Top 10 Best Stores for Fashion on a Budget, Part Two
Ten more amazing places to shop for high-end looks at low-end prices.
A little while ago, I gave you an update on the 10 best stores for fashionable college girls on a budget.
However, because there are so many great options out there for wallet-friendly fashion, I knew that I couldn’t stop at 10! After all, a girl needs variety, particularly when she’s shopping for clothes that will hopefully last her college career (and beyond!).
So, without further ado, here are 10 more of my favorite affordable clothing stores:
10. Joe Fresh
Believe it or not, Canadian-owned Joe Fresh was actually created for Loblaw Companies Limited, a Canadian food distributor!
Known for their affordable clothing, Joe Fresh is a great place to shop if you are looking to add trendy yet relaxed pieces to your wardrobe without breaking the bank.
Unfortunately, their merchandise is no longer sold in stores in the US; however, it can still be ordered online through their American website.
In addition to their collection of everyday clothes — which encompasses everything from basic t-shirts to swimwear — the brand also has an activewear line. As well, they sell jewelry, bags, shoes, and bath and beauty products.
9. J.Crew Factory
If you long for the fun, preppy-with-a-twist look of J.Crew, but can’t justify paying their prices, head over to J.Crew Factory, J.Crew’s equally-chic, yet more affordable, line.
While J.Crew Factory’s prices don’t always fall under the category of cheap, per se, they are definitely amazing for what you’re getting, especially when it comes to workwear staples like blazers and trousers.
The best part of J.Crew Factory is that they sometimes release items that look identical to the ones sold at J.Crew, only at a much lower price! They tend to wait until a later season to do so, and only do this with certain pieces, so you’ll have to be patient.
Like J.Crew, J.Crew Factory sells shoes, bags, accessories, pajamas, and jewelry in addition to clothing. They sell swimsuits as well, although their selection is much smaller than J.Crew’s.
Finally, the brand offers “special sizes,” which encompass petite, tall, sizes 18-20 clothing, and sizes 5 and 11 shoes. However, these collections are different and/or much smaller than their “mainstream” collection, so if you fall into any of those categories, it’s probably a good idea to look elsewhere.
8. Kohl’s
As a Canadian, I have never set foot in a Kohl’s store before. (Cue gasps!) However, I have browsed their extensive website enough to know that they offer tons of budget-friendly options by way of clothes, shoes, bags, accessories, swimwear, and beauty products.
While some of their things are aimed at an older audience, there are still plenty of trendy, youthful options to choose from.
The best part about Kohl’s is that they offer a wide range of sizes, from plus-sized to petite to juniors, so you’re bound to find something regardless of what size you are!
Their beauty section is also quite impressive, so I’d recommend checking it out if you’re looking to update your look without dropping too much cash.
7. eBay and Etsy
I chose to group eBay and Etsy together because they are similar in that both are places where individuals, rather than brands, sell items directly to the consumer.
The main difference between the two is that Etsy tends to focus more on selling unique handmade or vintage items, whereas Ebay’s focus is geared more towards the re-selling of used (or new) items.
One very important thing to keep in mind–especially when it comes to Ebay — is that you need to make sure that the seller from whom you are ordering is reliable and safe.
I’m not going to lie, I did have a negative experience recently in which I thought I was ordering a bracelet from a certain brand, but was sent a knock-off instead. I was definitely surprised, as the seller seemed to have very positive reviews. Thankfully, it was a relatively inexpensive purchase, but still–be extremely careful!
As far as Etsy goes, I have only had positive experiences so far. Nonetheless, I recommend being as cautious as possible, particularly when buying vintage items. This is because there’s more room for exaggeration and/or lying than with handmade items.
Lastly, don’t be shy to message sellers with your questions. Based on my own experience, they are always happy to offer help!
6. Francesca’s
Francesca’s sells cute and pretty boutique-style clothing, jewelry, and accessories at cheap prices. In addition, they have a lovely selection of home and beauty products.
With its relaxed and feminine aesthetic, Francesca’s almost reminds me of a less-expensive Anthropologie.
One of my favorite things about Francesca’s is their way of interpreting trends in a way that is more subtle and wearable than some other wallet-friendly retailers.
Furthermore, the quality of the merchandise appears to be pretty good for the price.
Therefore, if you are looking for fashion-forward and girly pieces, you should most definitely check it out!
5. ModCloth
ModCloth is known for their adorable and quirky indie and retro-inspired pieces, so if you’re in the market for a dress with a fun print or a pin-up-style swimsuit, this is the place for you!
In addition to clothing and accessories, ModCloth sells unique shoes, accessories, and gifts (which mostly fall under the home decor category).
Though most of the items sold on ModCloth are affordable, they do offer some more expensive pieces as well. Even so, their prices are cheaper than what you might pay for a similar item at a department store.
One of the best things about ModCloth is that they have an extensive selection of plus-sized clothing! Furthermore, like many of the other retailers mentioned in this article, they also offer petite and tall sizes.
Though most of the items that I have seen from ModCloth appear to be good quality, there are some discrepancies, so be careful, and always read reviews and look at customer photos before buying.
4. Express
Express is known for their stylish pieces and workwear staples–particularly its famous Editor Pant, which comes in different cuts and colors.
Just about everything is under $100, with most items in the $40-$80 range. So, their items might cost you a bit more than your typical Forever 21 or H&M finds, but the difference in quality is there.
Also, they are known for offering up to 50% off quite often — always wait for the sales with Express!
In addition to clothing, Express sells shoes, accessories, jewelry, swimwear, and activewear; they also have an athleisure line called One Eleven.
Finally, Express carries petite sizes, which, according to the retailer, are meant for women 5’4″ and under.
3. Nordstrom Rack
If you’re looking for a wide selection of fashion-forward and more sophisticated pieces, then Nordstrom Rack is the place for you! The majority of their clothing rings in at $50 or less, and most of their items are well made.
Nordstrom Rack carries plus-size and petite clothing, as well as shoes, bags, jewelry, accessories, intimates, swimwear, items for the home, and gifts.
They also carry some items by department store designers at lower prices; however, it is worth noting that some brands produce items specifically for outlet stores that were never sold in full-price department stores at all. This isn’t necessarily the case at Nordstrom Rack, but it’s worth remembering when shopping at any outlet.
So, if you’re looking for bargains on department store items, it’s a good idea to do your research first to make sure you’re actually getting what you’re looking for.
2. Topshop
Topshop is the ultimate destination for It Girls on a budget, and caters to a variety of aesthetics, from feminine to sporty to boho–and beyond.
In addition to clothing, Topshop stocks shoes, bags, accessories, and a fun selection of beauty products, all of which fit in with their cool, model-off-duty vibe. They also offer tall and petite sizes.
In terms of quality, Topshop can be a bit inconsistent. While not necessarily the cheapest retailer on this list, Topshop’s prices correspond well with what you get — fashion-forward, designer-looking pieces for less.
Furthermore, their products seem to sell out rather quickly, so if there’s something that you’ve been eyeing, it’s probably a good idea to snap it up sooner rather than later.
1. Online and In-Person Thrift/Second-Hand Stores
If you’re a seasoned bargained hunter, you’ve probably hit up brick-and-mortar thrift/second-hand stores such as Goodwill or Buffalo Exchange at some point in your life. Thrifting is awesome and we love it here at CF!
However, due to the increasing popularity of online shopping, online retailers including Poshmark, Swap.com, and ThredUp have have brought the thrifting experience to the digital world.
For the most part, these online thrift/second-hand shops make it easier to find what you’re looking for, as they allow you to avoid the trademark thrift store clutter. But if you’re someone who lives for “the hunt,” I’d recommend visiting a local thrift shop in person.
What do you think?
Now it’s your turn: Tell me more about your favorite places to find fashion steals! Which stores are the best for finding chic, budget-friendly pieces? Have you found any unexpected gems in thrift/second-hand stores or outlets? What’s the best deal that you’ve ever gotten on something fashion-related?
Let me know in the comments!
Source: #Fashionblogger #fashiontrends