The 10 Hacks That Transformed How I Shop for Clothes on Amazon

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As Good Housekeeping's gifts editor and a fashion enthusiast, I'm not ashamed to admit I spend a lot of time browsing Amazon Fashion. Whether I'm searching for affordable ways to pull off the season's latest trends or I'm hard at work hunting down the best gifts on Amazon, you can often find me sifting through countless pages of clothing and accessories to uncover the best of the best (no complaints here!).

In my younger days, I was consumed with fashion labels, believing that quality always came with a hefty price tag. But my perspective changed when I started shopping for clothing on Amazon. After being disappointed a few times by subpar items, I decided to be more discerning. I began reading customer reviews more thoroughly, focusing on photos from everyday shoppers instead of overly-edited product images and carefully analyzing fabric descriptions to help ensure quality.

Since many GH readers, like myself, turn to the online retail giant for affordable fashion finds, I’m sharing some of the best Amazon Fashion shopping hacks and tips I've learned over the years to help you score the best deals. I also checked in with GH's resident sales and deals expert, Jacqueline Saguin, as well as personal stylist Liz Teich of The New York Stylist, for their insights. Between the three of us, we've racked up hundreds of hours browsing and shopping on Amazon, so it's safe to say we know our stuff!

Keep these shopping tricks in mind, and you'll quickly become a pro at hunting down Amazon gems and minimizing returns.

1. Know when your favorite brands go on sale.

Step one is knowing what you're looking for — and when it goes on sale. Major sale events like Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day are prime opportunities to score deals on popular brands like Levi's, Calvin Klein and Coach. However, some of the best sales come from Amazon's own exclusive brands. "Amazon's in-house brands, such as Amazon Basics and The Drop, often see deep discounts during major events like Black Friday and Prime Day," says Saguin. "Additionally, Amazon offers a 'pay later' option on select items, allowing you to try on a piece at home and return it without being charged."

2. Before you purchase, add to cart.

Amazon has this handy feature that lets you save products for later, allowing you to track when they go on sale or if they're still in stock. Whether it's that trendy dress you keep seeing on your commute or the spacious leather tote your friend swears by for travel, creating a list before you start shopping is a smart way to save both time and money.

3. Screenshot, screenshot, screenshot.

If you've ever spent hours searching Amazon for that one item you can't live without, you'll appreciate this tip. Teich suggests taking a screenshot and running it through a Google image search to see if Amazon offers a similar item at a lower price. It's a quick and easy way to find the exact product you're looking for, or a very similar but more affordably priced alternative.

4. Use the Amazon app wisely.

When using the Amazon app, Teich likes to run images she's grabbed from Instagram or Pinterest through the Amazon Lens (a visual search tool) to find similar products. A barcode can also be used to find complementary pieces. Also cool: The tool is advanced enough to create an entire outfit! "This is such a great way to find what you're looking for on Amazon without the guesswork," Teich says.

5. Follow content creators' storefronts.

If you're obsessed with a particular content creator's style, consider following their Amazon storefront to check out their favorite picks (Teich's updated storefront is definitely worth a look). This visually appealing format allows you to explore their product recommendations without feeling overwhelmed. Plus, you can even watch live streams to see their go-to fashion picks and accessories in action.

6. Always vet customer reviews.

This may seem obvious, but reading reviews and looking at customer photos are essential when shopping on Amazon. It’s also wise to check an item's overall rating and the number of purchases, making sure the reviews are from verified buyers.

This can help you avoid purchasing something ill-fitting: "I rely heavily on reviews to get an accurate sense of sizing," says Saguin.

7. Check the materials.

You don’t need to be a textile expert, but knowing basic clothing materials can make a big difference in your shopping decisions. To spend wisely, steer clear of cheaper fabrics like polyester. "Instead, look for materials like 100% organic or Pima cotton, linen, Lyocell and viscose," Teich advises. "Avoid anything with polyester, rayon or polyurethane to ensure quality and the best value for your money."

8. Save on accessories.

Teich recommends saving on accessories while shopping on Amazon, especially for trendy items that might be out of style by next season. She’s discovered that many sunglasses on Amazon are made from the same plastic as high-end brands — minus the hefty price tag. What's more, some bags, like those from JW PEI, offer a designer look for less. "JW PEI has great bags that could easily pass as designer pieces," Teich says. "I had a client with a few in her closet that I initially mistook for designer handbags from a distance!"

It's usually wise not to skimp on shoes, as well-made styles tend to last longer and are more comfortable. However, there is one brand that Teich recommends buying on Amazon. "I normally wouldn't buy cheap shoes because I think it's important to buy quality footwear, but Feiyue sneakers are generally under $50 and are insanely comfortable, as they were modeled after martial arts shoes," Teich says. "My whole family wears them!"

9. Skip items that require tailoring.

While Teich is a huge fan of shopping on Amazon, she says it's best to avoid anything that needs to be tailored (think blazers and jackets). Be honest: How many times have you purchased clothing with the intention of dropping it off at your local tailor only to have it collect dust in your closet?

10. Enjoy the thrill of the hunt.

While she's had success shopping for clients on Amazon, Teich has also picked up a few gems for herself along the way. "I was coveting a sparkly rhinestone bag from a designer brand that I planned to wear to events during the holiday season, but didn't want to spend $250, so I looked to Amazon," Teich says. "It's the best $30 I've ever spent, and I'm still excited to use it even after a couple of years of owning it."

Joy Shoulder Bag

Aviator Sunglasses

Aviator Sunglasses

Conch Shell Earrings

Conch Shell Earrings

Bathing Suit Cover-Up

Bathing Suit Cover-Up

Hair Claw Clips

Hair Claw Clips

Clutch Purse

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