Sweat the details, online

Custom fashion once required a meeting in Karl Lagerfeld's atelier. Now all you need is a WiFi connection.

Cyber shops allow shoppers to personalize clothes and accessories from a palette of options. We're not talking about sketched-from-scratch couture. These pre-designed goods only become "custom" when you choose options -- a shoe sole from a lineup or a dress fabric from swatches. Here are six sites that let shoppers personalize handbags, sandals and even a swanky cocktail dress down to the tiniest detail.

Styleshake.com The goods: This London-based site lets you create shirts and dresses, offering stylish options such as a one-shoulder silhouette or a bubble hem, designed by Romina Karamanea, whose work has appeared on the catwalks. After choosing black stretch cotton from a high-quality selection of 16 different cottons and silks, I clicked through six simple steps to choose my neckline, sleeves and hemline. My selections instantly appeared on a virtual mannequin. After adding box pleats and deciding that a frilly collar was too adorable to pass up, I was ready to check out. Measurement-taking was skipped in favor of selecting a standard dress size -- a big plus. When it finally arrived, my black-and-red bubble dress fit well and garnered rave reviews.

The price: Cotton tops start at $117, dresses at $197. Add about $100 for silk fabric.

The waiting game: My dress took more than three weeks.

The fine print: Sales are final. Free alterations.

LandsEnd.com The goods: The classic made-to-measure chinos from catalog merchant Lands' End were enticing. Selecting color (moss green, stone, Atlantic blue and more), fit (relaxed or natural) and waist style (low, high or average) was easy. Pleats or no pleats? Straight legs or tapered? I quickly checked off my choices and detailed photos helped when I couldn't decide. I was eager to check out, but had to create a "fit profile" using my exact measurements before I was home free. Luckily, stats stay in the system for next time.

The waiting game: Three to four weeks.

The fine print: If you're unhappy, return your pants. No questions asked. Lands' End will remake your chinos using new measurements if the fit isn't right.

Freddyandma.com The goods: Shoppers begin designing "it" bags by choosing a shape -- a clutch or tote -- then moving on to hardware finish and trim color. Hundreds of floral, botanical and graphic print choices taxed the mind. Luckily, the search engine let me navigate the extensive fabric library by color, season, popularity and even mood (bold, Gothic, preppy, retro). I'll be happier when the site adds solid leather colors as options.

The price: From $85 for a 5- by 7-inch Metro clutch, to $365 for the Antonia bowling bag.

The waiting game: Four to five weeks.

DressMonkey.com The goods: Imagine 15 styles of men's blazers in linen, wool or tweed that can be totally personalized. Three buttons or two? Notched lapel or Nehru collar? Boxy American cut or tailored European cut? This site doesn't show the design as you go along, and with 14 obligatory personalization options such as "cell phone pocket" and "exterior stitch color," things got confusing. Enter a standard jacket size and close-to-custom measurements are automatically filled in, a perfect feature if you don't mind your jacket being a quarter-inch off.

The price: Simple men's jackets start at $130 for corduroy and $240 for wool. Extras such as leather buttons and silk lining add to the total.

The waiting game: Three to six weeks.

The fine print: Custom-tailored duds are not returnable. But DressMonkey will alter your jacket free or reimburse tailoring charges as much as $25, with receipt.

Morganmillershoes.com The goods: This site offers backless sandals with 16 sole choices. I settled on sensible wood soles and moved on. A single band-like strap across the top of the sandal is the only customized trim, available in more than 100 colors of leather, suede and exotic skins. I would have been happy with beige alligator, but I was forced to add a bit of unwanted bling (a faux Gucci horse bit, a shiny bamboo ring or a crystal jewel) to my sandals.

The waiting game: Orders are shipped within 24 hours.

The fine print: Unworn pairs can be returned for a full refund within 30 days.

Evloveintimates.com The goods: Fans of lingerie stores will be disappointed with the design of this site, but clicking through the swatches of lace, nylon and mesh makes it worth it. I customized a pair of boy shorts, easily choosing peachy pink lace for a base fabric. But when it came time to pick the color of lace around the leg openings, the site froze and I had to start over. It happened several more times before I was able to add trim and pick a satin stretch waistband.

The price: Thongs start at $35, bras at $62. A custom camisole is $67.

The waiting game: Three weeks.