Stylefeeder lets you shop online with your friends (Fashion 2.0)

Fashion 2.0 news: Don't call me a social shopping site, says StyleFeeder. On the company's blog, you can read that the company does enable users to share contents and products thay have found à la De.li.cious (or à la StyleHive, I would add). But StyleFeeder also claims to have an edge with the introduction of its Personal Shopper. It is a tool that you put into your browser and allows you to get instant feedback from friends on what are about to buy. You also get product recommendations, a bit like MyShopPal. The site offers a nice animation on its homepage to let you understand what the tool can do.

I have not yet tested the tool, but I will do so in the upcoming Site Reviews series (a series born from your feedback on the site content). As you will read in the article below, "Our sweet spot in terms of users are young fashion-oriented 15- to 35-year-old women," said Dina Pradel, vice president of marketing for StyleFeeder. This probably also explains why the site features celeb "Stylefeeders" such as 50cent and Ashley Olsen. Another hint to their target, and to their Fashion 2.0-savvyness, is the presence of widgets that users can put on their MySpace page to show others what products they have bookmarked through Stylefeeder.

Sources: SanLuisObispo.com and Fashion Fox review

First paragraphs from the the SanLuisObispo.com article:

Shopping, like most activities, is more fun with friends. But online buying can be a lonely endeavor.

Not anymore.

StyleFeeder wants to make online shopping truly social. It has created a sidebar called "Personal Shopper" that goes on your Web browser and follows you wherever you shop online.

The feature, which can be downloaded, gives users the ability to connect live with friends, fashion experts and other StyleFeeder users who can share advice and help friends make the best decisions on what to buy.

"You can also choose people to watch and see what they're buying or thinking of buying," said Philip Jacobs, president and founder of StyleFeeder. "It's fun to see what people are buying because it's very revealing. You'll know if they bought a new house, had a new baby or are trying to lose weight because of what they're buying."

Web sites such as StyleFeeder are part of a growing trend among online retailers to bring the social aspect of the in-store experience to your computer. American Eagle Outfitters, Sheplers and Kaboodle are a few other companies that allow computer users to pick items from the company catalog and e-mail "wish lists" to family and friends.

For people who aren't so sure about their friends' recommendations, StyleFeeder has lined up a group of celebrities to share what lipstick, sneakers, books and headgear they prefer.

Read the full article at SanLuisObispo.com