Have you ever found an incredibly cute piece of clothing online with the perfect details and would suit your closet just right? Some would click "add to cart" in an instant, but most shoppers check the reviews first before committing to a purchase. A review is essentially an overview of one's personal reactions to and rating of a purchased product. According to a 2018 e-commerce report by Bizrate Insights, around 25% of respondents said they always reference reviews before an online purchase, and about 40% said they did so often. It's safe to say that reviews are an important part of the online shopping process, and many consumers value it as a means to learn more about a clothing product's tangible and practical qualities — things that can't be seen through a screen. However, more often than not, I read reviews with little to no useful information about the article of clothing. Take this short story that happened on Black Friday as an example.

My mom and I are on our mobile devices, browsing through hundreds of clothing products on multiple websites at a time. We decide to hop onto the Adidas website, and within minutes, my mom and I both find some pieces that we are interested in. Of course, we take a look at the reviews, searching for a reviewer who shares similar physical qualities as us, such as height, weight, and chest size, and also references to the size of their purchased apparel. Unfortunately, out of a sea of reviews, none are helpful in answering our concerns. Some reviews simply state a generic positive response such as "Very comfortable!" or "This is my go-to piece!" Others would mention their height yet leave out their weight or the size they purchased. We couldn't find a review that was helpful to us.

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So, here is my personal checklist on writing the perfect online clothing review that will be useful to future shoppers!

First, include your personal reaction to the product, whether it be positive or negative.

Clothing reviews from consumers are inherently casual because of their personal nature. Don't be afraid to write about your favorite qualities of the piece, what you wore it for, or anything you would want to share with potential purchasers. There's nothing to lose, and anything negative can be seen as constructive criticism for the designer or manufacturer.

Next, be sure to write about its practical information, outlined as follows:

Its tangible qualities.

This may include the feel of the fabric, whether the fabric is thick or thin, warm and provides insulation or cool and loose, etc.

Its usability.

In other words, whether it serves its purpose. This may include if it is personally comfortable, if it is easily paired with other articles of clothing, etc.

Its fit.

This may include if it is easily torn, if it is tight or loose in any specific areas, etc.

Any unexpected details.

This includes any strange odors or unusual markings/deformities.

Then add in your measurements (they may be approximated).

Height and weight are musts! Leaving these vital pieces of information may render the review useless. Other measurements, such as chest, waist, and hips, are optional, and some sites already include a sizing chart with these measurements for their apparel.

Finally, include the size you purchased.

Without this, a reader that shares the same physical qualities as you will not know which size to buy.

I assure you, from one online shopper to another, that following these guidelines will prove to be beneficial to future shoppers!

Now, I know the issue of not having the "perfect review" for a potential purchase screams "first-world problem," and due to the rise of cheap online shopping companies such as Shein and Romwe, fast fashion has become more and more of a problem for environmental and human rights. Be aware of the websites you choose to purchase from, and, if possible, try shopping at more sustainable online stores that practice fair labor. With that said, go on and write more useful reviews on the internet, especially on ethical fashion sites!

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