We all know about Ebay, Etsy, ASOS and Net-a-Porter. But there are even more ways of spending money online. After a recent slip into shopping-mania-land I've discovered plenty of cool online retailers and am now considering hiding my credit card.
The high street is tiring. You trod up and down, elbowing your way through crowds of sweaty people with more money than you and eventually end up in H&M buying that discounted skirt that will stay in your wardrobe forever. I avoid the high street, but then again I live in London, where the high street is renowned for its awfulness. Even tourists must know this.
I do, however, like shopping and am inclined to window-shop until I find epic bargains and then buy way too much of something I don't really need. The cure for this is shopping online, and it's the only way I can avoid the sweaty crowds and that strange sensation of having to reward myself with stuff just because I've made it out to the high street.
Online there's no pressure, it's possible to browse for as long as you want, it's calm. All this makes me think I'll make more sensible and informed decisions (except for that purple cowgirl dress that will go straight to Oxfam).
There are plenty of shops out there, but some of them are more interesting than others.
Supermarket Sarah is one of them. Owner Sarah set up a shop in her own home in Portobello and has filled it with vintage and indie fashion gems. You can buy from her online, in her home or on Portobello market.
The convenience store is great for the fashion conscious to get their hands on the latest from up-and-coming designers. It might not always be cheap, but the shop does sales and you will end up with something truly unique.
Who wouldn't like a shop with the nameBitching and Junkfood? The site opened in 2009 and already looks good. The girls who run it hand-pick niche fashion and also run two inhouse labels, that make cool stuff like this black coque feather head piece.
Other interesting shops to check out are Modcloth, which specializes in indie design and oki-ni for cool and alternative menswear.
Image features Bitching & Junkfood's Pink Tint Visor Sunglasses