5 Surprisingly Good Places to Find Cute & Affordable Clothes
Not sure where to buy clothes online? Here are 5 surprisingly good places to find cute clothes that don’t break the bank. The last one is totally unexpected!
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy here.
Fashionistas, please don’t hate me, but clothes shopping is not my favorite thing to do.
Don’t get me wrong, I adore cute clothes and squeal like a giddy schoolgirl over a ridiculously good deal. But anytime I step through the whooshing automatic doors of our local department store, my visit tends to go something like this:
I first wander over to the bargain rack {being a sensible shopper and all}, but the towering mess on top resembles a semi-fashionable Mt. Everest. One I have no desire to spend the next 40 minutes sorting through.
Not to mention, I’m constantly poked with dozens of wirey hangers sticking out at odd angles as I try to find the one gem that makes this retail torture worth it.
By the time I make it to the fitting room with seven possible options {that took me an hour to find, by the way}, the attendant gives me the side eye and reminds me I can only take six inside.
*sigh*
Off come the stretchy, forgiving clothes, and on go the…”Yep, there’s no way these jeans are coming past my thighs.” Or should I say, blindingly white thighs. The wonderful fluorescent lighting serves as an unflattering reminder that I haven’t been to the beach in a few months.
Moving onto the shirts, I try the flowy style that’s in season, but it makes me look 6 months pregnant. Meanwhile, the more “slimming” options show every. single. bulge.
Seriously. I can’t even.
So I leave with nothing except an empty shopping bag, a discouraged heart, and an unrealistic vow to lose 10lbs by next week.
Although, even if I did magically lose the weight, there’s no way I’m putting myself through that scenario anytime soon.
What’s a girl to do?
Well, we still want to look put together, right? At least I do. So instead of subjecting myself to the awful retail experience that haunts me every time I need to replace a wardrobe staple, I’ll hit up my favorite stores online to see what latest trends are in stock.
That’s right, I count on the five retailers below to refresh my wardrobe without emptying my bank account. And I never even have to leave my house to go shopping! Can I get an amen!?
But first…
How to Save Money Before You Start
Before you do any online shopping at all, make sure you’re signed up for the following apps first. They literally pay you to shop and are totally FREE. That’s what I call a no-brainer!
- Ebates {for cash back} – Get the lowdown on how to use it HERE.
- Honey {for coupon codes} – Find more tips on how to maximize this Chrome extension HERE.
You ready? Let’s go shopping!
1. Shein
Shein is very affordable and has lots of options. Plus, they also have a handy app that makes it very easy to shop from your phone! And the tops are so cute, I want them ALL.
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Left: Mesh Insert Top ($6.00) | Middle: Fit & Flare Dress ($15.00) | Right: Floral Sleeveless Top ($6.00)
Keep an Eye On: The Sale tab!
Shipping Costs: FREE standard shipping on orders of $49 or more.
2. Zulily
Zulily is a daily deal site with new selections every day up to 70% off retail prices.
Availability typically lasts only three days, so if you’re thinking about it, you should probably get it! You can also refer your friends; you’ll earn $20 in Zulily credit when they sign up through your link and place their first order.
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Left: 3/4 Sleeve Tunic ($12.99) | Middle: Coral Flower Dress ($16.99) | Right: Floral Stripe Top ($19.99)
Keep an Eye On: The “New Today” section. Items sell out fast!
Shipping Costs: Start at $5.95, and increase based on the amount you order. The one downside to Zulily is there are no returns (because of their final pricing business model), but everything I’ve ordered has fit according to the measurements listed on the site. I’ve been really happy with my purchases!
3. ThredUP
Want LOFT, J. Crew, and Gap clothing without the high prices? ThredUP is the best place to find those. This online second-hand shop is pretty picky about the clothes they offer, which means the quality can’t be beat. I’ve purchased multiple items that arrived with the tags still on them. You can also refer a friend: they get $10 off their order, as well as $10 to spend.
That means if you sign up through my link you’ll get $10 to go shopping!
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Left: Striped Shirt ($9.99) | Middle: Black Lace Dress ($9.99) | Right: Active Tank ($8.99)
Keep an Eye On: New additions. The good stuff sells out very quickly, so you’ll want to do a browser refresh every few minutes. Even if you’re not sure about an item yet, add it to your cart so it doesn’t disappear!
Shipping Costs: Flat rate of $5.99, with FREE shipping on orders of $79 or more.
4. Maurices
When I’m looking for classic styles with a twist, I head to Maurices. You can choose from so many unique items—I especially love their tops and dresses. They also have a great selection of Plus sizes.
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Left: Cold Shoulder Tee ($24.00) | Middle: Solid Chiffon Dress ($34.00) | Right: Button Down Plaid Shirt ($18.89)
Keep an Eye On: The Sale section. Dresses for less than $35? Yes, please!
Shipping Costs: $6.95 for U.S. residents and $9.95 for Canadians, with FREE shipping on orders of $50 or more. However, if you have a store nearby, you can send it there and pick up for FREE.
5. Amazon
You may not typically think of Amazon when purchasing clothes, but if you need something fast, there’s a huge Amazon Fashion section to browse. Because the selection is so big, you’ll want to be specific in your search, especially with 188 results for “white spring dresses”!
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Left: Striped Tee ($13.98) | Middle: Summer Ruffle Dress ($35.99) | Right: Feather Tee ($12.95)
Keep an Eye On: Items that have a “FREE Return” label. Then you don’t have to worry about what to do if it doesn’t fit!
Shipping Costs: FREE for Prime members as long as the item is fulfilled by Amazon. Test out Prime with a free 30-day trial.
One Last Tip
For extra organization while you shop, keep a running list of clothing items you need in your bullet journal. If you don’t have one, use a small notebook to stash inside your purse.
Then write down as many details as possible about what you’re looking for: the color, style, and size. Rounding out your closet is much easier when you know exactly what to buy, rather than when you feel overwhelmed by endless options!
Did you discover any new, go-to stores within this mix? Bookmark them right now so you don’t forget, or pin this image for later. I can’t wait to hear about all the cute clothes you find, and how little you pay for them.
Because that bargain rack is SO much easier to sort through online.
Which store, if any, was new to you?
Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Rest assured, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Read my full disclosure policy here.
I really appreciate the info and ideas. I love your blog!
Try shopping at thrift stores located near upscale neighborhoods. You will find a lot of nice, name brand clothing for very little. Of course it is hit or miss but the savings can be amazing.
I’m glad you said this is hit or miss. We live an hour outside of a pretty affluent city, but I quickly discovered that their thrift stores price items for more than I would pay retail. It was so sad when I realized that. I’ll have to try another city. 🙂
Amazon has great deals on clothes! They aren’t as flexible with returns, but I’ve measured myself and bought a dress that ended up being a fabulous fit!
That’s great, Lindsey!