As a seasoned shopper, I found it difficult to hop on the online shopping bandwagon. I like to try things on and feel the material before I buy it, and this experience is lost in e-commerce.  In a perfect world, I would be able to go shopping every day. But I do not live in a perfect world, and as soon as you factor in classes, interning and homework, there is hardly any time left to cook a meal, let alone go shopping. Add inches of snow and freezing temperatures into the equation, and my bank account would probably stay untouched from January to March.

Since it was impossible to deny my urge to shop; I overcame my fears of online shopping. Thankfully, there were more than a few great alternatives to choose from.

Shopbop

If you enjoy shopping at higher-end department stores, such as Saks Fifth Avenue or Barney’s, then Shopbop.com is the site for you. Alexander Wang, Balmain, D&G, Derek Lam, Diane von Furstenberg and Thakoon are just a few of the designers that can be found here. Shopbop also offers mid-range lines such as BB Dakota, Dolce Vita and Free People. If you’re searching for that perfect pair of designer jeans, Shopbop is the place to look. They carry everything from 7 for All Mankind to Hudson to J Brand. Another plus: ShopBop offers lookbooks, which  are often times curated by big names in the fashion industry.

Nasty Gal

If you’re a fan of Urban Outfitters, I recommend shopnastygal.com. While the name might lead you to believe that this site would carry, well, nasty things, Nasty Gal actually offers quirky pieces, most of them of the light-colored, flirty, chiffon variety. Prices for most items range from $30 to $70. Nasty Gal also sells unique vintage clothes, as well as shoes, eyewear, accessories and handbags.

ModCloth

If the eclectic offerings of Anthropologie are more your style, modcloth.com is a great option. This site offers everything: clothes, shoes, accessories and apartment ware, all at reasonable prices. ModCloth originally started as vintage-only, which is why its pieces have that unique feel to them. Keeping true to its roots, ModCloth still offers vintage clothing and accessories. The better pieces tend to sell out, so it is a good idea to keep your eye on what you really want, and order it as soon as you can.

Apart Style

Looking for trendy, of-the-moment pieces, à la Forever 21, but of better craftsmanship? Then check out apartstyle.com. Though its prices are slightly steeper, the quality is also better. Apart offers coats, pants, shirts, dresses and accessories for all shapes and of all color palettes. Like Shopbop, Apart features lookbooks, which are a great way to get some style inspiration.

JousJous

If you like distinctively adorable jewelry and accessories that support a good cause, head over to jousjous.com. The jewelry and accessories here are truly one-of-a-kind and are handcrafted by Latin American artisans. JousJous hopes to inspire people to “accessorize your life passionately,” and with their colorful bib necklaces and beaded rings, you shouldn’t have any trouble doing that. All of the items sold on the site conjure visions of vacationing on the beach and dancing all night, and with the cold outside, there is nothing better than that.