There's An App For That: The 7 Best Shopping Apps
In the past few years, Apple, along with its smartphone competitors like Android, have worked to stock their app stores full of every app imaginable, granting users immediate access to the world with just a swipe or a click.
While some may lament the loss of slow, purposeful living, the tech takeover effectively streamlines our daily lives, making everything a little bit easier.
For shopaholics, this is a godsend (though one-click shopping is, admittedly, dangerous); however, with the plethora of apps out there designed to have us looking our best, choosing which to download can be more than a bit confusing.
So, we did the work for you. We researched and tested some of the most popular shopping apps to narrow down the absolute best.
Now next time you’re due for a closet makeover, ditch the mall and consult your phone instead because these apps make it easier than ever to scoop up your favorite label’s new collection — or that gorgeous jacket you spotted your favorite street blogger wearing.
Spring
[caption id="attachment_863424" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Spring[/caption]
Spring is a favorite of fashion insiders, and for good reason: The app does it all. Shop curated collections created by the industry’s most stylish power players, or keep tabs on your favorite brands to get a first look at new products and collections.
Spring partners with both big-name and indie designers to bring exclusive, one-of-a-kind goods right to your fingertips, and with the app’s secret sample sales, you’ll be able to score steep discounts on unique gear right from your phone.
Everything you see can be purchased right through the app — so exercise self-control, because trust us: You’ll want everything you see.
The Hunt
[caption id="attachment_863435" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The Hunt[/caption]
Next time you’re scrolling through your Instagram feed and happen upon an outfit you love but don’t know where it’s from, consult The Hunt.
Screenshot the photo, upload it to the app’s massive forum and the two million users will scour the Internet to find that product you’re lusting after — or at least, items similar to it — so you can score it for yourself.
This self-described “cure for outfit envy” is the key to curating the closet of your dreams.
Stylight
This recently-launched app combines fashion with social media for an unparalleled shopping experience.
Fashion bloggers and fashionistas upload photos of their #OOTD, and, using the Stylight's massive selection of retail partners (including Asos and Ssense) find similar products so users can recreate the look themselves.
Though anyone can upload their ensembles, the real draw here is the ability to shop outfits worn by top bloggers like Chiara Ferragni (of The Blonde Salad) and Kristina Bazan (of Kayture).
It takes the guesswork out of creating a killer look and offers some seriously stylish outfit inspiration on the daily. Need we say more?
Keep
[caption id="attachment_863454" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Keep[/caption]
We love online shopping (no lines!), but shipping prices are a serious downer, especially when you’re buying goods from a bunch of stores. Even worse: When purchases come from different retailers, everything gets delivered separately. Keep is the solution.
You can add any product from any store into the universal OneCart, so come delivery time, you only have a single package to track — no matter how many things you’ve ordered.
Undoubtedly the most innovative shopping app we’ve ever seen, Keep makes online shopping a breeze (and will be your best friend this holiday season).
Retail Me Not
[caption id="attachment_863459" align="aligncenter" width="600"] RetailMeNot[/caption]
Budget-minded fashionistas will find this popular app particularly handy, which uses both GPS and your personal preferences to find coupons at your favorite shops.
Personalize your Retail Me Not preferences by “liking” stores, and you’ll be notified whenever a new deal is available at your favorite shops, or utilize the location feature to discover discounts at nearby stores.
Coupons can be saved for future use and redeemed directly through the app, and you’ll be notified when deals are about to expire. Search functions allow users to browse deals by category and popularity, and the “Hot Deals” tab reveals the best deals of the day.
You’ll score serious savings — which frees up extra cash for more shopping.
Threadflip
[caption id="attachment_863507" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Threadflip[/caption]
Operating as a hybrid of social media and a resale platform, Threadflip allows users to sell their gently used and unwanted threads via the app’s user-curated marketplace. Upload photos of your unwanted goods, and other users can essentially shop your closet.
Once an item sells, Threadflip will send you the pay-out (minus a 20 percent commission that they keep).
If you’re not good with photos (or don’t know what to sell), splurge on the Full Service option and let the staff do the dirty work for you — in this case, you’ll earn 30 to 80 percent of the item’s final selling price.
Alternatively, you can shop other users' closets to find unique high-end threads and accessories on the cheap. Either way, you’re winning the game.
Cloth
Organize all of your #OOTD photos with Cloth. The app allows you to immediately share your picture across all social platforms with just one click, and you can build a “virtual closet” out of your outfit photos to save for future reference.
Each pic can be organized by category, and the app will remember your favorite looks and recommend outfits based on the day’s weather forecast.
Plus, you can create street style looks to find outfit inspiration that suits your own life.
It’s basically like having your own personal stylist in your pocket — and seriously, who wouldn’t want that?
