This may seem like a “girly” topic but I think it’s one that’s worth noting so here goes… Online shopping sites (give me chance) have been changing quite rapidly since the phenomenon first started. They are simply not what they used to be. With bigger and better viewing capabilities and quick, memory checkouts, the new way of shopping really coins the ancient phrase, “one will never have to leave his home for anything ever again.”

While Tim Berners-Lee made online shopping possible in 1990 after creating the first Web server and browser, it really only became popular by the mid 90’s when Amazon and Ebay took over. At this time, mail order catalogs were still hogging the main stream shop-from-home scene but after 10 years of marked improvements, people are finally throwing their Pottery Barn junk mail in the bin.

Providing a “secure checkout” became the first and most important issue to tackle for consumers and garb providers alike. Netscape introduced SSL encryption of the data that’s transferred online, which has now become essential for secure online shopping. Then the display of items was worked on. First the consumer only had one or two pics to get a sense of the product, which grew to a few photos from different angles, which grew to roll over zooming, then full 360 degree product viewing.

While most shopping sites like Jcrew and Net-A-Porter are resting here, some of the more innovative fashion stops are adding the option of video viewing on the product detail pages. Shopflick is a video-powered marketplace that offers an online shopping experience where you can actually watch video clips of the products and designer. Another large, British shopping site, ASOS, brilliantly gives you the option to view the item you’re looking at on a swift “catwalk” video. This obvsiously gives you a real opportunity to see how the piece of clothing moves as well as sits on the body (even though the body is that of a 6′ tall, size 2 model).

I’m guessing the other major sites might soon follow suit, as they should. I’m actually a little surprised they haven’t done so already. But whatever technology gives me in order to avoid stinky, overcrowed dressing rooms, shopping malls and parking lots, I will gladly take.