No time to shop? Go online
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The season has already begun, and if you find yourself with little or no time to go shopping for clothes, then here’s a rundown on three stores that will make the job as easy as click and go. Sri Lanka has a number of online stores that offer great products and delivery plans, and these are just three of them, so don’t forget to check out some others as well.
Avirate
www.aviratefashion.lk
Delivery-3 working days within and outside Colombo
Avirate needs little introduction, having established itself as a high-end fashion retailer some years back. While Avirate products are priced higher than at your average retailer, we also think it’s much easier to find a decent outfit without too much trouble from their online store.
A quick visit to the site revealed that their clothes were organised in such a way to make your shopping experience as easy as possible (if you’re looking for a floor-length gown, go to the ‘cocktail’ section and if it’s for something a little toned down visit the ‘Daytime’ section). You can break down your selection based on size and price. The dresses on the site are priced on average from Rs. 5000-9000.
If you’re the indecisive type, there’s also a super useful compare tool that lets you choose products and then compare them side by side, with colour, size and price specifications. Once you’ve chosen what you want, add it to the shopping cart, specify the size and quantity, and then check it out, and redeem any vouchers from Avirate that you might have. You can purchase from Avirate’s online store without registering as a user, although we recommend you do for a much faster experience.
Hameedia
www.hameedia.com
Delivery: 4 to 5 working days within Colombo and 5-7 working days outside Colombo
We’re not entirely sure how well buying your suits online will work, but Hameedia lets you do so on their no frills, rather utilitarian website. The brand is well known for their sleek cuts and tailored garments so this is probably the best option if you’re looking to buy a suit or dress shirt in a hurry.
Their website isn’t as accessible as Avirate’s but it’s still pretty helpful. Once you’ve chosen your product-anything from a shirt to a suit or cufflink-you can proceed to reorganize it based on size, price or rating, although the latter may not be very transparent as very few products are actually rated. Our problem with the suits is that most were out of stock but the shirts are plenty in supply at all times. The suits start from around Rs. 14,000 (approx.) on the site and formal shirts can start from as little as Rs. 500 (approx.)
Once you’ve chosen your product, specify what you want, add it to your wish list (you can redeem any vouchers you may have) and then you’ll have to register before you do anything else, which can be a little cumbersome if you’re in a rush. You can keep a tab on your order status with your account though.
Peeptoe
www.peeptoe.lk
Delivery: 3 days within and outside Colombo during the Christmas season, applicable only for shoes and handbags
For shoes, handbags and accessories that will carry you through the season, Peeptoe offers a range of options to choose from. The owner reportedly brings these down from Malaysia so you’re likely to find some products here that aren’t being sold in the thousands in Sri Lanka.
If you’re looking for shoes, Peeptoe lets you filter your selection by size, colour and type of heel. If you’re unsure of what shoe size you should be going for, they have a helpful guide on the side to assist you. Handbags can also be filtered by colour. The price range for handbags and shoes is generally in the Rs. 2500-5000 range although you’ll find some items for less.