BB's Ultimate Shopping Guide

Years in the making, here's my "secret" list of the best sources for budget-friendly fashions, accessories, hard-to-find sizes and more.

Jump to: Fashion | Cute & Cheap Dresses | Plus Size | Consignment | Budget Beauty | Maternity | Mobile Apps | Oh, Canada | United Kingdom | Jewelry & Scarves | Shoes | Handbags | Weddings | Home & Gifts | International Shipping | Designer Labels for Less


Fashion
A
Asos: One of the best places to get runway-inspired looks for less. Also a great source of party dresses under $100.


Akira: Chicago-area chain with cheap and mid-range fashions


B
Bella Dawn: Trendy accessories and designer-inspired handbags


C
Chloe Loves Charlie: Fun and feminine fashions under $100.


Chosen Girl: Flashy and inexpensive


Collage Boutique: Lets you shop by trend, sweet selection of dresses, handbags and shoes


Cotton Age: Cheap basics, like tees and tanks from America Apparel


D
Down East Basics: Modest and colorful, similar to Boden or Anthropologie but much cheaper. Retail stores throughout Utah.


E
eBay: Find everything from vintage jewelry to the latest trends.


Entourage: Affordable clothing and gifts.


eShakti: Offers custom sizing for the perfect fit.


F
Forever 21: Fun, fearless fashion. Revolutionized the way we shop.


Flourish Boutique: Feminine fashion and accessories mostly under $50.

Francesca's Collections: Feminine and demure fashions and accessories, mostly under $50.


Fly Jane: Celebrity fashion for the diva on a budget.


G
Goodwill: Everyone's favorite thrift store goes cyber. Great spot to get cheap Ray Ban sunglasses, vintage jewelry, retro home decor and so much more.


NEW GroopDealz: Daily deals on random goodness like chevron tops or J.Crew bubble-like necklaces or Anthro-esque potholders. Addictive.


H
House of Plum Red: Sassy dresses, tops and more under $50.


High Gloss Fashion: Edgy and trendy, mostly under $100


Hot Topic: Trendy fashions under $50


J
J.Crew Factory: Dedicated outlet store for this prep staple.


JCPenney: Newly committed to low prices. Best bets: I Heart Ronson, nicole by Nicole Miller, Olsenboye, Call It Spring, and MNG by Mango.


j.e.m. apparel: Full of hidden fashion "gems" mostly under $50. Free gift wrap with every purchase.


Jupe Boutique: Small but good selection of current fashions.


K
Kohl's: LC by Lauren Conrad, Simply Vera Vera Wang, ELLE and Jennifer Lopez Collection are just a few good reasons to shop here.


L
Lily Boutique: Average price of items at this adorable little boutique is $28. They ship internationally, too.


Lester's: The online home of the cult-favorite New York department store founded in Brooklyn in 1948.


LOVE: UK fashion brand sold in stores like Topshop, ships worldwide.


Lulu's: Ever-changing inventory of cute dresses, the latest fashions, Jeffrey Campbell shoes and more, with most items under $50.


NEW Luxe No. 7: Affordable fashions from brands like Ark & Co.


M
Mikkat Market: High-end look and feel, well-edited selection, low prices.


Mango Shop on Amazon: Another one of my secret weapons. Fashion with a European flair.


McAuley's: South Carolina-based fashion boutique, cocktail to casual wear.


Make Me Chic: Party dresses, handbags, shoes and more under $50.


N
Necessary Clothing: Trendy clothing and cute dresses, mostly under $50. Alexander McQueen clutch lookalikes, too.


No Rest for Bridget: This chic shop has 3 retail locations in Orange County, California. Most items are under $40.


P
Peacock Plume: Girly fashions under $50.


Papaya Clothing: Teen fashions under $40.


Publik: High fashion looks for low prices




Q
Questhaven Fashions: Trendy on a budget, plus some vintage


R
Ruche: Think Anthropologie on a budget


Rickety Rack: Fashions under $100, including dozens of party dresses by brands like Ark & Co. and Aryn K. Headquartered in Beverly Hills.


S
ShopHCB.com: Lots of cheap trends under $50, from chevron blouses to statement necklaces. My favorites have a Kate Spade feel.


ShopPublik.com:

On trend tops, dresses, jewelry and accessories, mostly under $50.


Shoptiques: Lets you shop small fashion boutiques from around the country in one spot


Shabby Apple: Modest dresses inspired by classic icons like Jackie O. and Audrey Hepburn.


Shop Kempt: Colorful and charming fashions, many under $50.


Shop Sosie: Kinda like Shopbop on a budget.


Shop Tres: Three sisters running a store and website out of Tucson, Arizona


Shop Nasty Gal: Edgy hipster duds, brands like Jeffrey Campbell, Melie Bianco


Shop Golden Pony: LA-based boutique that offers runway-inspired trends under $200.


Shop Excess Baggage: Hit the $50 and under section for great bargains. Take 15% off with code: exclusivexbag.


Studio 12.20: Affordable boho clothes, shoes and accessories plus brands like Haute Hippie.


Style Godis: Cool girl fashions mostly under $50.


T
Target: Designer collabs, home decor, beauty products and so much more for so very little green.


Thread Sence: Like their sister site ShopRuche only edgier, plus a spotlight on indie and eco designers.


Tulle: Mod and vintage inspired fashion, mostly under $75.


U
Uniqlo: Japan-based budget fashion behemoth. Kinda like Gap but cooler.


Urban 1972: Similar to Forever 21


Urban Originals: Trendy under $30


UK Style by French Connection: My sole reason for shopping at Sears.


V
Varga Store: Like Bebe on a budget.


W
Willow St. Boutique: A mix of high and low trendy brands.


Y
Yesstyle: Leading online retailers of Asian fashions


Z
Zara: Runway-inspired fashions for work and play. Great sales, too.


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Cute & Cheap Dresses
Asos: Designer-inspired dresses for every occasion.


Messes Of Dresses: As the name suggests, this site stocks lots of cute, cheap dresses.


ModCloth: Lots of affordable dresses, including evening gowns and other floor-length options under $200.


Rent the Runway: Why buy a dress you only wear once? Rent designer dresses and accessories instead. Genius.


Windsor Store: Lots of cheap party dresses, homecoming dresses, prom dresses and more under $100.


Zoe Brianne: Colorful casual dresses under $100, including some plus-size.


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Plus Size:
ASOS: Their Curve label is a favorite among plus-size fashion bloggers.


Fashion to Figure: Current trends in sizes 12-26


Kiyonna.com: Sophisticated style, size 10+


Nordstrom.com: Some of the most stylish plus-size styles for everyday, plus swimwear and eveningwear.


SimplyBe.com: Affordable style in US sizes 10 to 28


Yours Clothing: UK based fashion store carrying sizes 14-32.


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Consignment - Buy & Sell Used Clothing
Shop Hers: A new luxury e-commerce marketplace where patrons of designer fashion both sell and buy pre-owned clothing & accessories. The platform is unique as it uses similarities in body measurements and personal style, making it possible for strangers to organically discover their "Style Soul Mates."


Threadflip: Sell, swap and buy used clothes and accessories. Download the iPhone app for the best experience.


Twice: Buying and selling like-new clothing has never been easier. Request a free mailer today, plus calculate how much you'll earn before you send in your clothes. Eco-friendly and fashionable!


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Budget Beauty:
BeautyTicket.com: Premium discount cosmetics like Smashbox and Stila at up to 85% off.


e.l.f. Cosmetics: Makeup for $1. And it's good, too.


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Maternity:
Asos: Stylish fashions for expectant moms.


Liz Lange for Target: Makes it easy to look great while you're pregnant


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Mobile Apps:
Coupon Sherpa: Get mobile coupons that actually work on the go.


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Oh, Canada:
Bluenotes: Canada's leading denim retailer plus cute basics.


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United Kingdom:
Chiara: UK fashion site that ships worldwide.


Darling: UK-based fashion site with an "English vintage" flare, plus all the latest trends.


Dorothy Perkins: Another great source of high-street fashion on the cheap, shipping worldwide.


Wallis: Affordable high-street fashion, ships worldwide.


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Jewelry & Scarves:
BaubleBar: You may never shop for jewelry anywhere else, ever again. Amazing selection, awesome prices, plus great designer collabs.


Charlesemersondesigns.com: Think J.Crew baubles on a budget.


Coco and Simone: Discounts on the latest jewelry trends, from bubble necklaces to pave link bracelets.


Happy Scarf: Gorgeous cheap scarves, pashminas and wraps


In Pink: Lots of costume jewelry, nothing over $80


Jewel IQ: Find pieces like J.Crew's bubble necklace knockoffs and enamel bangles for under $25 plus free shipping.


Mimi's The Look for Less Boutique: Designer-inspired costume jewelry


Le Mode Accessories: Tasteful selection of costume jewelry, scarves, bags, gloves in the $10-$50 range.


Wicked Little Fox: Trendy costume jewelry, mostly under $50


Trend Essentials: Cheap handbags, jewelry and sunglasses.


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Shoes:
Wanted Shoes: Trendy yet comfortable footwear under $100.


Shoe Thief: NYC-based boutique with designer brands for less.


Go Jane: Cheap, mostly-plastic shoes under $30. Ships to Canada.


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Handbags
Bag Inc: Designer and celebrity inspired handbags


Bella Bag: Authentic used designer handbags


Zara: Bags that look expensive but aren't. Most are under $150.


Danielle Nicole: Nice handbags under $100


BagHaus: Designer inspired handbags, most under $75.


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Weddings
eBay.com: Get a custom made gown from China for hundreds rather than thousands of dollars.


etsy.com: Enlist talented artistans from around the world to help create your gown, earrings, invites, decor and more for much less than you might spend elsewhere.


IDoJour: Sister-owned wedding boutique with affordable gowns, accessories and gifts.


Ruffled Blog's "Recycle Your Wedding" Section: Buy and sell all things wedding for less.


Shop Ruche Bridal: Dreamy dresses for brides and bridesmaids. Lots of romantic, feminine, classy, chic bridesmaid dresses under $150. A hidden gem!


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Home & Gifts:
Edisen Supply Co.: Garden & home decor plus gifts with a vintage feel


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International Shipping
Boohoo.com: One of the UK's top online fashion stores that ships worldwide. Don't miss their Boutique line.

Dorothy Perkins: Ships to over 100 countries. High street fashion trends (like Topshop).


Phase Eight: High street fashions plus wedding and bridesmaid dresses. Only ships within Europe.


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Designer Labels for Less
Bluefly: From Miu Miu and Fendi to designer denim at up to 80% off retail.


Cusp: Neiman Marcus' cool little sister


eBay: Shop with a plan from reputable sellers and you'll be rewarded.


The Outnet: Lust-worthy labels like Reed Krakoff, Isabel Marant and Brian Atwood at deep discounts. Proceed with caution.


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Disclosure: This list includes some affiliate links which may earn commissions for this site.