PRETTYLITTLETHING: 4/5
Ordering from PrettyLittleThing is a hit or miss. Amy ordered two different dresses in the same size, yet one was way too tight, while the other fit perfectly. Be warned, when the description says mini dress, they mean it. The short dresses are extremely short, but this can be fixed by ordering a size up, as the fabric is stretchy and flattering.
The cropped sweatshirts are cute, but should also be ordered a size up or at risk of being really short. Amy ordered a cropped sweatshirt in size 2 but a 4 or 6 would have fit better. A general tip with this store: Avoid white because it will be see-through. Overall, the clothes are inexpensive and you get what you pay for. There will always be a sale, so don’t shop on days when the sale is only 30 percent off because a 40 percent off sale invariably comes two-three times a month. The best items to order are dresses and basic tanks, tees and comfy shorts.
SHOWPO: 3/5
Showpo is a slightly pricier option, ranging from $30 to $60 per item, but this Australian boutique has a wide range of outfits and sizes, featuring petite and plus size models wearing the same items side by side.
But be careful when ordering knit sweaters. Even though they are cute, they stretch out and the material becomes rough after a wash or two. Showpo also has decent prom dress options that are good quality and cheaper than other stores with similar dresses. Amy ordered a maroon two piece dress for $60 and it fit really well, along with a maxi black off-the-shoulder dress that was made of high quality material and worth the $50.
Showpo’s blouses and shirts are also worth their price. Amy bought a black blouse and it looks just like the photo and fits true to size. There are occasional sales, and Showpo will notify people who are subscribed to their email newsletters when these sales are. There are not as many options as PrettyLittleThing, but the quality of clothing is arguably better.
We would recommend Showpo’s semi formal dresses or rompers, blouses and shirts.
FOREVER 21: 3.5/5
There are so many options on the Forever 21 website that you could probably find anything you would ever want — even a jacket that makes you look like an actual Christmas tree. And ordering online is much better than going in-store because you can avoid the mess and Black Friday-like chaos the store faces everyday.
The quality can be hit-or-miss but it’s more often a hit, and the clothes generally range from $10 to $30. Forever 21 also has a wide variety of jewelry that looks more expensive than it is (Pro-tip: Paint clear nail polish on metal jewelry so it doesn’t rust).
Summer clothes on the site are cuter than the winter clothes, but be careful when ordering light colors because they can end up being see-through. Also, always read reviews before ordering, since the quality can vary greatly between items. In general, if you have time to sift through many products, there are many deals and steals. Forever 21 is best for ordering tops, jackets, sweatshirts, basics, jewelry and accessories.
URBAN OUTFITTERS: 4.5/5
Urban Outfitters offers trendy clothing that all your favorite influencers are currently wearing. It’s definitely more expensive, ranging from $20 to $80 per item, but that also means you don’t have to worry about poor quality. Because everything is so trendy, you’ll probably see 10 other people wearing the same thing, but you will still look great.
Watch out for sales, and order items during their off-season (buy winter clothes in the summer and vice versa). Also, reviews are helpful for combatting sizing issues. No matter your gender, check out the men’s section for graphic tees and sweatshirts because they are cheaper than women’s, and the oversized look is very in right now. The best things to order are fluffy jackets, plaid pants, graphic tees and sweatshirts.
RANK (best to worst)
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Urban Outfitters
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PrettyLittleThing
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Forever 21
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Showpo