Top 10 Fashion Brands For College Students On A Budget
Looking to dress trendy but on a budget? These are the top budget-friendly stores that won’t break the bank and give you a variety of styles to choose from!
1. H&M
What brand do you see in every mall? If you said H&M, you were right! H&M is a super affordable store for basics and trendy clothing. They have an outfit for every occasion! From blazers to swimsuits and everything in between. H&M is the perfect store for college students on a budget! They have tank tops for $5 and always have a big clearance section! Here is a tip: sign up for UNiDays and get an extra 10% off on your purchase at H&M with your student ID! H&M also has a loyalty program where you can get a percentage off your first purchase and gain points to get more money off later on! It’s a good deal for an already budget-friendly shop.
2. Forever21
If you weren’t thinking H&M, you were definitely thinking Forever21. The second shop is in every mall! Forever21 has great pieces for every college student’s wardrobe. From going out outfits, casual wear, or just cheap accessories, Forever21 is a one-stop-shop. They also have a UNiDays offer so you can get some good deals on top of your budget-friendly finds! Forever21 has affordable prices and more unique pieces than other retailers. You will definitely be able to find something trendy at this store and for almost any event!
3. ZARA
Zara can be on the pricey side, but they do have many budget-friendly pieces! This is another common shop in the mall! Zara’s are not as prominent as H&M and Forever21 but they also have a website with sometimes better deals than in stores! If you want clothes that look more sophisticated and expensive, then Zara is the place for you. Zara is known for its unique shapes, textures, and colors of clothing. If you want to stand out, this is definitely a good alternative to high-end designers. Zara carries a variety of clothing, from t-shirts and jeans to business wear. Here is a budget tip: Zara often holds sales at the end of each season, so be on the lookout for the deals at the end of the season!
4. ASOS
Another website that can be slightly pricier, but has good deals is ASOS! An online-only shop but with good sales and lots of student-only offers! If you sign up on their website, students get 10% off everything! They also have deals for first-time purchases such as 20% off $50 or more. If you apply the online deals, you can find some more expensive pieces for a great price. They also have a large online clearance. They have clothes for everyone on their site and clothes for many occasions. You can find super unique clothing such as bright two-piece outfits or a fun patterned coat that everyone else will want! ASOS has lots of trendy, budget-friendly pieces that will compliment your wardrobe!
5. PrettyLittleThing
This website is a must-visit for going out outfits! They have so many styles to choose from and everything is categorized by color! This makes it so easy to shop online and decide what style you are going for or what color you want to go with. They always have affordable deals and clothing for every body type such as plus, tall and petite! PrettyLittleThing is also partnered with UNiDays so you can stack the discounts with a student discount!
6. Uniqlo
This shop is a staple for anyone looking for basics or fun graphic tees. Uniqlo is known to collab with many licensed artists to make nostalgic graphic tees! From Disney tees to pop art artist hoodies, they have fun graphics that will stir up a conversation. They are also an affordable company with lots of online deals if there isn’t one near you! They have a student discount but it is on a temporary hold, so I recommend signing up for their first-time offer and receiving their emails for upcoming sales.
7. Buffalo Exchange
A fun and trendy alternative to thrifting! Buffalo Exchange has employees that handpick the products that are brought in. They are mostly vintage which allows you to get a name-brand piece for half the price! They focus on trendy outfits and always have inspirational mannequins on display. Buffalo Exchange is a great way to save money on retro and one-of-a-kind items! I definitely recommend spending a good chunk of time sorting through the racks. You never know what gem you will find next!
8. American Eagle
An iconic store that has been around for many years! Known for their denim, American Eagle is a great budget-friendly store for college students. They have jeans for many sizes and often have great sales online and in-store. If you are willing to pay a little more for quality but not break the bank, American Eagle is a great shop for that. They have the softest t-shirt, literally branded as “Soft and Sexy” shirts! They almost always have a good sale going on and an even better clearance section!
9. Aerie
The sister brand of American Eagle is Aerie! For every college student, loungewear is a necessity! Aerie has lots of bralettes, undies and loungewear at a good price. They are truly quality pieces that last and are so cozy you feel like you are in pajamas all day. They also sell a variety of swimsuits for different styles and body types! Both Aerie and American Eagle are teamed up with UNiDays so you can get your student discount!
10. Thrift Stores
Another good option is your local thrift stores. Many large retailers send their old products to the thrift store so you can definitely find new pieces for a much cheaper price. Thrift stores also are a fun opportunity to find unique things that other people won’t have! Thrift stores are usually a fraction of what you will pay at a retail store and you can still find trendy pieces! It is also a fun experience to sort through the clothes to find the best deals and items!
