Norma Kamali Understands Shopping

norma kamali slip feather circle skirt ginger dress in blck.jpg Fact: More and more people are shopping online.

Fact: Yet, plenty of people don’t shop online, because they really want to try everything on before giving up their Amex.

Solution: Norma Kamali’s site has just introduced perhaps the most brilliant addition to the online shopping experience since Net-a-Porter finally gave a wink and nod to shame shopping - the Try Before You Buy option.

Basically, instead of paying upfront for your online shopping gambles, you click for the Try option, get your clothes at home, then you have 48 hours to decide what you want to keep and what you want to give back. Shipping is taken care of for you (perhaps the biggest perk), and you only pay for what you keep.

Technically, this is better than shopping at an actual store - in addition to trying the clothes on your body, you also get to try it with everything in your wardrobe and in front of a mirror you actually trust, which is probably the best way to decide whether to charge the $4000 gown at left.

Can you tell we’re gushing?

posted by guest

Dec 24, 2008 10:36PM

did you just lift this from susie bubble?

if not, in true fashionista style, you guys are late to the game. norma has been doing this for a while now. at least 2 years ago i noticed it on her website.

posted by nicolemarie4

Dec 24, 2008 11:25PM

i think it's a really cool. i've never heard of it before and i would totally do it

posted by Natalie Hormilla

Dec 25, 2008 9:18AM

hi guest #1, my guess is that other bloggers wrote about this because norma kamali's press people sent out a press release blast about it yesterday morning, as if it was totally new (and my guess is, it's new to a lot of people since most don't shop on the norma kamali site). but thanks for all the support. happy holidays!

Dec 25, 2008 2:37PM

so, are you going to source stylebubble for this?

Dec 25, 2008 4:03PM

if you look at the bio on the norma kamali website it says that the company started direct marketing through the internet in '98. that was also the same year they introduced this service of trying at home for 48 hours.

so it's a 10 year anniversary for them of being one of the pioneers with fashion e-commerce.

i wish you guys would fact check your posts a little more. i love reading your blog for diversion. but your "fashionista" cred is always in question when i notice misinformed posts. so i take your "news" with a grain of salt.

Dec 25, 2008 6:00PM

but doesn't this make it so much easier for people to buy something, not take off the tags, wear it for a day, then return it?

Dec 25, 2008 6:35PM

i agree w/ guest 1, i saw this on stylebubble.

also, i noticed norma doing this, maybe 4 years ago?

this is old news.

Dec 25, 2008 6:37PM

i agree w/ guest 1, i saw this on stylebubble.....

and to post 6, since most of normas stuff is swimwear and the like, they would definitely notice if you send stff back that smells like chlorine.

Dec 25, 2008 10:34PM

guests 4, 5, 7, and 8... I suggest you read what Natalie said in comment number three, and if you don't like the blog, don't read it... no need for hostility and condescension.
Happy Holidays everyone!

posted by Nil Erturk

Dec 26, 2008 5:34AM

I didn't know that and it's brilliant! I think it's better to post these kind of news in several blogs, everybody has different sources. If I miss the info on one blog I'll see on another one

Dec 26, 2008 9:21AM

an interesting observation: on susie bubble, all the comments are like, "lovely! wow!" and on fashionista, they're more like "this shit is old". hm... i think the only thing to take with a grain of salt here is the people that so sadly vent their shit on this site (that, or susie bubble is quite the moderator). and with that, merry christmas!

posted by etoilee8

Dec 26, 2008 1:56PM

Yeah I'm getting tired of people getting annoyed with the fashionista writers for no good reason. I smell jealousy and bitchiness all wrapped up into one neat little package. Can we all just put the nastiness aside for the holiday season?

posted by fashionursta

Dec 26, 2008 3:28PM

She has been doing this for years- she has always called called it "shop like a celebrity". You just have to pay for fedex and keep what you like. They don't charge your card until you tell them what you want or if you don't send the stuff back. If you send the stuff back you just have to pay the fedex charge. I used it once (and I live in Manhattan) because I wanted a sleeping bag coat and I couldn't get over to her store. It's a great idea. And the sales people are very helpful.

Dec 27, 2008 6:24PM

HI. I am a former employee of NK, and she has been using the "Try before you buy" service for about 8 years now. It is truly an innovative way to shop (esp w/ designer labels). We all want to go home happy and satisfied, right? NK hit the nail on the head when it comes to the level of customer satisfaction.