When it comes to shopping, there’s nothing better than a great deal on pieces you really love. Unfortunately, sometimes the pieces you really love don’t love your bank account. Some mass-produced stores attempt replicating the latest trends and fail miserably. While the price points may be tempting, the quality is often lacking and the pieces fall apart by the 3rd wash. So how do you get great quality AND save money? It can be a trial and error process, so we’ve listed our favorite brands for finding quality pieces at a great price. So next time something looks tempting at Forever 21, you can skip the trouble and get a piece that will actually last!
C. Wonder
If you love Tory Burch, but can’t afford a $250 cardigan, look no further than her ex-husband, Chris Burch! His adorable brand C. Wonder, launched in 2011, is super high quality and will get you that TB look without the hefty price tag. You’ll find plenty of fun, playful patterns, kitschy accessories as well as an array of Jonathan-Adler esque home goods at a fraction of the cost!
Uniqlo
The Japanese have a way with quality and it is clearly apparent at Uniqlo. From super soft basic tees to their patented “Heattech” heat-retaining technology included in their outerwear and underwear, the quality of their affordable pieces sets Uniqlo apart from its’ competitors. If you’re looking for the best casual, affordable basics, stroll into Uniqlo -you won’t be disappointed!
Zara
Zara is massive for a reason. They copy the most current styles, add great quality fabrics and sell them at a fraction of the cost. So you can get the Stella McCartney/Helmut Lang/3.1 Phillip Lim look without going bankrupt. If you saw it on the runway, you can probably find it at Zara. Most stores can’t pull that off!
Joe Fresh
Joe Fresh is a Canadian retailer that has been around since 2006 but launched in the U.S. in 2011. It can be compared to an updated, trendier version of GAP with Forever 21 prices, but way better quality. Joe Fresh is all about color and you’ll find a wide array of basics in soft, touchable fabrics. If you loathe cheap, itchy fabrics often found at mass stores, Joe Fresh is the place to go!
Target Collaborations
Target’s collaborations are an amazing way to actually get a designer piece without breaking the bank. Their recent collaboration with Peter Pilott0 is one of the most beautiful collections ever! While there has been a couple duds, for the most part, the Target designer collaborations are well worth the wait.
Dolce Vita/DV by Dolce Vita
Dolce Vita is one of our favorite brands! They manage to use high quality, genuine materials at an affordable price point. They have expanded into clothing, but their real gem is in their shoes. The take the latest trends and styles and create a genuine, high quality version that you would often find in brands twice the price.
Topshop
Topshop manages to release the latest trends at a reasonable price point without letting the quality suffer. While their price point is higher for designer collaborations (like Kate Moss), generally you can find some great trend pieces at Topshop. However, if you’re looking for basics, Topshop is probably not your store.
Nasty Gal
Nasty Gal carries an array of brands from their namesake collection to Jeffrey Campbell. You’ll find a range of price points, but there are some real gems in their private label trend items. For example, they were one of the first brands to turn Rag & Bone’s $1,000 leather overalls into an affordable, great looking $70 pair. Nasty Gal stays on top of trends, so if you’re looking for trendy, current pieces, add Nasty Gal to your list.
C. Wonder
Uniqlo
Zara
Joe Fresh
Dolce Vita
Topshop
Nasty Gal