. “I definitely think that shopping in-person is better, […] Online shopping [is] inaccurate-even if they have your size, you never know if that’s gonna fit you […] or look good on you,” said Chole Dojillo. By trying clothes in-person, it allows people to better understand what they are purchasing. They are able to see and feel the quality of the material and ensure adequate sizing and fit. As a result, in-person shopping can save more time than we think by guaranteeing that your purchase will not need to be returned or go to waste. “I prefer shopping in Roosevelt Field Mall. They have [every store] and it’s never crowded compared to the city,” said Chloe. Shopping in person can also be considered a social activity. “I prefer shopping in-person with my friends and family,” said Gabriela Herrera. Satisfaction is also found through the immediate gratification of having the items right away, as opposed to waiting multiple days for delivery, “I am able to receive the items automatically and I can also try on the clothes. I can see how they fit for myself, not how they fit based on some chart,” Senior Dylan Sugrim said.
While it’s clear that online shopping has become increasingly popular throughout the years, primarily due to its convenience, in-person shopping has proved to be a more reliable and enriching experience to most. It is not only just a way to get more items in your closet, it is also a bonding experience with friends and family. In-person shopping creates a space for people to try on new things, build relationships, and obtain a sensory experience — all of which cannot be provided by online shopping alone.
