WowStore vs H&M: Shopper's Comparison Checklist

A neutral, practical checklist to help you choose between these two shops for your next purchase.

Start with what you actually need

Before you compare any shops, first write down exactly what you are looking for. Not "new clothes" but "one plain long sleeve shirt I will wear twice a week for work". No shop is right for every purchase. This is the first step almost everyone skips. If you need something for one single occasion, that is a very different choice than something you will reach for 100 times this year. Don't let the shop decide what you need. Decide first, then pick the shop that matches that need. You can browse ranges first if you like, but always come back to your actual requirement before checking out. You can look through Everyday Clothing or Home & Lifestyle to get an idea of what is carried at WowStore.

Check product information on the page

When you look at any item on any online shop, check what detail is given right there on the product page. Don't guess, don't assume. At WowStore, where the maker provides it, the product page shows fabric weight, wash instructions, exact measurements for every size, and fit notes. You will not have to search off the page for this information. Check this for every shop you use. For any item you are considering, open both product pages side by side. Count how many useful facts are listed. Notice if there are general statements, or specific details you can use. If you are unsure about sizing, use our Size calculator before you add anything to your basket.

Try and preview tools

Different shops offer different ways to check how something will work for you before you buy. This is one of the clearest differences between shopping options. At WowStore you can use Magic Mirror · Home to place home items into a photo of your own room. You can build an avatar and try clothing on it via the Magic Mirror tool on product pages. You can also save items you own to the Virtual Closet and test new pieces against outfits you already wear. When comparing, note what tools each shop offers. Note if they work for the type of item you are buying. Note if you have to download extra software to use them. None of these tools are required, but they can help you avoid returns.

Cost per wear, not just sticker price

Always do this simple sum for any item you are considering. Divide the price by the number of times you realistically expect to wear or use it. That is the actual cost each time you use it. For example: a €60 coat worn 60 times costs €1 per wear. Sticker price is only the first number. It tells you almost nothing about value. For items you will use once or twice, a lower sticker price may work out better. For items you will reach for every week, the per-use cost will almost always work out very differently. You can plan out intended wears before you add anything to your basket. This one habit will save you more money than any sale or discount. You can browse Lucy's Picks for pieces selected for repeated wear.

Delivery, returns and support

Every online shop has published policies for delivery and returns. Always read these before you buy. Do not rely on things you read elsewhere. At WowStore you can find the full current policy at Shipping and Returns. When comparing shops, check if there are additional fees. Check if you need to print labels. Check how long you have to send an item back. Check who pays for return postage. These are not small details. They will change the total cost and the experience of shopping. There is no right answer here, only what works for your situation and preferences.

What happens with your purchase

When you buy something, you are not just exchanging money for an item. You are also choosing what the shop does with that money. 5% of each sale goes to a cause you choose. When comparing any shop, look for clear plain statements about this. Avoid vague claims. Check if you get a choice. Check if it is written clearly, not buried at the bottom of the site. Remember this is your money. You get to choose where it goes after you hand it over. This is a well reasonable thing to include when you compare two shops.

Pieces to try in the Dressing Room

Real pieces you can order now. Open one and try it on your avatar in Magic Mirror before you decide; your size and today's price are on the product page.

Floral Lace Trim V-Neck Dress

Women's Mint Green Cotton Gauze Button-Down Blouse Waist Tie

Round Toe Slip-On Loafers - Black with White Topstitching

How giving works when you shop with us

5% of each sale goes to a cause you choose. After your order you pick one of three causes: CARE International, Cool Earth or Project Zero. The donation is paid out through PayPal Giving Fund UK. Those three causes, together with how we run our own store (honest product data, fair prices), are matched to 11 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

That is the heart of the 1% Movement: small choices × millions of us = change. It is a giving promise we can show you, and it is the only promise we make on this page.