With the iPhone, shopping for a new wardrobe can be a lot fun. So much so, that you may even find yourself shopping during your morning commute or while waiting in a doctor’s office.
With features like push notifications, retailers want to personalize the shopping experience by sending alerts for items you have expressed an interest or are waiting for the sale price. Of course, when needs to be careful–all this saving can be addictive, and therefore expensive.
Brand name deals
Tommy Hilfiger has only recently jumped on the iPhone bandwagon, but its application has everything you expect. View collections, mark your favorite items and shop the brand from your iPhone. Search for desired items and receive alerts when an item you want becomes available.
Gilt is one of the better services for buying brand-name clothing at a major discount, so its free iPhone application, Gilt on the Go, will help you get your daily fix of scheduled fashion sales. If you cannot get to your computer to buy that Earnest Sewn tunic by noon, just whip out your iPhone before the item sells out.
The Ralph Lauren flagship polo shirts have been revived with an enlarged logo, and the company has a free iPhone app to further push its brand on a new generation. Create and then buy your own shirt with the Rugby Ralph Lauren Make Your Own app, complete with a customized model to sport the tee. Share your creation on Facebook, and rate shirts made by others.
Mobile malls
Brands and shoppers alike know a good sale will bring in the stampede. J.C. Penney Weekly Deals is the mobile version of the retailer’s circular ads but it offers extra perks such as price comparison, search, idea suggestions and store locators. Relatively new, more features are expected for this free and practical app.
Sears couples convenience with mobile marketing with its Sears2Go iPhone app. Search and shop for items and arrange for store pick-up. What is useful about this type of app is that it is moving toward a highly usable mobile point of access to address a shopper’s needs. It might not be high fashion, but it is easy to use.
ShopStyle Mobile is a brand aggregtor, but this free iPhone app provides a search tool for finding the right product. A sale filter makes searching within budget easy. Save your favorites, and purchase directly from the retailer.
Living the lifestyle
Style.com has a free iPhone app that will bring the runway to your iPhone. View fashion shows by designer and for men or women. Receive fashion news by checking the Style feeds and blogs. Stay up to date with the “Look of the Day” section, and chic with the “Ready-to-Wear” section.
The Chanel app brings the latest in its portion of the fashion world with news, photos and video clips. Exclusive content gives you an inside look into the well-known fashion brand. Find nearby stores, complete with maps and directions using the store locator.
The iWound iPhone magazine brings fashion and art inspiration, giving full access to articles and exclusive music and videos. This makes the app worth its $4.99 price tag. Customize your experience with its amazing photography, which features the original works of those featured in the magazine.
