Online shopping is basically the best invention since… well, ever. It is easy, organized, and saves the time and hassle of searching through everything in a retail store. However, beware — shopping online can become more addictive than coffee or Netflix and may lead to an empty bank account and an overflowing closet.
Over the last several years, the presence of click-only shops as well as online extensions of retail stores have dramatically increased. This leaves shoppers with more options than ever before, and makes it difficult and time-consuming to scour the web searching for the best sites to shop. To save our reader from such trouble, I’ve compiled a list of the best, most fashion-forward shopping sites you need to check out.
Note: each title is a link to the store’s website!
Keep is basically a Pinterest that you can directly shop from (a/k/a every shopping addict’s dream). Their “Trending” page is full of pictures from different online retailers and brands with a layout similar to the famous pinning site, and shoppers have the option to either “Like,” “Keep,” or “Buy” the pictured item. Keep also offers a fashion blog and a few different gift guides, but most importantly, its own app, making it almost too easy to shop during class, or even in the car. If you haven’t heard of Keep before, trust me, this will be your new obsession.
The British brand now has several locations in the United States, including Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New York City, but that is a tad out of reach for students living in Lubbock. The store has become especially well known, thanks to their massive online shopping following. Topshop’s website is simple to navigate and they offer a massive selection of the latest trends in clothing, shoes, accessories, and more. For the most part, it’s fairly affordable, but tops can range anywhere from $30 to over $200. Luckily, students can get a 10 percent discount all year round! Just register with Student Beans to get your instant online code.
Unlike most of the other sites on this list, Gilt doesn’t offer just women’s fashions. The store’s selections feature men’s and children’s clothing, home accessories, furniture, and more. Even better, their wide array of luxury products are discounted. Gilt has unique sales that start daily at noon and last 36 hours, and are categorized by a brand or a specific style. For instance, one of today’s 10 sales (just in the women’s category) is titled “Winter Boho Style,” and has everything from fringe boots to patterned sweaters at a discounted price. You must create a membership to enter the website, and once you start, you get 30 days of free shipping. They had me at “free.”
I’ve been shopping on Nasty Gal for years, and people are always thrown off by the name when they ask where I got my outfit. So, don’t be fooled, it’s not a store for strippers or anything. Nasty Gal has some amazing clothes, and, like Topshop, its prices can go all over the place — it depends on what you’re shopping for. The click-only shop is best used for someone on the hunt for a well-made, trendy outfit to go out in, or if you’d like to blow your last paycheck on a killer pair of Jeffrey Campbells.
Planet Blue’s style is boho chic, much like Free People, and also offers vintage styles and designer fashion and jewelry. It can get pretty pricy (also much like Free People), so if you are looking for anything under $50, this probably is not your place. Along with selections that feature many different brands, the company has its own brand called Blue Life that you can shop for on the site. Despite the high prices, Planet Blue is easily becoming one of my new obsessions. Every shopping addict needs to splurge every once in a while, right?
This is for the shopping addicts who eat Ramen noodles every night to afford an impeccable closet. Tobi is the place to go for discounts, and offers a wide selection of cute and trendy clothes, shoes, and accessories. About 30 new pieces are added every single weekday, and all at 30 percent off. The clothes lose their discount after about a week and go back to the full price, but even then, the prices range from $30 to $70. You even get a 50 percent discount on your first Tobi purchase. Don’t forget to check every morning for their new updates!
Revolve is for those of us fortunate enough not to be on a budget. It is, by far, one of the best shopping sites out there, but high quality clothing demands high prices. The website features upscale brands like Alice + Olivia, BCBG, and J Brand jeans, so a good deal of their clothing reaches triple digits. Also, with December steadily approaching, Revolve is helping customers find the perfect gifts with a special holiday gift guide on their site.
You have probably seen the obnoxious Just Fab commercials on TV with the man acting like his girlfriend’s closet full of shoes is some kind of nightmare, but don’t let the cheesy ads keep you away. Just Fab really is an awesome site for unbelievable discounts. Some of their shoes are not exactly the classiest, but you can score some really great finds searching through their insanely large collection. It is another site that you must be a member to shop, but VIP members (which is everyone with a membership) get an exclusive “buy one, get one free” deal on their first purchase. That means only about $40 for two pairs of shoes, considering most styles start at $39.95. Just Fab has also recently added a new brand of athletic clothing by Kate Hudson called Fabletics, from which, as a new member, you can purchase one full outfit for $25. Sounds like a deal to me.
About Nicole Crites
