Top 10 Websites for Shopping on the Cheap

September 7, 2008     Posted in Style

loubo.jpgTell me if this sounds familiar: you’re relaxing in bed on a Sunday with a cup of coffee, coaxing the knot out of your brain left after five margaritas at Cabo Cantina, and flipping through the latest issue of Vogue, Bazaar, or Elle. After two hundred pages of Zac Posen dresses, Louboutin heels, Marc Jacobs bags, and “Smart Splurges Under $500,” you begin to cry.


By Abigail

Even if you traded in that hard-earned internship for a paid job delivering pizzas; even if you dropped out of school and stopped paying tuition; even if you sold a kidney, maybe two, on the black market in Thailand you still wouldn’t be able to afford a pair of $14,000 knee high alligator boots from Manolo Blahnik, or a $20,000 Hermes “Birkin” bag.

If you’re a dedicated follower of fashion like me, but poor as hell (like me), you need to know about these discount shopping websites: (In alphabetical order.)

amazon.com This site isn’t just for discounted books anymore. Amazon’s apparel and accessories department offers equally amazing deals on clothing, bags, and shoes from all the top labels. There are deals for every price range from over-the-knee patent boots from Jimmy Choo for $379 ($620 off the original price) to Seven7 skinny jeans for $18, a 70% mark down.

asos.com As Seen on Screen is a British company that specializes in trendy fashion items that are based on (or the same as) items worn by your favorite celebrities. They’ve got ASOS brand leather knee-high gladiators in the style of Ashley Olsen for £55 (about $102), a studded belt identical to the one Carrie wore in the “Sex and the City” movie for £15 (about $28), and an amazing selection of items from independent designers like a sheer chiffon floral top by To Love Kuvaa for £30 (about $56).

cutesygirl.com This site has some of the cheapest designer knock-offs you’ll find anywhere on the web. They’ve got a pair of Lindsay Lohan style liquid leggings for $20 and an adorable cropped houndstooth jacket for only $36.

fashionjunkee.com This is by far the best place to find imitation designer purses. If you’re thousands of miles from Canal Street (or if the idea of Canal Street makes you retch), you’ll love Fashion Junkee. Their “Inspired by Marc Jacobs” Stam bag is a ridiculously low $46, and their “Inspired by Balenciaga” motorcycle bag is only $58 and comes in twenty different colors.

forever21.com This is the store that definitely sucks away the biggest portion of my paycheck. See a plaid Dolce & Gabbana skirt on the fall runway you’re dying to have? Chances are they’ve got a similar item in their store for about a thousand dollars less. But the store can get crowded, and the music they play is annoying, so shopping online is a godsend. They add new merchandise everyday so visit often. Also, be sure to check out their higher end (as in, a few extra Hamiltons) label Twelve by Twelve and their accessories line For Love 21.

knowlabel.com This isn’t a designer label (Know Label, get it?), but if you don’t care what the tag says then this is an amazing website to find high quality clothing at low prices. My favorite items include a little black party dress with rosettes in the style of Philip Lim for $48, and a white silk pleated babydoll top with black ribbon trim that looks like it was taken off the back of Chloe Sevigny, also only $48.

newport-news.com This site is really all about the shoes. They’ve got dresses, bikinis, and lingerie, but these items tend to be for older women, mostly in their 30s. Skip over that stuff and go right to the footwear. They’ve got a pair of studded platform oxford booties currently on sale for $39 (was $49) that I’ve been dying to buy and classic t-strap pumps in a range of colors for only $29.

rustyzipper.com This is like a flea market you don’t have to wake up at 6 AM and drive to. They’ve got hundreds of vintage items for men and women all for around $30. Shoes, pants, dresses, all categorized by style (“Disco,” “Hippie,” etc.) and era (from the 1940s to today).

target.com I try to stay away from actual Target stores because I find that I walk in just trying to buy paper towels and come home with two bras, a pair of jeans, and a George Foreman Grill. I stick to target.com to keep myself from over-shopping and to make sure that what I walk in for is what I walk away with. In recent years they’ve also earned major style points with their Go International designer labels. Currently it’s Richard Chai’s turn, but my favorite was definitely Proenza Schouler’s line. I wear their bustier top all the time!

topshop.com Supposedly the British high street chain Topshop is coming to America, but until it makes it to your city, you’ll have to settle for browsing the runway worthy duds and Kate Moss designed separates online.

Has anyone got a favorite discount shopping site they’d like to add to this list? I’m always looking for new places to burn through my savings.

66 Comments on "Top 10 Websites for Shopping on the Cheap"

  1. Ashley says:
    Sun, 7th Sep 200810:12 am 

    I looove asos… just wore a pair of kick ass copper snake skin pumps I got (on sale for $15, no less!) and got compliments on them all night!

  2. Victoria W - Bingham says:
    Mon, 8th Sep 20081:27 pm 

    Love this article! Thanks for the killer round up of sites, I love fulfilling fashion whims on the cheap.

    TopShop is fabulous! Its an edgier and more fashion-forward H&M. I fell in love with it when I lived in England- super inexpensive and cute stuff!

  3. Ash says:
    Tue, 9th Sep 200811:01 am 

    I saw this same list on College Fashion: http://www.collegefashion.net/shopping/top-10-bes…. I like both of your lists, except I'm not sure about Topshop – when you convert the prices from pounds to dollars and add shipping to the US, it's not exactly cheap!

  4. Helen says:
    Wed, 10th Sep 20085:09 am 

    Topshop cheap? Not recently! In the last few years its got so expensive!

  5. Koley says:
    Wed, 10th Sep 20085:39 pm 

    http://www.hautelook.com – it's an invite-only email list, they don't spam you AT ALL, just send you emails which allow you to get the real things for WAY cheap – I got a denim mini from William Rast (Justin Timberlake's clothing line) for 70% off retail and absolutely love it! The only downside is the sizing tends to be in inches; however the clothes fit perfectly since you have to know your exact "number measurements" instead of the typical size 4/5/6/7… etc. type.

  6. Koley says:
    Wed, 10th Sep 20085:40 pm 

    ps: the list is open to anyone and everyone

  7. lidia says:
    Mon, 22nd Sep 20086:24 pm 

    gojane.com

  8. lona says:
    Mon, 6th Oct 20088:44 am 

    shoppinggenius.org is another great site to find things cheap and sale notices

  9. Party Girl says:
    Mon, 10th Nov 20083:48 am 

    this post is awesome

  10. Isabella says:
    Sun, 1st Feb 20099:37 pm 

    http://www.bellastretch.com also has great outfits for under $50 – just check it out.

  11. ranagill58 says:
    Mon, 8th Jun 200911:12 am 

    hey, reading this article has really helped me a lot…these websites are good.

    Guess what?? i came across a similar bur very amazing shopping website online..its

    http://www.fashion4us.com

    OH!! its amazing. They have a good range of products. I just bought 4 dresses from there. Thought i should share my opinion with many other online shoppers. So go check it out, am sure just like the websites mentioned above you would live fashion4us as well. I completely loved it :)

  12. Taryn says:
    Tue, 16th Jun 20099:57 am 

    Some other great shopping websites are
    http://www.ideeli.com http://www.ruelala.com
    and
    http://www.hautelook.com!

    All these websites are invitation only, but they have the best deals on everything! Next week on ruelala.com there is a Gucci sale and right now William Rast jeans. You can sign up with my email as the referral:

    purpledinosbomb@yahoo.com

    Thanks!

  13. Sabrina says:
    Sat, 4th Jul 20095:57 pm 

    These websites are great! Some good websites are giltgroup.com with the referral email: shrinky1996@msn.com, thehipchick.com, billiondollarbabes.com, bluefly.com, and shopblueheaven.com.

    Check them out!

  14. lara says:
    Wed, 22nd Jul 20093:38 pm 

    For instant access to some of the best invite only sites I've found–ideeli, rue la la, billion dollar babes, the top secret, gilt groupe, editor's closet, hautelook, gomatta girls, and DD Push–follow this link for your invitations:
    http://bestonlinesamplesales.blogspot.com/

  15. Kate Schaefer says:
    Tue, 28th Jul 20095:29 pm 

    If you are looking for American Apparel products on the cheap – this website is the lease expensive and they always have inventory –

    http://www.minoritypromotions.com/0EEBBA92F156479…

  16. Etude says:
    Mon, 12th Oct 200910:24 am 

    hey, reading this article has really helped me a lot…these websites are good.

    Guess what?? i came across a similar bur very amazing shopping website online..its

    Etude house

    OH!! its amazing. They have a good range of products. I just bought 4 dresses from there. Thought i should share my opinion with many other online shoppers. So go check it out, am sure just like the websites mentioned above you would live fashion4us as well. I completely loved it :)

  17. Skinfood says:
    Sat, 24th Oct 20098:53 am 

    shoppinggenius.org is another great site to find things cheap and sale notices Etude house | สุขภาพ | Skinfood

  18. anirac says:
    Sat, 24th Oct 20092:13 pm 

    Try finding deals and fashion coupons on http://www.pocketdeal.com. I personally enjoyed and made my purchases through them for 2 years now :)

  19. Etude says:
    Thu, 29th Oct 20099:00 am 

    this post is awesome Cayenne Pepper Diet | Printable Address Labels | บล็อคฟรี

  20. ken says:
    Wed, 4th Nov 20094:29 pm 

    This article is great but incomplete! You forgot to add the http://www.shopspot.us that turns shopping into a more digg like atmosphere.

  21. asianfashion4u says:
    Thu, 10th Dec 20093:48 am 

    i like this article too much. there is awesome korean japanese fashion web http://www.asianfashion4u.com i think the fashion crazer will like it so post here let us share together.

  22. jewelz says:
    Mon, 14th Dec 200910:28 am 

    I know a cool little website where you can get fashion jewelry for just $2 check it out at http://www.windfall-costume-jewelry.com/store/Che…

  23. Jordan ly says:
    Tue, 2nd Mar 20104:39 pm 

    So I introduce to you the shoes are .Thank you for your attention.

  24. Jordan ly says:
    Tue, 2nd Mar 20104:50 pm 

    http://www.discountjordanshoes.com offer cheap and verios and comfortable shoes for you!

  25. krissy says:
    Tue, 2nd Mar 20106:46 pm 

    Sleakdeals.net will tell you when other sites are having deals or coupon codes!

    also dealsea.com

  26. Jessica says:
    Wed, 7th Apr 20105:01 pm 

    Another cool site for cheap sunglasses and accessories is http://www.thehoneyroom.com i shop there quite a bit and the customer service is really good.

  27. Serina says:
    Wed, 14th Apr 201010:03 pm 

    If you are looking for one of a kind funky wear with touch of Asian Taste, You can check out http://www.nanaq.com. I accidentally found them on Yahoo when I was looking for the Taiwanese brand I'miusa. I especially like their funky style. They have excellent customer service too!

  28. Leona James says:
    Sat, 17th Apr 20101:46 pm 

    Hautelook : designer items for sale!! :
    http://www.hautelook.com/invite/athakur576

  29. hannah james says:
    Sat, 22nd May 201012:55 pm 

    There is a Cheap site i came across recently,i found the perfect dress there and everything is under £20 so perfect for anyone on s budget!

    well recommended!!!

    http://www.urbanhoney.co.uk/

    Enjoy :D

  30. Emmanuel Peterson says:
    Sat, 24th Jul 20104:28 pm 

    Wonderful information. This will really help my endless quest for the perfect shopping environment.

  31. Cheap Car Direct says:
    Sun, 15th Aug 20109:54 pm 

    hi this is sophie.this site is really very useful and knowledgeable.

    =================

    Cheap Car Direct

  32. Jena says:
    Thu, 7th Oct 20109:39 am 

    Good list. Here is a site that lists great daily deals & steals for designer fashion and other superb finds: http://www.fashionhippo.com

  33. Bethany says:
    Fri, 15th Oct 20101:42 pm 

    I found this really cool site; http://www.JETLIFElv.com
    It’s a private, members-only / invitation only, flash sales site that offers popular hotel and resort destinations all at up to 65% off.

    They have destinations in the US and overseas (Europe, Paris France, ect.)

    Word to the wise, you have to be quick though. Most of their vacations sell out in the first 30secs of being offered. So I suggest logging in regularly.

    Membership is offered through current members only; feel free to email me if you would like an invite. klavradio(at)gmail(.)com

    Beth

  34. Carol says:
    Fri, 11th Feb 20114:14 pm 

    That site has nothing to do with cars!! Very misleading.

  35. Carol says:
    Fri, 11th Feb 20114:15 pm 

    the site I am referring to that has nothing to do with cars is called cheap car direct. Again, very misleading

  36. brian2baker says:
    Wed, 16th Feb 20115:47 am 

    Thank you for your tips, i am always looking forward to learn about more sites where i could get cheap stuff online and your examples suits my tastes. It's been years now since i buy most of my clothing online, it's the perfect escape from the mall's noises and crowds for me.

  37. Guest says:
    Wed, 16th Feb 20118:18 pm 

    15dollarstore.com is really good, the things they sell are brand-name stuff (not too expensive) but they reduce the price of everything to 15 bucks. Kind of like a dollar store, but for clothes!

  38. Myra says:
    Sun, 27th Feb 20114:24 pm 

    Have you heard about secret sales for boutiques (sample sales)? Not many know about them because they use to only be in New York but They have HUGE sales going on right now online, but you can still Google it to be assured that they're real and professional sales. =)

    I'll provide some links to a few invite-only sites for private/secret sales for designer clothes, make-up, shoes, heels, boots, bags, etc. You can find unique home furniture, jewelry, luggage and many home appliances. They even have Vacation Trips and Spa Packages at reduced prices! They also have Mens Designer Clothes and Childrens Clothes. Many times they have items that can't be found anywhere else. The sales only last 1-2 days and you can sometimes find things that are up to 95% off the original price but they sell out fast! I'm pretty sure you'll love these sites either way!

    http://www.ideeli.com/invite/iamthaatiam
    http://www.ruelala.com/invite/iamthaatiam
    http://www.hautelook.com/invite/iamthaatiam
    http://www.editorscloset.com/cust/membersignup.as…
    http://secretsales.com/registration/?invite=82962…

    Good luck and have fun shopping!

  39. CL shoes says:
    Fri, 8th Apr 20114:23 pm 

    http://www.christianlouboutinclstore.com

  40. LouboutinPumps says:
    Sat, 9th Apr 20113:29 am 

    five fingers,five fingers

  41. littlemissshopper says:
    Thu, 21st Apr 20118:42 pm 

    Crispstyl.com is a amazing website namebrand clonthing for dirtcheap !!!!!! Some of the shoes style are from the precious year but mostly everything is pretty new and still in style !!! Plus freeshipping they do charge alot of taxes but you can get some really good products!!

  42. Laila says:
    Tue, 10th May 20117:01 am 

    THIS is THE perfect place to shop, whatever U need AND they have price garantee plus a 5 % cash back on all your buys etc etc check it out U WILL LOVE IT… This site gives so many benefits that no one else does.

    ENJOY your shopping :o )))

  43. Laila says:
    Tue, 10th May 20117:02 am 

    UPS forgot the link : sorry here it is
    http://us.mall.dubli.com/?BArefno=8874185

  44. Laila says:
    Tue, 10th May 20118:05 am 

    Then http://us.mall.dubli.com/?BArefno=8874185 is the perfect place for U :o )
    They compare all the prices from store to store and will tell you where it is the cheapest and on the top of that they give you 5 % cash back… HAVE sweet is that :o ) That is FUNshopping .I am deff. so happy that I found this site.

  45. Starfire says:
    Mon, 6th Jun 20112:09 pm 

    try 599fashion.com nothing is over $5.99 and shipping is good. Also try 10dollarmall.com they have sum cute clothes all for under $10. how can you not go wrong with those prices. and the 10dollarmall.com aslo has clothes for men and children as well; as well as accessories. and shipping is cheap.

  46. Online Shopping says:
    Thu, 7th Jul 20112:37 am 

    Do try it out once; you will never regret your decision. And once you shop from this site you’ll know how different it is from the rest.

  47. Ashley says:
    Mon, 11th Jul 20119:37 pm 

    I came across a web site called http://www.dongeeor.com about two weeks ago i would recommend them for nice cheap fashion clothing and http://www.us.allsaintsarchive.com they have some inexpensive pieces as well hope this helps! :)

  48. anon says:
    Sun, 28th Aug 20114:36 pm 

    nastygal.com !!! the very best.

  49. Sally says:
    Fri, 30th Dec 20115:01 am 

    Jayjay's from NZ/ Aussie! http://www.jayjays.com.au/

  50. johara says:
    Wed, 8th Feb 20123:38 am 

    it's not working

  51. Rebecca says:
    Sun, 12th Feb 201210:04 pm 

    Checkout the following website for the greatest deals http://bit.ly/zLkBsu they stock brand new items from large companies for literally a 'steal of a deal'.Imagine US$51.12 for a brand new iphone 4s which does not have service contract and retails around US$649 over 90% discount.This site has been featured on some of your favourite tv programs for its great bargains, and no this is not an auction site,this company http://bit.ly/zLkBsu is genuine and truted.

  52. tequila says:
    Thu, 23rd Feb 201211:49 pm 

    These are pretty good fashionable websites with decsent prices. enjoy. http://www.15dollarstore.com http://www.garbboutique.com

  53. wholesale fashion says:
    Wed, 29th Feb 20125:16 am 

    How about trying online fashion clothing wholesaler Cleocat-Fashion? Their clothes, bags and accessories are cheap and of good quality?

  54. Foe says:
    Tue, 3rd Apr 20125:25 pm 

    the first site you cant even access and the second is not cheap at all.
    were looking for bargains here people… lets focus!

  55. FOE says:
    Tue, 3rd Apr 20125:35 pm 

    Very bad reviews for this Cleocat-Fashion site
    thank god i saw this before i made my purchase :c
    don't trust it .

  56. Samantha says:
    Wed, 18th Apr 201211:34 pm 

    Found an awesome boutique that gets you clothes from this site but you dont pay the shipping becasue they buy in bulk!
    http://www.facebook.com/Scarlet.Night.Boutique

  57. Jane says:
    Thu, 19th Apr 20126:07 am 

    Recently found great website http://salestarts.com Lot’s of brands and retailers however its based in the UK and not all merchants ship to the US, still a great SALE website.

  58. aida says:
    Mon, 23rd Apr 20123:19 pm 

    i love gojane.com and lulus.com their apparels are very affordable.

  59. p . sadish says:
    Tue, 8th May 201210:37 am 

    go to flipkart.com . it is very nice shopping experience

  60. clothing websites says:
    Tue, 8th May 201211:19 am 

    Forever 21 is indeed one of the cheapest clothing websites. It also has quality clothes. I bought from them many times and I was happy with the products!

  61. stradivarius shop online says:
    Wed, 9th May 201212:07 am 

    Hi, i feel that i noticed you visited my web site thus i came to go back the choose?.I’m attempting to find things to enhance my site!I assume its adequate to make use of a few of your ideas!!

  62. @CayleeMonea says:
    Thu, 10th May 20129:31 pm 

    How about Modocat.com and asociete.com.

  63. CopyChic says:
    Thu, 17th May 20125:46 pm 

    Who are these 30-year-olds shopping at Newport News? I'm in my mid-thirties and guarantee you that neither I nor any of my friends who are "older" as you put it have ever purchased anything there. Not that I have anything against the brand, but hello? Who writes this stuff?

    By the way, whoever said Forever 21 sells "quality" items is half correct. Some of their items do last, but as for most, I wouldn't count on it. Ever heard their "return" policy.

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