Hey there fashion lover, have you heard of Trouva? If not, allow me to introduce you to your new favorite online shopping destination. Trouva is a total game-changer when it comes to scoring unique fashion, lifestyle and gift items from the coolest independent boutiques around the globe – all from the comfort of your couch.
As a certified fashionista and Trouva superfan, I‘ve spent countless hours scouring every corner of their website (for research purposes, of course) and am here to dish on why it‘s a must-shop for anyone who loves to discover under-the-radar brands and one-of-a-kind finds. Goodbye boring mass retailers, hello beautiful curation!
What is Trouva and How Does it Work?
Before we dive into all the juicy details, let‘s cover the basics. Trouva is an online marketplace that brings together products from over 800 independent brick-and-mortar boutiques from the UK and across Europe. Rather than the typical ecommerce setup where anyone can list items for sale, Trouva hand-selects each retail partner for their unique style and product edit.
The result is an extremely cool and considered mix of fashion, home decor, and lifestyle goods – most of which you genuinely won‘t find anywhere else online. Seriously, a scroll through Trouva is like taking a dreamy virtual tour through all the chic neighborhood concept stores in Paris, Lisbon and Berlin.
The other magic of Trouva is how it takes the guesswork out of global shopping and supports small businesses at the same time. As much as I‘d love to jet set and boutique hop my way across the continent, it‘s just not always doable. Trouva gives you a direct line to shop all these amazing stores in one place, with seamless shipping and returns to boot.
So how exactly does it work? Trouva handles all the tech, payment processing, and logistics on the backend so that boutiques can easily upload and sell their products to a worldwide audience. Many of Trouva‘s partners are small shops who otherwise wouldn‘t have the resources to set up an online store, so it‘s a win-win. Plus, each boutique gets to maintain their own identity and voice on the platform, so it really does feel like you‘re shopping their individual collections.
For customers, the Trouva site couldn‘t be easier to navigate. You can shop via the straightforward category dropdowns, use the detailed filters to narrow by size, color, material, price point and more, or even shop by destination if you‘re in the mood for French girl style or Scandinavian vibes. I especially appreciate the robust search function and ability to save your favorites or create wishlists.
Trouva by the Numbers
Now that you‘ve got the high-level overview, let‘s talk stats. Since launching in 2015, Trouva has seen massive growth and become a major player in the world of curated online shopping. A few key numbers to note:
- Trouva features over 200,000 products from 800+ independent boutiques
- Those boutiques span 13 different countries, primarily in Europe
- 50%+ of Trouva‘s retail partners don‘t sell through any other online channels, making their merch extra exclusive
- 40% of Trouva shoppers who have made more than one purchase have bought from 3+ different countries, showing the appeal of their global curation
- The Trouva app has been downloaded over 500,000 times and accounts for 20% of their total sales
- Trouva has raised over $35 million in venture capital funding since launch, including a $10 million series A in 2018
(Sources: Trouva, TechCrunch)
While private companies like Trouva don‘t disclose full financials, it‘s clear there‘s major demand for their unique take on online fashion and lifestyle retail. Industry reports estimate a $300 billion+ global market for fashion ecommerce, and Trouva has smartly positioned itself as the go-to destination for consumers seeking a more curated, boutique-style experience than mass market players can offer. (Source: Statista)
Trouva‘s Bestsellers and Brand Spotlights
Ok, now for the really fun part – the STUFF. If you‘ve never experienced the joy that is a Trouva browse sesh, let me give you a little sampling of what you can find. The site truly has every category covered, but some of my forever faves are:
Anissa Kermiche jewelry: Coolest, sculptural gold and silver pieces handmade in Paris. I‘m obsessed with my Paniers Dores statement earrings.
Diega dresses: Flirty and feminine styles in the prettiest prints, all made in Spain. The Veronica midi dress is a total stunner.
Earl of East soy wax candles: These hand-poured numbers look as good as they smell. Onsen is like a spa day in a jar.
Minimum knits: Scandi sweater perfection with the coziest oversized fits. Treat yourself to a Mikala cardi immediately.
HKliving ceramics: I can‘t get enough of this Dutch brand‘s sleek vases and planters. The large speckled earth vase is a work of art.
Honestly this is just scraping the surface of Trouva‘s greatest hits. At any given time, you‘ll find thousands of amazing items from both established and emerging designers. Half of Trouva‘s partner boutiques don‘t even sell online outside of the platform, so you‘re truly getting access to exclusive inventory.
Another thing I love about Trouva is getting to know the stories behind the brands and boutique owners they feature. The site does an incredible job showcasing their partner shops and telling the stories of how they got started or what inspires them. It adds so much context to what you‘re buying and makes a purchase feel that much more meaningful.
Is Trouva Worth the Hype?
At this point I‘m sure you can guess my take, but let me spell it out – I‘m a hardcore Trouva fan through and through. No other shopping site consistently brings me as much joy or feels as personal and purposeful. Every purchase makes me feel like I‘m getting something truly special while also supporting small businesses I believe in.
Sure, you might pay a bit more on Trouva than you would at a fast fashion spot, but that‘s the whole point. These are beautifully-crafted pieces designed to stand the test of time, not end up in a donation pile after a few wears. I see my Trouva finds as investments in building a forever wardrobe and home.
I also can‘t overstate the convenience factor of having a one-stop destination for the best independent boutiques at my fingertips. No more worrying about customs forms, international payment snafus, or shoddy Google translated return policies. Trouva streamlines all of that so you can shop global brands with total peace of mind.
And don‘t just take my word for it. A quick glance at the 25,000+ five star reviews on Trouva‘s Trustpilot page confirms I‘m far from alone in my evangelism. Customers rave about everything from the unique product selection to the top-notch customer service and beautiful packaging. With an average rating of 4.5/5 stars, it‘s clear Trouva is delivering on their promise of a standout shopping experience.
Influencers have also taken notice of Trouva in a big way. The brand has built out a robust Creator Program where tastemakers can apply to become affiliates and collaborate with Trouva on sponsored content across their platforms. A quick #Trouva search on Instagram surfaces endless styling inspo from bloggers and fashion editors singing Trouva‘s praises. We‘re talking major names like Erica Davies, Katherine Ormerod, and Monikh Dale – so you know it‘s legit.
How to Get the Most Out of Trouva
Sold on giving Trouva a go? Here are a few pro tips to make sure you have the best possible experience:
Create an account: Being logged in saves you major time when it comes to checking out. You can also build wishlists and registries or get tailored product recs.
Download the app: Trouva has an excellent app that notifies you about new arrivals from your fave boutiques and lets you save inspo on the go. Plus you get a one-time 10% discount for downloading.
Follow on social: Trouva‘s Instagram (@trouva) is a goldmine for styling ideas, sneak peeks, and designer Q&As. Following their stories and posts is an easy way to stay in the know.
Read the reviews: Fellow Trouva shoppers are a super active and helpful bunch. Always check an item‘s reviews for intel on materials, fit, or other helpful context before adding to cart.
Don‘t sleep on the blog: The Trouva blog and Boutique Stories series have some of the best interviews, travel guides, and behind-the-scenes content around. Come for the recs, stay for the eye candy.
Get on the email list: I know everyone‘s inbox is stuffed, but Trouva‘s newsletters are genuinely a delight and will keep you looped on the latest launches and promotions. Plus you get 10% off your first purchase for signing up.
Shipping, Returns, and The Trouva Guarantee
Last but not least, let‘s talk logistics. Trouva offers free standard shipping within the UK on orders over £75, with a flat £3.95 rate for anything under. For international customers like moi, shipping costs vary based on location but are very clearly outlined at checkout. I‘ve never experienced any customs snags or unexpected fees.
Processing and delivery times vary since items are shipping direct from boutiques, but in my experience are surprisingly speedy considering the distances involved. Trouva has a big focus on sustainability and offsets all carbon emissions from shipping and returns, so you can feel good about your purchase.
On that note, you have 14 days to initiate a return on Trouva for any reason and another 14 days to ship it back. As long as your item is in its original condition, you‘ll get a full refund to your original payment method. Some categories like swimwear, beauty, and vintage are final sale, but that‘s pretty standard practice.
One of my absolute favorite things about shopping Trouva is their amazing Boutique Promise. Essentially it‘s a pledge that Trouva will step in to make things right if your order is anything less than perfect. So say an item arrives damaged or not as described – Trouva‘s literally got you covered and will resolve without you having to jump through any hoops.
Their customer service is also fab and super responsive. You can reach them via live chat, email, or an old school phone call if that‘s more your speed. They even have a nifty Fit Finder tool to help take the guesswork out of sizing.
The Final Verdict
Phew, you still with me? I could honestly wax poetic about Trouva all day, but I think you get the gist. From the unparalleled product selection to the warm and fuzzies of supporting small shops, Trouva has totally transformed the way I shop for fashion and home. It‘s a treasure trove (pun very much intended) of special, singular pieces you won‘t find anywhere else.
I love knowing that every Trouva purchase is telling a story and supporting a real person‘s vision and small business. And don‘t even get me started on the thrill of snagging a amazing global find without leaving home. It‘s the easiest way to feel like the coolest, most well-traveled version of yourself.
Buying from Trouva truly feels like giving a present to yourself and a whole community of independent makers and shopkeepers at once. What‘s not to love about that? So go ahead and treat yourself to a little Trouva browse sesh. I‘ve got a feeling plenty of wishlisting will be happening shortly.
Don‘t say I didn‘t warn you when the compliments start rolling in and you can‘t stop evangelizing about your new favorite site. You can thank me later. Happy Trouva-ing!
