A lot of people ask me where I get the clothes I'm wearing and they're always surprised when I say where I got them and how much the item cost. Typical reactions include disbelief and jealousy, especially when I've spent less than $20 on a pair of shoes identical to an $80 pair someone else owns.
when I say where I got them and how much the item cost. Typical reactions include disbelief and jealousy, especially when I've spent less than $20 on a pair of shoes identical to an $80 pair someone else owns.
How do you find your own sweet deals and which online shopping destinations will give you the most bang for your buck?
Here are a few of my favorite sites:
Forever 21 has incredible selection and style and the prices are outrageous, especially if you do a bit of digging. I've unearthed fabulous dresses for less than $20 and great costume jewelry pieces for around $5. The shipping from the site is painless and quick and they have easy return policies should something not fit.
Here are my tips for shopping online at Forever 21:
Visit the store before you shop the website so you know what fits you and what you're looking for. Often, the actual clothing looks different in person than it does on their website, especially in the dress length area. Some "dresses" Forever 21 sells are more tunic-lengthed, meaning you'd have to wear them as shirts or with leggings in order to make them street-appropriate.
Don't expect pristine quality. Forever 21 keeps their prices low by mass-producing huge quantities of clothing that aren't meticulously made. Don't expect your clothing to hold up for years-or sometimes weeks-on end.
Beware of dresses or shirts you need to zip. Forever 21 has fairly cheap zippers that often break.
If in doubt, go up a size. Their clothing runs tiny-truly tiny. If you have a wide rib-cage, like I do, you may need to go up two sizes if something is really fitted around that area.
Urban Outfitters is a true fashionista's paradise. Chock full of interesting bohemian pieces, you can find some great clothing for less than $50. Often Urban also carries more expensive lines (upwards of $200), so make sure you don't fall in love with something before checking the price.
Some things to buy from Urban:
Accessories are always a great bet. They have tons of belts, handbags, scarves, etc. Their shoe selection is also enviable. Check out their flats and sandals, especially now. They have lots of cute new things.
When cold weather is once again upon us, Urban carries a wide-range of outerwear which is all pretty affordable and cute, without being cutesy.
Urban always carries Converse All-Star sneakers in hard-to-find colors and patterns. Check the men's shoe section for more.
Cutesygirl.com has shoes for unbelievable prices. Truly unbelievable. I tell people I got boots or heels for $12 and they don't believe me until I show them the webpage.
The thing about Cutesygirl.com is that they mix some really awful, ugly shoes in with adorable and stylish ones. You're going to have to be willing to put in some search time.
The quality is fairly good, about what you'd expect from Target or Payless shoes. Not great, but they'll do. Some of the brands (like Steve Madden) that Cutesygirl.com has are obviously better quality than others. Just be choosy and you'll be okay.
Watch for these styles from Cutesygirl.com:
Flats or pumps are always a good pick. Search by "Price- Low to High" to find the best deals. If you see something you like and they have your size, snatch it up quick. The cheaper shoes go fast, and they often run out of the most popular sizes quickly, leaving only 6's to be had.
There are some great boot offerings from Cutesygirl.com, but once again, search carefully. Avoid stiletto, pointy-toed boots at all cost. You can get those almost anywhere now, but they really aren't tremendously popular anyway. Don't fall into the trap of buying something just because it's cheap: there are lots of inexpensive shoes on Cutesygirl, but don't sacrifice style just because something is $10.
About the Author
Jackie has champagne tastes on a student budget. That's why she keeps a close eye on celebrity trends, then scours fast fashion outlets to recreate the look for less. Jackie is a frequent contributor to
The Tastemaker Diaries and
Stylefeeder.com .