So, cards on the table, I participate in the Shopbop widget program for bloggers, which means I host a Shopbop widget in my sidebar, and occasionally promote their sales as per our agreement.
Plus I shop there. At first I didn’t want to, because they were the reason Girlshop went out of business in the early 2000’s (show of hands who remembers Girlshop?? OMG I miss it so much!)…but Shopbop is an awesome, comprehensive destination for brand-name merchandise, with free shipping (2-day shipping if you’re an Amazon Prime member) to boot.
But since they sell brands, a lot of their merchandise is pricey. They sell Badgley Mischka and Zac Posen, for goodness’ sakes. Totally beyond the price range of the budget-conscious fashionista.
So I wanted to put together a list of the brands I actually DO buy on Shopbop (and don’t just drool about). There are some great, affordable finds on there…if you’re willing to look, and during a sale you can snag them up for some great prices. This blog is all about chic steals, after all! Here are some of my favorite affordable brands:
(And, I also included some brands from Shopbop that I have bought which do not fall into the affordable category IMHO, designated with an asterisk* after their names.)
1 – dRa (clothing)
A line where the styles are unique and unusual – though prices are beginning to climb.
2 – Gorjana (jewelry)
Beautiful, delicate, cool jewelry, most for less than $65. I love the unique designs and how pretty they are. I also have a handbag by Gorjana that I used daily for a year and half…that held up great and I would get compliments on. Love it!
3 – endless rose (clothing)
A line that often features embellished pieces and beautiful detailing for an affordable price.
4 – Shashi (jewelry)
I’m on a fine, delicate kick when it comes to jewelry. My Solitaire Ring, Bar Earrings, and Solitaire necklace are all from Shashi.
5 – Free People
Though yes, you can get Free People from their eponymous stores, if you buy through Shopbop you get free shipping AND take advantage of lucrative sales. I picked up a pretty strappy bra for $26 and a draped ombre sweater for $35 that I just wear to death.
6 – Blank Denim (skinny jeans)*
Never thought I’d pay $88 for a pair of jeans, but these are worth all that and more. I used to just buy jeans from Forever 21 and Old Navy. $29.99-$36.99. Thought I was getting a deal. My butt looked fat in them. The jeans wore out quickly. After 1 wash they were horribly stretched. If I didn’t wash them they started to smell…funky…fast. While I was wearing them by the end of the day they would literally have stretched out and be sagging around my rear. Every single pair I eventually gave away to Goodwilll…because they weren’t worth it. I probably spent $200 buying those junky jeans over the years. NO MORE. Since I began buying Blank denim (i own the Skinny jeans in Rub a Dub Dub, gray, and the destroyed boyfriend jeans), I have not bought any other denim. I don’t need to! They are beautifully soft and velvety, keep their shape no matter how long or how many days I wear them, wash and dry perfectly…flatter my curves, cover my ankles (I’m prudish like that)…and are an all-out AMAZING value for the money. Many reviewers say they are like the higher prices 7 for All Mankind luxury denim but for a mall price point, and I completely agree.
7 – JOA (clothing)
My favoritest neoprene sweatshirt is by JOA, as well as my summery striped skirt and crop top combo. Very affordable and fashionable, though skirt length and design I’ve found hit and miss. Items aren’t lined and fabrics are sometimes low-quality, but the cuts are unique and fun. Strangely, I’ve spotted JOA in Target lately, so it looks like they’re expanding their reach.
8 – Kate Spade New York (jewelry and homewares)
Since the Kate Spade brand has expanded to include lifestyle items, I’ve found that the homewares category (like notebooks! pens! candles!) is surprisingly affordable and utterly chic. Some jewelry is, too, around the $35 price point – and every time I wear my Kate Spade earrings I receive a compliment. Seriously – EVERY.TIME.
Stack Attack Stackable Ring Set
9 – Alexander Wang T (Long-Sleeved Pocket Shirts)
Draped, loose, and chic, this is another “I can’t believe I paid this much for this but I wear it so much it kinda doesn’t matter” item. I do the half-tuck thing into the above skinny jeans for the weekend days, tuck into a high-waisted skirt at the office. They span the line of casual and dressy effortlessly.
Classic Long Sleeve Pocket Tee
10 – rag & bone/JEAN (long-sleeved shirts)
Never thought I would pay $65 for a long-sleeved shirt (on sale)…but that was probably the best $65 I spent. Amazingly soft, with a high crew-neck (so appropriate for the office too)…a little sheer if you wear a contrasting bra underneath but opaque if you choose flesh-colored,,,hugs in all the right places and skims elsewhere…long enough to cover muffin tops and hip bulges, doesn’t cling like Three Dots tees (don’t even get me started on the inappropriate Spandex content in those)…sleeves super long so they bunch at the wrists so my wrists don’t look absurdly mantis-like sticking out of the sleeves…I can’t stop singing this shirt’s praises. I wish I’d bought 6 of them, I love them so much. I wish they’d make them again. I wish they’d go on sale before other people snap them up. I wish for so much.
11 – Rebecca Minkoff (jewelry)
Though the clothing can get pricey, I have snagged an absolutely beautiful jacket (ombre, power shoulders, cropped, 80’s-style, Hawaiian-print…say that 10 times fast!) ofr around $100. But it’s the jewelry I wanted to mention here: gorgeous pieces with a bit of an edge. I actually own a surprising number of pieces because it’s THAT GOOD.
12 – Steven by Steve Madden (shoes)
Steven offers some great styles for $130 or less. (Especially if you can grab then on sale – then you can score something pretty for around $60!) They resemble the higher-end line and still last like a boss. A GIRLBOSS.
Are there any (somewhat) pricey brands that are your closet staples? Do tell – I’d love to discover more!
xo
Carly
