I do a lot of online shopping. While I love the experience of being in a store and rifling through the racks touching all the pretty things, let’s face it, shopping takes time. And time is a luxury I don’t have so much of these days. So since I can’t go too long without shopping, the web is my savior.

It takes a certain amount of preparation and savvy to become an expert online shopper. But with a little patience, anyone can learn to find some great deals and out-of-the-mainstream brands, as well as to stock up on the old standbys. Here are a few tips for taking full advantage of the world’s largest mall:

1. Stick to what you know: Because I tend to be a creature of habit, I mostly stick to the same regular rotation of retailers for my clothing and shoes, both online and in-person. This takes some of the mystery out of online shopping because I already have a good idea of how certain items will fit me from my usual stores. I also use the web for most of my shoes and accessories purchases, as there is less chance that an item won’t fit the way I expect it to. An important thing to be aware of before using a retailer’s online store is its return policy. I only shop online if I know the store offers free returns or, in some cases, offers a small flat-rate return fee. Large retailers like Nordstrom, Gap and J. Crew all offer free returns and in-store return options. While you do lose out on the initial shipping costs (if you paid shipping in the first place), free returns take much of the risk out of shopping online.

2. But don’t be afraid to try something new: It’s so easy to fall into a fashion rut, but the web can help re-energize your wardrobe. Small online boutiques and independent designer sites abound featuring fun, different items that are often reasonably priced. Sick of buying the same Old Navy sweater as five of your friends? Try out small shops like Spool No. 72 or Australia’s Secret Squirrel (whose line I can’t wait to shop in-person on my upcoming trip to Melbourne and Sydney), accessories sites like Bauble Bar and Lulu Frost (a beautiful site we came across when they started following Style Tutor on Twitter — thanks!) and daily deals site like those from Daily Candy and the celebrity-curated Open Sky. Sure, this is a little riskier — a lot of the smaller shops don’t have the same flexible return policies and sizes can be unpredictable — but the reward is great when you find an out-of-the-ordinary piece you adore. Everyone will want to know where you got it.

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A few months ago my fellow Style Tutor Jennifer turned me on to a new fashion company called Stitch Fix. It’s a simple premise: fill out a detailed style questionnaire about your fashion likes and don’t likes, and Stitch Fix will send you a bundle of five items each month for you to try.

Having grown up in the ’80s and ’90s, my first thought was, “Oh, it’s like a Columbia House for clothes.” And it is, in a way. But unlike Columbia House, which required you to receive a new cassette/CD/VHS/DVD (my relationship with Columbia House goes way back) every month, Stitch Fix allows you to choose when you receive your fix. That’s a nice feature, because I think it would stress me out to have to deal with a package of clothes every month … all that shipping could get a little time consuming.

I was intrigued by the premise, so I decided to check it out. Stitch Fix is still in beta, but I have been impressed with how organized they are, considering how new the business is. They have a pretty straight-forward website to get you started and where you schedule orders. To order your fix, you must put up a $20 deposit (they call it a styling fee). If you decide to keep any of your items, the $20 will go toward the cost of those items. If you decide to keep all your items, you’ll get a discount off your total.

I’ve received two fixes so far, and both times I’ve kept one item. Incidentally, both times its been a navy print dress. I’ve found my choices to be pretty spot on … a couple have been a bit out there, but once I tried them on I liked them better than I thought I would (although still not enough to keep them, but I’m warming up to the idea). And each item is pretty reasonably priced, as in between $50-$150.  The packaging details are a little extra bonus — in my last fix I received a cute little book of post-its (to use when I mark the items I love in Vogue) — and each item comes with a custom tag that includes styling suggestions and information about the designer, if they are not well known. It’s personal touches like these that make me want to get another fix.

Scheduling a fix every month is pretty impractical for me. For one, I do like to shop. I don’t need a mail-order service to replace the act of going to my favorite stores. And it can be pretty costly, if I’m adding my fixes on top of my typical local shopping. But every few months or so I think it’s great way to supplement my wardrobe with items I’m probably not going to find at the closest mall. I like the idea of being forced out of my box a little by the Stitch Fix team of style genies. We’ve never met, but I feel like they know me pretty well, and I know they have my fashion interests at heart.

I’m a fan of Stitch Fix, and if you’re looking to add to your wardrobe but don’t have the time or desire to head to the mall or waste hours online shopping, I recommend you give it a try. I think you’ll like it.