How to choose a colour when shopping online
Short answer: Screens show colours differently. Choose by the name and description rather than the picture alone, and stick to calm colours if you are unsure how the shade looks in reality.
Screens do not show the same colour
Two screens can show the same picture in noticeably different shades, depending on their brightness and colour settings. A phone and a computer can therefore show the same item with a slightly different look, even though the exact same file is being shown on both screens.
The name often says more than the picture
Navy and cobalt blue can be far apart in reality, even when the picture on screen makes them hard to tell apart. See bamboo clothing for women for an example of a range where the colour names are usually described more precisely than the product picture alone can show.
Calm colours are the safest bet
Black, navy and grey look nearly the same on most screens regardless of settings, because they depend less on colour rendering than brighter, more saturated colours do. If you are unsure about a shade, a calm, neutral colour is almost always the safe choice to land on.
Lighting at home matters too
How a colour looks once the item arrives also depends on the light in your home, not just the screen you ordered from. Daylight and artificial light render colours differently, so a shade that looked right on screen can look different once you unpack it in the evening.
The description often holds more detail
Beyond the colour name, many product texts describe the shade more precisely, for example whether it is warm or cool, light or dark. See bamboo t-shirt for women for an example of how such a description usually supplements a picture, giving you two sources to judge from.
Zoom in on the picture before ordering
Most webshops let you zoom into the product picture, which can give a better sense of the fabric's texture and colour depth than a small thumbnail does. Use that option actively, especially when ordering an item where the exact shade matters a lot to how happy you will be with it.
Compare with something you already own
If you have a piece in a similar colour in your wardrobe, it can help to compare it with the product picture on screen. See bamboo underwear for women for an example of how such a comparison can make it easier to picture the item in your hand.
The right to cancel covers colour choice
If the shade does not match once the item arrives, it can be returned within the cancellation period, as long as it is unused and in its original state. See bamboo socks for women for an example of an item where the wrong colour is a completely ordinary and accepted reason to return.
Doubt is a sign to wait
If you are still unsure after reading the name and description and zooming into the picture, that is often a sign to choose a calmer colour instead. That decision is rarely wrong, and it saves you the hassle of a return if the shade did not match after all.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the colour look different in reality?
Because screens render colours differently. The same picture can look noticeably different on two screens, depending on brightness and settings.
How do you choose colour most safely?
Read the colour name and description, and stick to calm colours if the shade matters. Zoom into the picture before ordering if you can.
Can you return an item if the colour is wrong?
Yes, within the cancellation period. The item must be unused and in its original state, and the wrong colour is a completely ordinary reason to return.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
