For a long time, I was loath to shop the Web.

First, I was a bit paranoid about giving out my credit card info online. I also hate paying shipping, which is why I also hesitate to buy things from catalogs. And then there’s the pesky clothing size thing – I could wear a small at the Gap and then turn around and wear an extra large at Abercrombie & Fitch. It doesn’t make sense.

But two summers ago, I got desperate. I wanted a pair of brick-red chino shorts from Old Navy, but the Portland and Augusta shops were sold out in my size. Reluctantly, I went online. Not only did I find the shorts in the right size, but they were on sale! I bought them. Then I went to Gap.com and bought a blouse. Next I hit Crate&Barrel.com, Potterybarn.com, and LandsEnd.com. I gave a whole new meaning to the term “Web browser.”

Shopping online has three distinct benefits: First, if something you want is sold out at a local shop, you can usually find it online. Second, if you’re buying a gift, you can have it shipped directly to the recipient, which eliminates all kinds of hassle. Third, and perhaps most important, you can shop at the stores you love – and buy brands that are seldom seen north of Boston – without racking up mileage on your car.

Over time, I’ve amassed quite an arsenal of e-commerce sites. I like browsing places like The Limited and Express, but their lack of an online storefront just makes me bitter. And it’s a given that OldNavy.com is a frequent stop and will continue to be until they build in Bangor. Following are some of my favorite, less obvious Web picks – I’d love to hear yours.

. Anthropologie.com: Fabulous, unique clothing made of exotic, exquisite materials, along with urban-bohemian home accents (love the silk quilts and the fauxtique iron plant stand).

. LaRedoute.com: Parisian fashion at cut-rate American prices that leave you asking, “Is that camisole only $15?” I’m not sure it gets much better – or less expensive – than this. Oh wait, it does. LaRedoute also has a gorgeous line of clothing for full-figured women, as well as a lingerie collection.

. Forever21.com: Trendy but sophisticated clothing that evokes the style, but not the price tag, of higher-end brands. Or, as my fashion-forward friend Bridgit says, “This place rocks, and it’s cheap.”

. Sephora.com: All the makeup you wished they sold in Maine, and some stuff you’ve never heard of. This is THE place to shop for such favorites as Stila, Nars, Hard Candy, Chanel, Tarte, and Smashbox. You won’t find bargains here, but nowadays, it costs $10 for mascara at the drugstore, so why not splurge a little?

. DWR.com: the name Design Within Reach says it all. Superchic furniture, rugs and accessories for the home at prices that are lower than you’d expect.

. Westelm.com: High style for the home at low prices. It’s a streamlined collection, offered in a limited number of colors. In other words, if soft plum or muted aqua aren’t your thing, you could be out of luck. For this season, anyway.

. Carushka.com: Quite possibly the most fashionable yoga gear and gymwear I’ve seen. Not that I care how I look while I’m meditating, but if I did, this would be where I’d shop.

. Pearlriver.com: Like shopping in Chinatown, without the ducks in the window. Fabulous, eclectic, and extremely inexpensive, Pearl River Mart is the place to shop for paper lanterns, Japanese tea sets, and quirky kitchen gear. I like the enameled plates and mugs ($1.50-$3.50).

. Fredflare.com: I love these guys. Cute, quirky and occasionally kitschy, the selection at Fred Flare appeals to the kid in all of us. I’m wild about the gardens in a bag ($8) and the great stationery by Jack & Lulu ($10).

. Zappos.com: All shoes, all the time. As if that weren’t exciting enough, most of them are quite affordable, too.

. Luckymag.com: Not an e-commerce site, rather the online home of Lucky, the magazine about shopping. Check often for their “Lucky Breaks,” which are special sales for lucky readers. Lucky also has an inspiring list of e-tailers.

Reader response

There are quite a few readers out there who could give me a run for my money, or lack thereof. The letters keep streaming in about your designer – or catalog – finds on the cheap, and I have to admit, I’m a little jealous. Here are some of the highlights:

A “well-seasoned thrift shopper” named Gayle wrote about the deal she found recently at the Bangor Goodwill, a brand-new L.L. Bean bathing suit for $14.99. She bought three. Then she went home and saw them in the catalog for $85. Good find.

Then there was the woman who shall remain nameless, who has had fabulous luck at the Houlton Marden’s (her recent splurge was a $198 Banana Republic jacket for $19.99). But the best deals, she writes, are on eBay. She only buys new clothing and accessories, and so far, she has bought Tommy Hilfiger dress pants, jeans and shirts, all for under $17; as well as Dooney & Bourke bags for under $15 each. That’s not to mention the Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Manolo Blahniks, Seven for all Mankind, Lucky, Paper Denim and Cloth, and Juicy Couture clothing and name-brand makeup. All new. All cheap. All fabulous.

It seems Marden’s is the bargain-hound’s shop of choice. Andrea Dyer of Presque Isle wrote in about a find last fall, an $85 Pendleton men’s sweater that she bought for $15. Her husband loved it. Then she found him a cashmere sweater at Miller’s in Caribou. Needless to say, Andrea’s husband stayed warm and stylish this winter.

Fellow Presque Isle resident A.R. had a fantastic find at her favorite secondhand shop – a pair of new Ugg boots for $9.99. My hero and fellow Ugg-wearer Jennifer Garner would be proud. And a Cache halter dress for $9.99. Better yet, she had seen the same dress in Boston’s Copley Plaza for more than $100.

The best steal, however, comes from Lynn Vicaire of Mattawamkeag. She admits she is “hopelessly addicted to the Lincoln Marden’s. So addicted that recently [her] husband convened a Marden’s intervention on [her] behalf.” It didn’t work, and it’s a good thing. Last week, a Bob Mackie sheath and dress coat in chocolate brown caught her eye. When she looked at the price tag, she couldn’t believe her eyes: $1.99. She bought it when she saw it at Marden’s. “I understand that Bob Mackie still dresses Cher, so I am in good company in my little find,” she writes. Indeed.

ShopGirl would love to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions by e-mail to: kandresen@bangordailynews.net, by U.S. mail to: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329, or by fax to: 941-9476.