Pants are something difficult for many people to purchase online. You don’t know if the will make your hips look fat, or if they will feel tight when you crouch down. Buying them online means that you are trusting that you will like them when they come. If you don’t, many retailers offer free return shipping. However, is it worth the hassle when you could just as easily pick up casual pants at the mall?
Mens pants are measured by waist size and inseam. If a man knows his waist size and inseam, he can buy pants from anywhere without trying them on. My husband has never tried on a pair of pants at a store (much to my chagrin), yet always comes home with pants that fit. For men looking for mens white pants online, not trying them on is not a problem at all.
For women, it is a different story entirely. Women are not all built the same. Although it would simplify things to have our pants be measured by inseam and waist size, it just would not work. We all have different sized butts and thighs, so two women with the same inseam and waist size would wear radically different pants. Women need to try pants on to know if they will work. Of course, they can buy pants online, but it will be a guessing game, and women should expect that they will have to return pants on occasion.
There is a strategy that has been promoted to help women purchase pants online. If a woman likes a particular brand of pants, she can try on a few pairs at a brick and mortar store, then see if she can get a better deal online on those pants. This is a good strategy in general, but it has some holes. Namely, women’s pants styles and cuts change from year to year. Also, a woman’s weight fluctuates over times. Some people find that when they put on weight, it goes right to their hips; for others it goes to their thighs or hips. This will change what pants look good on you. Thus, you would have to go try on pants at least every year to know your current pants size. It is up to you to decide if the savings from buying your pants online are worth it.