Do you remember the days where shopping was no big deal? The days where you'd wander in and out of local boutiques on a weekend, maybe pop over to the mall after work one night? Sound familiar? Obviously, these were the days before running toddlers, whining preschoolers, and crazy-hungry, MILK NOW, MUM babies.
As you can imagine, I do a lot of online shopping these days.
But the downside to online shopping is, invariably, the surprises. Fabric that's too sheer, a fit that's just weird, or - even worse - a shoe that's uncomfortable. Online shoe shopping is the worst. I can look at reviews all night long, but there's really no substitute for trying something on. (Which is why my Zappos orders tend to be $2000 worth of merchandise, even for a $100 pair of shoes. Everything else gets sent back.)
So I was intrigued when Swirl asked us to do a review of their iPhone shopping app. This app blends the art of online shopping with the in-store try-before-you-buy experience.
Here's an example:
Based on extensive internet research (and some store visits several months back), I know that Abercrombie & Fitch has the best destroyed skinny jeans on the market. (I stand by this Mamas - I challenge you to find a better pair! These are the perfect old-denim blue, not too destroyed, have a good bum, and come in a higher rise. LOVE.)
Ok. So I know I love these jeans, and want to add them to my Fall shopping list. I could Pin them (that's what I usually do)...but instead I tried Swirl's app.
First I "clipped" them from my computer using Swirl's Clip To Swirl bookmark button (find it here):
From there, I was able to specify which "collection" I'd like to add the jeans to. I added them to my "Weekend Style" collection. Here's how it looks in my iPhone....
...and here's my Weekend Style Collection:
But here's the thing! Swirl actually tracks offers, coupons and deals for the stores that you are interested in. And guess what?
Oh, baby. Since Swirl notifies you when your clipped items drop in price...I found that these jeans are actually half off.
Nice, right? But click on the little Info icon (the i), and you get this information:
And since I'm not driving out to King of Prussia with two kids just to see if they have my size in stock...you can simply call the store to verify.
Or at this point, since I've already tried them on, I could just order online. But seriously! Half off! Score.
I'm also loving their Browse Popular Clips feature. It's dangerous, though. Did you notice that one of my collections is named, "Want But Can't Have"?
Yeah. Everything on there starts at like $600. I created it in the (vain) hope that they might go on sale for 95% off. You know. Just in case. Cause if it happens, Swirl will tell me.
Obviously, I'm loving the wedge sneaker. Don't judge. I so love those stupid shoes.
In any case, using their Browse Popular Clips page, I happened upon a pair of affordable wedge sneakers. And yay! Swirl found me the store. (You can see the sneaks right below the words "My Clips").
I've also been using my Swirl app as a way to manage horrific in-store shopping experiences. (Forever 21, I'm talkin' bout you!) There's nothing worse than digging through racks at Forever 21. And while I don't think the 13 year olds who work there will willing look up anything for me via a phone call, at least I can go into the store armed with a list.
Specifically, this list:
Lastly, see that Offers page? When you click it, you get a whole list of store offers:
Just in time for Fall shopping.
You can download your Swirl app in the iPhone store.
Speaking of which...want a $50 gift card to J.Crew? Leave us a comment telling us how you'd spend your J.Crew gift cert (hmmm...and I might clip your finds to my Swirl). The winner will be chosen at random. The giveaway will close on Tuesday, September 4th at 10PM EST.
Gang, this was a sponsored post, meaning we were paid to write it, but all thoughts and opinions are our own. Always. And we'd never write about something we didn't LOVE.
xo,
S
*****The Giveaway is now closed********
Congrats to Tamara of GlowingColor, the winner of the $50 J.Crew giftcard!
