Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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I Finding that special gift on the World Wide Web BY MEG MOORE THE GAMECOCK Pull up a chair, pull out your credit card and prepare to power-shop. With its ever increasing online presence, the retail world is ready to cater to your every purchasing whim—virtually. From die-hard, full-time shoppers to those with a fear of mall crowds, seemingly everyone has logged on and loaded up his or her online cart at some point. Retailers as diverse as The Gap, Gucci, Target and Tiffany’s have estab lished Internet versions of their “brick-and mortar” stores with the hopes of enticing web-sawy consumers. While the accessibility of popular stores allows customers to fulfill friends’ and rel atives’ mass-retail wishes, a variety of unique e-shops — and chain stores unheard of in S.C. — offer gift-givers the chance to shop beyond the typical mall selection. Housewares ♦ WWW.UNCOMMONGOODS.COM: From chalkboard placemats to baseball-stadium replicas, this home and personal-acces sories store carries an assortment of fun finds at various prices. WWW.WISHINGFISH.COM: Indulge and order some gourmet hot cocoa from this site or pick up a Buddha bank for your loose change. This site offers candles, “Ugly Dolls” and everything in between. www.momastore.org: Check out this on line outpost of the Museum of Modem Art in New York City for art-inspired gifts. Clothing and Accessories WWW.GIRLSHOP.COM/WWW.GUYSHOP. COM: Shop the indie-designed apparel at these related sites and be the hippest kid on the block — or at least dress like you are. WWW.FCUK.COM: The site’s acronym makes you do a double take. At French Connection UK’s e-shop, you can load up on city-chic clothing and cheeky FCUK tees. WWW.GOCLOTHING.COM: Fill your cart with clothes from hip, harder-to-find brands such as Habitual, James Perse and Mon Petit Oiseau. Luxury goods WWW.ELUXURY.COM: Find the best names in high-end fashion from Louis Vuitton to Marc Jacobs at this online bou tique. WWW.VIVRE.COM: Everything you need to live the good life is available at Vivre, a store that specializes in all things luxuri ous. WWW.NEIMANMARCUS.COM: South Carolina still lacks a Neimans, but shop pers everywhere can select from the up scale department store’s vast inventory on the Web. And if you ever make it to a real store, the spacious, multi-mirror dressing rooms are worth the trip. One-Stop shops WWW.URBN.COM: If you are not an Urban Outfitters devotee, you should be. The closest store is in Atlanta, but the on line branch offers a diverse assortment of goods for 20-somethings and their homes. WWW.ANTHROPOLOGIE.COM: Capturing the essence of shabby chic, Anthropologie, which also operates “brick-and-mortar” stores, features a selection of home fur nishings, accessories and apparel. WWW.CUTXPASTE.COM: This compara tively small online store offers fun, some what punky clothing, accessories and gifts from a wide variety of start-up “partners in craft.” Discount stores WWW.BLUEFLY.COM: Bluefly features a huge collection of discounted designer goods for her, him and the home. WWW.YOOX.COM: Another comprehen sive, off-price site, Yoox carries countless higher-end labels for both men and women. WWW.OVERSTOCK.COM: Selling over stock items at a fraction of their original prices, the newly redesigned site has every thing from clothing and sporting goods to books and movies. Unique T-shirts WWW.TEES.COM: Design your own T shirt or choose from a variety of pop-cul ture-influenced designs. Blank shirts are also available from sweatshop-free manu facturer American Apparel. WWW.80STEES.COM: Stock up on shirts reminiscent of all things ‘80s from TV shows to top bands. WWW.SIMPLYVINTAGE.COM: Find that perfect retro-inspired tee without the hassle of perusing thrift-store racks at this vin tage-tinged T-shirt shop. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockmixeditor@hotmail.com E-shopping tips to consider ♦ Online shopping requires planning ahead. Make sure to place your orders in time for holiday delivery. Most sites will post their Christmas ordering deadlines on their home pages, but don't assume that what one retailer sets as its last day for Christmas Eve delivery goes for others. ♦ L,necK me sizing cnarcs wnen oraenng cioming. t-reianers may cany an assoiunem ui brands under one “roof,” and, like mall stores, shops differ in their listed measurements for each size. Some stores also support My Virtual Model technology. ♦ Consider what taxes will be applicable to your order. If a store has “brick-and-mortar” stores in the state that you are shipping to, you will be charged sales tax. ♦ Many stores accept discount codes. Surf online coupon sites - an assortment of them will turn up if you Google coupon codes - and be aware of any special deals or sales that shops will be having as the holidays near. There are plenty of good deals to be had in the world of e-retailing. COMPILED BY MEG MOORE f ' 1 «WhdaK . 1 i v IA a f? 6 () M The Students of Baptist Collegiate Ministry wish you a Merry Christmas and a safe holiday break. | Contact us: www.gamecock. bcm. org bcmusc@bellsouth. net (803) 799-3854