It’s the end of the semester, collegiettes™, and we feel your pain. You are exhausted… and so is your closet. After manipulating every last bandeau, legging, LBD, and grandfather sweater into “unique outfits” for the last three months, you have run your closet dry, and it’s begging you for a little tender love and care. Luckily, wintertime is wish list time!
Check out our top five lesser-known online shopping sites—one for each of the times daily that you click to Urban Outfitters with fingers crossed that it might have actually been updated within the last hour… and then hang your head in disappointment.
1. Akira
This Chicago-based gem is a club-goer’s paradise. Glitter, chunky heels, body-con, and leather reign supreme on this site. We love the studded accessories and the modern take on fringe (read: this is not your parents’ rodeo), and prices range from mall-standard affordable to indulgence, so you’re sure to find something for your budget. We highly suggest ringing in the New Year in one of their slinky sequin numbers!
2. ASOS
We adore UK-based ASOS because it’s a blend of the woman we are (the casual but cute and trend-conscious woman), the woman we want to be (the sophisticated but sexy career woman), and the woman we like to be sometimes (those times involving lots of body-con and being anywhere from 10:00 pm to 3:00 am on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights). Best-kept secret:ASOS Marketplace allows you to buy and sell vintage clothes from the comfort of your dorm! (Or the library, if you’re really having trouble focusing on that term paper.)
3. Nasty Gal
Don’t be fooled by the name; Nasty Gal has closet candy for classy girls too! Equal parts Pretty Woman and Gossip Girl, this wardrobe screams edge and sass. Score some of the best bodysuits, statement jewelry, and clunky platform heels (we worship you, Jeffrey Campbell). We love their play on the winter trend of bright velvet—high waisted red velvet shorts? Not just for Santa’s elves anymore.
4. 80’s Purple
80’s Purple is a secret grunge haven—it’s exclusively available online. Intrigued? The whole site is a throwback to the 80’s, and while we know none of us were hitting the runway shows back then, we have to admit that the distressed cutoffs, laser-cut leggings, and cozy crop sweaters almost make us wish we had been there (feathered hair aside).
5. Karmaloop
Attention all collegiettes who like a little street with their chic: Karmaloop is the site for you! We like their anti-conformist and anti-elitist vibe (just check out the “About Karmaloop” section—you will fall in love with these people!). You can add some fun to your fashion with their sexy high waisted skinnies and their socks: so many quirky socks! And if you’re looking to add tricked-out kicks to your wish list, Karmaloop is the way to go (spikes and python print, anyone?).
It’s easy to fall back on your usual online shopping haunts when you are just in the mood for a little procrastination perusing, but now that you can finally narrow down your most wanted list, why not shake things up? Don’t let your closet tire out this winter; treat it to some new styles from these lesser-known online shops and you and your wardrobe will start the new year ready to turn heads.