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17 Best Cheap Clothing Brands and Online Sites That Aren't Fast Fashion

Finally, high quality, affordable clothes that won't fall apart!

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The Good Housekeeping Institute is known for helping you find the best products for the best price. Just because something is affordable doesn't mean it's the best deal — cheap products that immediately fall apart will cost you more in the long run. Our experts in the Textiles Lab have found the best affordable pieces that'll last season to season as cheap clothing brands are not all created equal.

Also, affordable clothing doesn't have to mean "fast fashion," which refers to the overproduction of clothes that typically just end up in a landfill. The best way to reduce the damaging environmental impact of the fashion industry is to keep your clothes year after year, avoid over buying and shop mainly secondhand — it's also the best way to get your favorite brands at a fraction of the cost! To clean out your closet in an eco-friendly way, try to either sell the items on a resale site, give them away to your friends, recycle them or donate to a reputable local charity.

Avoid spending your whole paycheck on wardrobe staples and new styles with the best cheap clothing brands and sites to shop in 2021:

Best Cheap Clothing Brand on Amazon

Daily Ritual Women's Jersey Standard-Fit Ballet-Back T-Shirt Dress

Women's Jersey Standard-Fit Ballet-Back T-Shirt Dress
Credit: Daily Ritual

Pros

  • Convenient shopping experience
  • Excellent return policies
  • Thousands of rave online reviews

Cons

  • Some reviewers find the fabric "clingy"

With excellent return policies, Amazon fashion brands make it easy and convenient to shop affordably and quickly. Daily Ritual has a wide variety of dresses, shirts, skirts and more to fill a whole wardrobe. This jersey T-shirt dress has over 2,000 rave reviews and is available in 10 stylish shades. Reviewers say this is the ultimate versatile summer dress, easy to style up or down.

Best Cheap Clothing Brand for Basics

Uniqlo Supima Cotton V-Neck Short Sleeve T-Shirt

Supima Cotton V-Neck Short Sleeve T-Shirt
Credit: Uniqlo

Pros

  • Super soft materials
  • Simple, flattering silhouettes
  • XXS-XXL size range

Cons

  • Fewer bold, colorful options

Every stylish shopper knows classic basics are the key to any functional wardrobe. Uniqlo has soft tees, tanks, socks, bralettes and undies that won't break the bank. They also offer trendier pieces that are all low-priced and easy to style. This ultra soft Supima cotton V-neck tee starts at just $15 in sizes XXS-XXL and seven shade options.

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Best Professional Cheap Clothing Brand

H&M Conscious Pull-on Lyocell-blend Pants

Pull-on Lyocell-blend Pants
Now 24% Off
Credit: H&M

Pros

  • Uses sustainable materials
  • Most items are under $50
  • Work place appropriate styles

Cons

  • The sustainable collection doesn't have as many options as the rest of the site

While H&M is generally affordable, try the H&M Conscious collection for options that are both low cost and made with more sustainable materials. Unlike some pricey sustainable collections, most of the items are under $50. There are many professional styles available including blazers, trousers, and these sleek lyocell trousers.

Best Cheap Denim Clothing Brand

Levi's Secondhand 721 High Rise Skinny Women's Jeans

721 High Rise Skinny Women's Jeans
Credit: Levi's

Pros

  • Accepts returns and exchanges
  • Same popular Levi's designs at a discount

Cons

  • More limited size options

Levi's jeans are known for being long lasting and a quality investment with a higher price tag. Levi's recently launched their own resale site with a wide variety of popular styles available at a much lower price point. Unlike most resale sites, Levi's Secondhand accepts returns and exchanges.

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Best Cheap Formal Clothing Brand

Rent the Runway Ada Gown

Ada Gown
Credit: Rent the Runway

Pros

  • Much more affordable than buying a new outfit
  • Membership options
  • Easy to use platform, according to testers

Cons

  • Styles sell out, so reserve far in advance

For a special occasion like a wedding or black tie event, avoid shelling out hundreds of dollars on a dress you'll only wear once by using Rent the Runway instead — you can rent designer dresses and accessories for either four or eight days. RTR also offers memberships where you can choose a certain number of items each month that'll be shipped directly to your door.

Best Cheap Clothing Brand for Designer Bags

Tory Burch Ponyhair Shoulder Bag

Ponyhair Shoulder Bag
Credit: Tory Burch

Pros

  • Huge range of designer options
  • Beautiful packaging
  • Massive discounts than if purchased new

Cons

  • Not all items are returnable

If designer brands call your name but your wallet says no, try The Real Real, a resale site specifically for designer goods. There are clothing items and jewelry, but the bag selection is the best. Current available designers include Tory Burch, Chanel, Prada, Gucci, Michael Kors and many more. Because The Real Real verifies each bag's authenticity, you won't be duped by a knock-off!

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Best Trendy Cheap Clothing Brand

A New Day Women's Sleeveless Hem Knit Dress

Women's Sleeveless Hem Knit Dress
Credit: Target

Pros

  • Convenient store options
  • Designer collaborations
  • Petite and plus sizing available

Cons

    Many head to Target for groceries and home decor, but on your next trip, check out the fashion section for great deals on trendy pieces. Target has also done amazing collaborations with high end designers such as LoveShackFancy, Philip Lim and Christopher John Rogers, offering designer pieces at an affordable price point. Plus, they have great petite and plus options too.

    Best Cheap Clothing Brand for Families

    Old Navy Printed Sleeveless Soft-Knit Cross-back Romper for Girls

    Printed Sleeveless Soft-Knit Cross-back Romper for Girls
    Credit: Old Navy

    Pros

    • Great adult and children options
    • Gender neutral section
    • Reviewers are impressed at the trendy selection

    Cons

    Avoid having to head to multiple stores or sites to get everything you need for the whole family with Old Navy. This brand has women, men, children, toddlers, babies, maternity, and gender neutral sections. Reviewers rave that the affordable children's clothes are stylish and comfy and temper-tantrum free!

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    Best Cheap Resale Site for Favorite Brands

    Kate Spade Viscose A Line Skirt

    Viscose A Line Skirt
    Credit: Poshmark

    Pros

    • Tons of styles from popular brands
    • Filter by sizes
    • Sell your own clothes on the same site

    Cons

    • Shipping fees may apply

    Poshmark is the ideal resale site to find your favorite brands at a major discount. There are tons of available styles from popular brands like Kate Spade, Lululemon, Free People and more. The site makes it easy to search by brand and even filter by size. Just note that there's usually a small shipping fee depending on the weight of the item.

    Best Personalized Cheap Clothing Brand

    BabyKDesigns Custom Tank Top

    Custom Tank Top
    Credit: Etsy

    Pros

    • Vintage and customizable options
    • Personalize clothing items easily
    • Ideal for bachelorette parties, family reunions and other group activites

    Cons

    • Return policy depends on the seller

    Etsy is a platform where shops offer vintage or custom clothes and home goods. Personalized tops are some of the most popular items on Etsy. With the option to customize the shirt style, text, font and color, you have complete creative control to design your own masterpiece. At just $24 for a customized piece, this is a total steal too.

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    Best Cheap Clothing Brand for Activewear

    Z by Zella High Waisted Printed Leggings

    High Waisted Printed Leggings
    Credit: Z by Zella

    Pros

    • Feature top tested brands
    • Excellent reviews from shoppers
    • Popular brands available for less

    Cons

    • Less of a selection compared to Nordstrom

    Nordstrom Rack is a great site to shop designer goods at a discount. Although the selection isn't as consistent as the Nordstrom site, Nordstrom Rack has a surprisingly robust activewear section with top tested brands like Z By Zella, Nike and Adidas. Plus, the site features reviews and comments from tons of shoppers.

    Best Cheap Resale Site for Unique Finds

    Depop Outoflove Gold Red Cherry Huggies

    Outoflove Gold Red Cherry Huggies
    Now 37% Off
    Credit: outoflove

    Pros

    • Can follow certain resellers
    • Trendy, unique finds
    • Easy to filter by your size

    Cons

    • Shipping fees

    Depop is a resale site popular among Gen Z teenagers for having unique, trendy finds. You can search by brand or keyword and then filter by size when shopping for clothes or shoes. Pro tip: Depop lets you follow your favorite resellers, so it's easy to keep up with new styles available.

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    Best Cheap Swimwear Brand

    CUPSHE Women Falbala High-waisted Bikini Set

    Women Falbala High-waisted Bikini Set
    Now 11% Off
    Credit: Cupshe

    Pros

    • Thousands of rave online reviews
    • Compressive, flattering material
    • Supportive tops

    Cons

    • Follow the care label instructions closely

    Many quality swimwear brands can cost well over $100, but Cupshe suits have thousands of rave reviews and cost under $30. Reviewers love the thick, compressive material, saying it's "extremely flattering" and "looks so pretty on." Available in 19 shades, this high waisted ruffle bikini set has a built-in bra and adjustable straps for excellent support up top.

    Best Cheap Jewelry Brand

    Madewell Puffed Small Hoop Earrings

    Puffed Small Hoop Earrings
    Credit: Madewell

    Pros

    • Mimic much pricier styles for under $25
    • Everyday and statement pieces
    • Also has an excellent denim selection

    Cons

    • Sterling silver is more malleable than other metals

    For everyday and statement pieces alike, Madewell's jewelry section has tons of hidden gems. While the brand's more popular for their denim shop, Madewell fans love the brand's hoops. With trendy yet wearable necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings, you're sure to find a style (or many!) that you love.

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    Best Plus Size Cheap Clothing Brand

    Universal Standard Elbe Stretch Poplin Shirt

    Elbe Stretch Poplin Shirt
    Credit: Universal Standard

    Pros

    • Sizes 00-40 available for every item
    • High quality material
    • Range of items from activewear to professional outfits

    Cons

    • Bit pricier than other brands

    When it comes to size inclusivity, no brand is more successful than Universal Standard. The brand offers sizes 00-40 in all of their styles, so plus size shoppers aren't left with a smaller shopping section. Although a bit pricier than other brands, reviewers are impressed with the high quality for the reasonable price and especially love the option to see each garment on a model similar to their body type.

    Best Cheap Footwear Brand

    Kelly & Katie Gia Sneaker

    Gia Sneaker
    Credit: Kelly & Katie

    Pros

    • Huge sale section
    • Tons of promotions online and in store
    • Top brands on sale

    Cons

    • Shipping costs for orders under $50

    Any type of footwear from sneakers to heels can be found for an affordable price at DSW. The sale section online and in stores is unmatched with huge markdowns consistently. These stylish, comfy sneakers from Kelly&Katie are under $25. Reviewers recommend signing up for emails to receive even more discounts.

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    Best Cheap Clothing Brand for Intimates

    Aerie Wild Side Lace Padded Plunge Bralette

    Wild Side Lace Padded Plunge Bralette

    Pros

    • Top performer in latest bralette test
    • Under $50 options
    • Lace styles are especially popular

    Cons

    • Only up to cup size DD

    Acing our evaluations in our latest bralette test, Aerie bralettes were popular for being supportive and comfortable while also feeling sexy too. With options ranging from $10-50, there are styles you and your wallet will love. Testers especially loved the brand's padded lace bralettes because they didn't flatten them out and were cute enough to peak out from sweaters or tops.

    Headshot of Emma Seymour
    Emma Seymour
    Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Associate Director

    Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance. 

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