Trying to maintain an up-to-date and stylish wardrobe on a college budget can be a daunting task. Luckily, there are plenty of stores out there that sell fashionable clothes at reasonable prices. We all know and love the more popular affordable stores like Forever 21 and H&M, but for those who are looking to branch out, there are plenty of others out there to try too. Here are ten of HC’s favorites!
1. Nasty Gal
Originally created as an eBay store in 2006 by founder Sophia Amoruso, it’s now an exclusively online store that sells both new and vintage fashion-forward clothing.
Some of the pieces on this site can be expensive, but prices start around $20 and there are also always great selections on sale! Many of their items are one-of-a-kind and are great if you’re looking for a rock ‘n’ roll vibe. So if you want a killer going out outfit like the one below, this is the store for you.
Bronzed Peplum Dress, $47.60
Studded Wedge Boot – Black, $54.60
Low prices, free worldwide shipping and 50 percent off your first order are only a few of the reasons that Tobi’s popularity has recently skyrocketed. It’s almost impossible not to fall in love with the online store after seeing their ridiculously inexpensive but still fashionable items.
They offer clothes, accessories and shoes from a multitude of both big (Michael Kors, Steve Madden, Free People, etc.) and smaller designers in all different price ranges. To stay on budget, check out the incredible amount of items they have in their “under $25,” “under $50” and “under $100” sections.
The store also offers other great deals like 30 percent off new arrivals for the first seven days they’re in the store and 50 percent off your entire order if you get five friends to join Tobi.
They limit membership in order to provide the best shopping experience possible, so hurry, sign up and tell your friends!
Here’s one great outfit to check out:
Moto Skinny Jeggings in Wine, $46
3. Lulu’s
Another exclusively online boutique, Lulu’s offers a hip selection of fun and flirty clothing, accessories and shoes from emerging new designers.
One of the best things about Lulu’s is that they offer thousands of dresses at reasonable prices, so it’s a great place to shop for any special occasion or just for going out on the town. Their dress prices start in the mid-twenties and they have over 400 dresses that are under $100!
“The dresses are cute and affordable, and the site is definitely good at sensing what will be trendy next season,” says Annalee, a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Check out one party look we love:
Lulu’s Exclusive Just Dance Backless Coral Lace Dress, $48
GoMax Calantha 01 Peach and Taupe High Rise High Heels, $53
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4. Urbanog
Obsessed with cute shoes but don’t have the bank account to support your addiction? Urbanog is the solution!
Although they also offer a variety of stylish clothes, the store is best known for their awesome and inexpensive shoe collection.
From gutsy party heels to classic flats to riding boots, the online collection of more than 2000 shoes has a pair to go with almost anyone’s style. And the best part is, their prices start as low as $7!
“I like Urbanog because I am a little shoe crazy and they always seem to have amazing shoes for affordable prices,” says Becca, a sophomore at George Washington University.
Here’s a sneak peak at one of their trendy options:
Mesha-2 Buckle Ruched Riding Knee High Boot, $30.20
Most collegiettes don’t have the budget to spend ridiculous amounts of money on over-priced makeup. Luckily, NYX Cosmetics makes it so you don’t have to worry. Their products are both high-quality and inexpensive – the best combination there is!
If you’re unsure how to go about looking for what you want on their site, their Personal Shopper makes it easy to find the perfect item for every situation.
If you still need a tip, check out their Trio Eye Shadows. They come in 18 different color palettes that can make any shape and color of eye come alive. And the best part is, they’re only $7 each!
6. GoJane
GoJane is self-described as “an Internet retailer of fashion forward apparel for progressive young women.” Their clothes, shoes and accessories range from classic to edgy pieces, so every collegiette can find something she loves.
And in terms of pricing, once you GoJane, you won’t go back. They have tops starting at under $5, bottoms under $10 and dresses under $15!
They even have a LiveChat service that lets you ask them any questions you have about their products or store.
Here’s one look we love:
Graphic Cat Face Sweater, $38.20
High-Waisted Skinny Jeans in Mint, $41.30
Fringe Faux Suede Booties, $21.50
7. ASOS
If you enjoy a variety of different fashionable street style looks, you definitely need to check out ASOS. Their pieces range from feminine and flirty to edgy and urban with everything in between. The online store offers over 850 labels and their clothing is always on-trend.
Their tops start at under $10, sweaters at under $30, jeans at under $30 and dresses at under $20.
They also almost always have some sort of awesome sale going on! Items are sometimes marked up to 70 percent off which makes their prices impossible to resist.
They even have an Outfits & Looks section that is similar to Polyvore and allows you to create, share and shop for your favorite looks such as the Lana Del Rey inspired one below.
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8. AKIRA
AKIRA only has stores in the Chicago area, but anyone can shop on the online site. However, if you live in or happen to be visiting the Windy City, you should definitely make a stop at one of their actual locations. Each of their stores’ merchandise, music and visuals reflect the vibe of its geographical location and give each one a unique style.
And of course once you’re inside, you’re not going to want to leave before picking up a few new trendy pieces for your wardrobe. They have a wide price range with 400 items under $50 so you can definitely maintain your budget, but if you’re looking to splurge you can also check out their awesome selection of Jeffrey Campbell shoes!
Check out this stylish ensemble:
Dolman Knit Slouchy Sweater in Berry, $29.90
High Waist Scalloped Shorts, $34.90
9. LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl’s
Whether you hated or loved The Hills you can’t deny that Lauren Conrad has amazing fashion sense. Now she’s channeling her style into a line of clothing at Kohl’s that you can get at affordable prices.
“I love everything in Lauren Conrad’s line for Kohl’s. It has pieces for professional and casual wear, all with a feminine, flirty, and polished boho feel, so you can find something for pretty much any occasion that will be cute,” says Rebecca, a senior at the University of Oregon. “They always have pieces on sale so you can get it at a really reasonable price!”
Their tops start at under $15, sweaters at $20, pants at under $15 and dresses at under $25.
Here’s one outfit to rock:
LC Lauren Solid Chambray Henley, $30.80
LC Lauren Conrad Floral Leggings, $11.99
10. ModCloth
For the Marilyn Monroe in all of us, there is ModCloth. This store is all about outfits that modernize indie, vintage and retro-inspired looks. They offer tons of trendy pieces such as high-waisted bikini bottoms and polka-dot pin-up dresses.
Basically, if you’ve ever been jealous of the fashion of the women of Mad Men but didn’t think you could afford any of it, ModCloth is about to become your new favorite shopping destination.
Their dresses start at under $20 and they have an “under $50” section where you can browse through a collection of over 300 adorable dresses. Tops start at under $15, skirts at under $25 and jeans at under $50.
Here’s one look we love:
Now and Layer Top, $37.99
Sass in the Workplace Skirt, $29.99
Did we miss any of your favorite affordable brands, collegiettes? Let us know with a comment below!