Hey girl, have you heard of Cider? If you love staying on top of the latest fashion trends without spending a fortune, this online boutique is about to become your new obsession. Cider has blown up in popularity over the last few years thanks to their stylish, affordable clothes and lightning-fast shipping. Seriously, I place an order and it‘s at my door like magic in 2 days!
As a fashion-lover who‘s always browsing for my next great find, I totally get the appeal of Cider‘s business model. They drop hundreds of new items every week, with most pieces ringing in at under $50. The constant newness and unbeatable prices trigger that part of my brain that loves instant gratification. And I‘m clearly not alone – Cider did over $200 million in revenue last year and has built a cult following of over 2 million mostly Gen Z customers!
But here‘s the thing – as much as I adore Cider, sometimes I crave a little variety in my online shopping routine. Plus, since Cider is still a relatively new player in the e-commerce space, I figured there had to be other hidden gems out there with a similar vibe.
So I went down a rabbit hole scouring the internet for the best stores like Cider. After many hours of "research" (okay fine, online shopping), I‘m excited to share my finds with you! These shops all offer the trifecta of trendy styles, budget-friendly prices, and fast shipping that make Cider so darn addicting.
1. SHEIN
No list of affordable online fashion retailers would be complete without SHEIN. I‘m willing to bet you‘ve seen their ads all over your social media feeds. SHEIN is a global e-commerce powerhouse, raking in over $10 billion in sales last year!
What makes SHEIN so popular is the sheer volume of styles they offer at rock-bottom prices. I‘m talking $5 tank tops, $10 dresses, you get the idea. While Cider‘s aesthetic is a bit more curated and vintage-inspired, SHEIN really runs the gamut from basic tees to club-ready mini dresses to Halloween costumes. The only downside is that with thousands of new items added daily, the quality can definitely be hit or miss.
2. Lulus
If you‘re looking for a perfect cocktail dress or a cute brunch ‘fit, Lulus is your girl. This California-based company gives me major "cool girl" energy. Their dresses, jumpsuits and two-piece sets are flirty without being too revealing, and the prices are similar to what you‘d find at Cider (most in the $30-100 range).
One thing I love about Lulus is that they carry a range of brands in addition to their own line, so you can discover new designers. I also appreciate that their models represent a variety of body types, which helps me envision how something will look on me. Shipping is free over $50 and easy returns are free too!
3. Princess Polly
With a name like Princess Polly, you know this Australian brand isn‘t taking itself too seriously. The vibe is young, playful and a little bit edgy. Imagine lots of cut-out details, fun prints, and sassy graphic tees. Most items fall between $30-80 so a smidge pricier than Cider but not quite ASOS level.
Princess Polly has a huge selection of dresses that are perfect for festivals, formals, or just a night out with the girls. I also love their matching sets which make it SO easy to put together a ‘gram-worthy look. Shipping to the US is free over $50.
4. Nasty Gal
Don‘t let the name fool you, Nasty Gal is all about serving unapologetic, in-your-face style. The brand started as an eBay vintage shop but has evolved into a go-to for fashion risk-takers. If you‘re into bold animal prints, racy cut-outs, and faux leather everything, you‘ve gotta check them out.
For me, Nasty Gal is where I turn when I want an outfit that will turn heads on a night out. Their bodycon dresses and jumpsuits hug every curve just right. Prices are on the lower end, similar to what you‘d find at Forever 21 or Cider. Students get a 55% discount, which is amazing! The only thing to note is that returns aren‘t free.
5. Boohoo
Boohoo is another ultra-fast fashion brand out of the UK that doesn‘t shy away from trends. In fact, they‘re often one of the first places I see a new style pop up because they release up to 100 new items daily. Whew, talk about keeping my wardrobe fresh! With most pieces under $50, Boohoo makes it easy to test out a daring look without going broke.
I have to shout out Boohoo‘s inclusive sizing – they carry straight and plus sizes up to 24. They also have maternity and petite lines. Since the prices are so good, I usually order a few sizes to make sure I find the right fit. Returns are free, which I really appreciate.
6. Forever 21
Forever 21 walked so Cider and all these other trendy e-tailers could run! Seriously, they‘ve been slinging stylish clothes at jaw-dropping prices since the ‘90s. While the mall stores have sadly shuttered, the website is still poppin‘ off. You can easily fill your cart with a whole new look for under $100.
I love Forever 21 for basics like tees, tanks and bike shorts but also statement pieces from their collab lines with celebs like Hailey Bieber. The jeans and outerwear are also super affordable compared to other fast fashion brands. Forever 21 is the ultimate one stop shop IMO.
7. ASOS
Another old school player in the online fashion game, ASOS just keeps getting better with age. This British brand serves up thousands of styles aimed at fashion-loving 20-somethings. In addition to their in-house ASOS Design line, they carry over 850 other brands at various price points. It‘s like a virtual high street!
I find myself browsing ASOS not only for clothes but shoes, accessories, and beauty products too. Basically my entire look can be sourced here. The website has tons of helpful inspo photos and videos so I can see how pieces are styled IRL. With free shipping over $50 and a 10% student discount, my ASOS addiction isn‘t going anywhere.
8. PrettyLittleThing
PrettyLittleThing has become the unofficial uniform of cool girls and influencers around the world. This UK-based brand is fearless when it comes to experimenting with trends, from neon hues to barely-there cut out details. The prices are extremely competitive, on par or even cheaper than what you‘d find at Cider.
I can always count on PLT for a sexy going out look or a head-turning festival ‘fit. Their swimwear and lingerie is also super cute if you‘re looking to heat up your hot girl summer. I will say the quality can be iffy, especially on trendier pieces. But with such affordable prices and easy (free!) returns, I‘m willing to take the gamble.
9. Missguided
Also hailing from the UK, Missguided is another go-to for fashion girls on a budget. What I love about this brand is that they offer a nice balance of basics and trend-driven pieces. You can pick up a pack of cotton thongs and a sexy cut-out dress in the same order. Goals!
Missguided has really stepped up their game when it comes to inclusive sizing too. Almost everything comes in straight, petite and plus size options up to a US 20. Oh, and I can‘t forget to mention the bomb denim selection – my Missguided jeans are some of my most worn pieces! Def watch out for sales because you can score up to 80% off.
10. Tobi
As a Cali girl myself, I had to show some love to Tobi. This LA-based brand started as a vintage shop and you can still see those flirty, retro vibes in the current collections. Think ruffled mini dresses, delicate floral prints, and lots of lace. The prices are a bit higher than Cider, around $50-100 for most pieces.
What sets Tobi apart for me is the quality – items feel well-made and hold up wear after wear. I also love the dreamy campaign images that show the clothes in action. Makes me wanna book a vacay ASAP! Tobi has killer sales pretty much every week, so I always check for promo codes before ordering.
11. Zaful
Zaful gives me major wanderlust vibes – their collections are basically a mood board for my next tropical getaway. This China-based brand is all about easy, breezy fashion at tempting prices, with lots of items in the $10-30 range.
While Zaful carries all the standard categories like tops, bottoms, and dresses, they really shine in the swimwear department. Imagine endless options of bikinis, one-pieces and cover-ups that look straight out of an influencer‘s Tulum pic. Bonus points for the inclusive size range that goes up to a 4XL.
12. Romwe
Romwe is another hidden gem out of China that I discovered while scouring for Cider alternatives. This brand is Gen Z catnip, with a website full of punchy graphics, trendy takes on Y2K and fairy grunge styles, and prices that make fast fashion look expensive. Seriously, dresses start at like $7!
I‘ve picked up some of my fave graphic tees and 90s inspired slip dresses from Romwe. Sure, I don‘t expect these pieces to last forever at that price point. But they‘re perfect for testing out a trend or wearing for one season. Romwe offers free returns too which is super clutch.
13. Storets
My inner sophisticate loves browsing Storets for elevated basics and feminine dresses that I can wear to the office or out for a nice dinner. This up-and-coming brand has a more minimalist, grown-up aesthetic compared to other stores on this list, but without the crazy high price tags. Think $40-150.
What I love about Storets is that the pieces feel modern but wearable – nothing too wild or trendy. The quality and fit is also a huge step up from what I‘ve experienced with some other fast fashion brands. If Zara and Cider had a baby, it would be Storets. Chic!
Well dolls, that concludes my master list of stores similar to Cider for affordable online shopping. I had so much fun "researching" this post and dropping entirely too much money in the process! I hope this gives you some fresh ideas for where to snag your next cute ‘fit on a budget.
And while there‘s no denying the thrill of having a package full of trendy new pieces show up at your door, let‘s remember to be intentional with our purchases too. Fast fashion isn‘t going anywhere – the market is set to be worth a whopping $200 billion globally by 2030! But we can all do our part to shop more mindfully and rock what we buy for multiple seasons.
I wanna know – have you shopped at any of these Cider-esque stores? What did you think? Are there any other sites I need to check out for my next budget-friendly fashion haul? Drop your thoughts below and let‘s chat!
Until next time, stay stylish!
XO
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