A Practical Guide to Finding Genuine Fashion and Home Deals

Fashion and home products often carry the largest discount labels online: 60%, 70%, even 80% off. Some of these are real end-of-season or clearance offers. Others are calculated from an M.R.P. the product rarely sells at. And with clothes, shoes and home goods, a low price is only worthwhile if the size, quality and material are right.

This guide covers how to judge both the price and the product.

Part 1: Fashion and footwear

Know when fashion discounts are most common

Fashion stores in India commonly run end-of-season sales when collections change, as well as festive and national-holiday sales. Discounts on the latest collection tend to be smaller; larger discounts usually apply to previous seasons’ stock. That is fine for basics and classic styles, which do not go out of date.

Check the material, not just the photo

Product photos are styled to look good. The product description tells you more. Check:

• Fabric composition, such as 100% cotton, a cotton blend or polyester. This affects comfort, breathability and how the garment ages.
• Fabric weight or thickness, where stated, especially for T-shirts and kurtas.
• Care instructions; “dry clean only” adds ongoing cost.
• For footwear: upper material, sole type and whether the product is designed for running, walking or casual wear.

Get the size right

Sizes vary between brands. Before ordering:

1. Open the brand’s size chart for that specific product.
2. Measure a garment you already own that fits well and compare.
3. Read reviews that mention fit — “runs small”, “size up”, and so on.
4. For shoes, measure your foot length in centimetres and compare with the chart.

Getting the size right first time saves the hassle of returns and the risk of missing an exchange window.

Read reviews properly

Look at reviews with photos uploaded by buyers, and read the critical ones as well as the positive ones. Repeated comments about colour difference, stitching, shrinkage or sole wear are more informative than a high average rating.

Part 2: Home and kitchen

Measure before you buy

For furniture, storage, curtains, bedsheets and appliances, measure the space and check the product dimensions — including depth and height. Check whether furniture requires assembly and whether installation is included for appliances.

Check materials and certifications

• Cookware: the base material, coating type, thickness and whether it works on induction.
• Bedsheets and towels: fabric type and, where given, thread count or GSM, while remembering that a higher number is not automatically better.
• Electrical items: wattage, BIS certification where applicable, and warranty terms.
• Storage and containers: whether plastics are food-grade where they will hold food.

Watch out for set sizes and bundles

“Set of 6” can mean six small containers or three containers with their lids. Read exactly what is included and compare the price per useful item, not per set.

Part 3: Checks that apply to both

Compare the usual price

Fashion and home products are where inflated M.R.P.s are most common. Compare the price with similar products and across stores, and check whether the same item has regularly sold at the “discounted” price. Our guide on checking whether a discount is real walks through this.

Look at the seller and brand

On marketplaces, the same-looking product may be sold by many sellers. Check the seller’s rating, whether the brand is genuine, and whether the listing says the product is sold by an authorised seller. Very low prices on premium brands can be a sign of counterfeit goods.

Understand the return policy before ordering

Return and exchange policies for fashion and home products vary a lot. Innerwear, cosmetics, some kitchen items and customised products may be non-returnable. Some items can be exchanged but not refunded. Check the policy on the product page, not just the store’s general policy.

Factor in the full cost

Low-priced items sometimes carry delivery or handling fees that make them less attractive. For bulky home products, check delivery charges and timelines for your pin code. See more in online shopping tips to save money.

A quick pre-order checklist

Conclusion

A genuine fashion or home deal is one where the product fits, lasts and sells for meaningfully less than usual. Check materials and sizes, read honest reviews, choose reliable sellers and know the return policy before you order. Browse our current fashion deals and home and kitchen deals, and use the stores page to see offers from a particular shop.