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Stores Like Fashion Nova

Sophie Diego

Fashion Nova: the clothing boutique that coined the term “insta-baddie.” From skin-tight latex to cheeky biker shorts, this core aesthetic has been dominated by those blessed with perfect bods. 

Kim K, the Jenners, and Anna Nystrom are considered the top dogs in popularizing this iconic look, and if you consider yourself an Instagram addict, you’re probably wondering where they get their fits from.

While some frequent high-end designers like Balenciaga and Bottega Veneta, others resort to more affordable options. Enter Fashion Nova, a company at the helm of sexifying Instagram for less.

Known for their low prices, this online brand has over 20.9 million Instagram followers. Naturally, other e-boutiques have copied the Fashion Nova algorithm in hopes of making it big on social media. So with that in mind, what are your options?

Today, we’re counting down 14 stores like Fashion Nova that you should definitely check out. Take this as a sign to prep your Instagram feed.

Overview of Fashion Nova

Los Angeles is considered by some the long-lost capital of fashion’s main four. If you were to ask a Californian native, they’d typically reference high-end designers like Gucci and Prada as the bread and butter of Hollywood style.

On the other hand, some point to consignment shops, thrift stores, and Santee Alley as the true heartbeat of L.A fashion. 

Naturally, there had to be somebody who would marry these two aesthetics together. In 2006, CEO Richard Saghian decided to combine the best of both worlds to create Fashion Nova.

High-class but wallet-friendly, this Californian-based boutique offers clubwear, casual clothing, and fancy fits for its Insta-baddie clientele. Today, they own over five stores across the state.

Before we turn to other brands, let’s review some of Fashion Nova’s highlights:

Highlights

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How We Chose the Best Stores Like Fashion Nova

Fashion Nova is absolutely killing it on Instagram. With over 20.9 million followers under its belt, I think it’s safe to say that FN is definitely recognizable as a brand.

I’m sure its success sparks some curiosity. What are some things that make this million-dollar boutique an online powerhouse?

Before we list off some stores like Fashion Nova, we need to discuss what they excel in. Of course, no brand is entirely perfect, as we’re sure that they lack in some areas as well. From price to diversity, we’ll briefly touch on a few key areas worth considering the next time you shop.

Price

For most, Fashion Nova is their plan B. Low in cost and widely accessible, it’s the go-to boutique if you can’t afford luxury brands. As a head’s up, you’re looking at a price range of about $0.98 to $90 for an accessory or garment. 

It’s definitely cost-effective for those looking to change up their wardrobe compared to designer labels like Dior and Chanel. 

Of course, stores like Fashion Nova will vary in terms of price, but you can take care knowing that the ones we’ll feature will never go above $1,000.

Style

As we mentioned before, Fashion Nova is at the helm of Insta-baddie style. Known for producing skin-tight silhouettes and scandalous cut-offs, it’s the type of brand to opt for if you’re looking to incite jealousy in your ex. Stores like Fashion Nova will try to cater to this aesthetic by featuring the same type of clothing.

Quality

According to hundreds of reviews online, Fashion Nova gets a B+ in quality. Their clothing seems to be decently made in terms of material and construction. Of course, there are many negative comments that state otherwise, but quality is always subjective.

Unfortunately, the boutique gets an F in sustainability and company transparency, as they don’t provide sufficient information on their website. 

In better news, some stores like Fashion Nova implement a few eco-friendly initiatives within their manufacturing practices. This may include using recyclable materials or biodegradable packaging in place of plastic.

Selection

Fashion Nova is home to hundreds of Instagram-friendly fits. They currently offer dresses, jeans, matching sets, shoes, lingerie, coats, and more.

Naturally, it’s common for fast fashion boutiques to carry a large inventory to appeal to a broader demographic. Stores like Fashion Nova will provide the same amount of options.

Convenience 

Fast fashion is known for being speedy, affordable, and widely accessible. Fashion Nova leads with the same amount of convenience, which is noted in its prices, fast shipping times, and mobile app.

While they own some in-store locations, this boutique attributes most of its success to online purchases. Plus, their shops are only located in Southern California.

Missguided, Shein, and other stores like Fashion Nova will typically offer the same amount of convenience. Affordable and reasonably accessible, you can definitely avoid that snooty exclusivity of most designer brands.

Diversity & Inclusion

Regarding diversity and inclusion, Fashion Nova is usually met with a shrug. To the brand’s credit, they do provide a large array of sizes ranging from XS to 3XL.

Unfortunately, it seems off-putting that the brand doesn’t feature a more diverse cast of models for its product photos. You’ll typically see thin, curvaceous women wearing their fits on their website.

We want brands that do more in terms of body positivity and diversity. In encouraging news, some stores like Fashion Nova are making a change. We’ll be sure to highlight these companies moving forward.

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14 Best Stores Like Fashion Nova

With that out of the way, let’s highlight 14 of the best stores like Fashion Nova currently on the market! From Nasty Gal to Showpo, I’m sure you’ll find a brand that speaks to your Insta-baddie needs.

#1 – Missguided

Pretty in pink and alluring in silhouette, Missguided believes that Insta-baddie fashion can be flirtatious, light, and playful. It’s an aesthetic commonly worn by the likes of Hilary Duff, Gabi DeMartino, and Selena Gomez. With a star-studded background like this, we can definitely say that this boutique is an Instagram hot spot.

Missguided was founded in 2009 by visionary Nitin Passi in New York City. Little did he know that he was creating a fashion empire at the time. 

Missguided offers a wide selection of fashionable fits, ranging from teddy coats to loungewear.

They’re typically known for producing body-con dresses, tops, and pants, which makes them one of the many online clothing stores like Fashion Nova. Besides that, what makes them pop as a brand? We’ll provide a quick checklist down below:

#2 – Nasty Gal

Nasty Gal, a company frequented by the likes of Hailee Steinfeld and Camila Cabello, humbly started off in a San Francisco apartment jam-packed with vintage clothing.

What began as an eBay side hustle quickly grew into an Instagram-famous brand, as they count over 4.8 million followers. 

Since its debut in 2006, Nasty Gal has never wavered from its cool, urban-chic aesthetic. They’re definitely at the forefront of affordable vintage fashion, aside from thrifting, of course. 

Compared to other stores like Fashion Nova, Nasty Gal focuses on looser silhouettes. Their take on Insta-baddie is quite literal, as the brand likes to define it as rebellious, teenage-like, and widely expressive. It’s most notably shown through its selection of dresses, tops, accessories, and shoes. 

So, how do they rank in terms of price, style, quality, selection, convenience, and inclusion? Well, let’s find out!

#3 – Windsor

Your Cinderella moment isn’t just exclusive to the 1950’s blue dress. For some, it’s the super curvaceous satin slip or the off-shoulder bustier. No matter your style preferences, you can rely on Windsor as your personal fairy-godmother. 

This online boutique sells hundreds of stylish fits ranging from cocktail gowns to crop tops, sweaters, and shoes. They’re famously known for producing formal wear, as trendsetters can find a mesmerizing selection of unique prints and silhouettes. 

Established in 1937, Windsor is considered one of the older clothing stores like Fashion Nova. There’s something intrinsically heart-warming about its origin story, as the brand has been run by generations of the Zekaria family.

Windsor states that they’ll continue to “create an oasis that inspires and empowers women” for years to come.

Despite the hype, how does Windsor rank on our list? We’ll provide the deets below:

#4 – Wet Seal

Affordable, accessible, and definitely Instagram-friendly, what’s not to love about Wet Seal? This online boutique caters to a wide array of aesthetics, including athleisure, streetwear, and Insta-baddie. 

Unfortunately, there’s not much to learn about the origin story behind Wet Seal other than they’re located in California. But we do know that they’re considered a celebrity favorite, including such starlets like Niki and Gabi. 

Without further ado, let’s assess Wet Seal based on our 6-box checklist:

#5 – Guess

Famous for their jeans, loungewear, and handbags, Guess was at the peak of late 90s and early 2000s fashion. While it’s considered a staple of typical American style, it may be surprising to know they have French roots.

Guess was the dream-child of founders Georges, Maurice, Paul, and Armand Marciano, who established the brand back in 1981. To them, Guess was an amalgamation of old-school Americana combined with early European influences. 

Often described as sexy, young, and adventurous, Guess grew into a global lifestyle brand frequented by many trendsetters and celebs. They’re one of the few stores like Fashion Nova that offer designs for women, men, and kids.

If you’re wondering what makes Guess different from all the rest, we’ll feature a few highlights worth considering:

#6 – Bebe

Bebe ran so that Fashion Nova could also run. Founded in 1976, this San Francisco brand has been at the forefront of Insta-baddie fashion before it was a thing. 

You can thank owner Manny Mashouf, who kickstarted the company to address the veritable lack of trendy clothing at the time. Over the years, Bebe has created multiple subsidiary brands including BebeSport and 2B Bebe. 

Known for producing women’s fashion, this online brand offers a wide selection of dresses, pants, jumpsuits, shapewear, lingerie, and jackets on its website. If you want the full details, we’ll explain why Bebe is included in our stores like Fashion Nova lineup:

#7 – PrettyLittleThing

PrettyLittleThing is your one-stop-shop for cute clothing. Aesthetically pleasing in its pretty pink marketing campaign, this online boutique is popularized for its Insta-baddie fits and scanty looks.

PrettyLittleThing recognizes that not all of us can afford designer brands, which is why most of their inventory is widely affordable. Since its debut in 2012, PLT has exponentially grown as a company, including multiple collaborations with celebs such as Kylie Jenner and Saweetie. 

From the online stores like Fashion Nova we’ve featured so far, PLT is one of the few brands making waves in diversity and philanthropy. They’ve implemented several initiatives, including their #EveryBODYinPLT hashtag on social media and their involvement in the Christie Charitable Fund. 

Well, we know that PrettyLittleThing excels in diversity and inclusion, but what about the other areas? Let’s take a quick look at where they stand. 

#8 – Showpo

Based in sunny Australia, Showpo is a trend-driven clothing boutique that caters to your fashionista needs. It was founded in 2010 by CEO Jane Lu, who left the retail industry in hopes of pursuing more. Today, the brand is available in over 120 countries.

Plus, it doesn’t hurt to mention that Showpo boasts over 1.8 million followers on Instagram. 

Flirty, fun, and super dramatic in design, Showpo is known for its fancy formal wear. It’s the kind of clothing boutique to opt for if you’re a fan of off-shoulder tops, leg slits, and body-con silhouettes.

They also have a wedding collection, where brides-to-be can say “yes” to the dress for an affordable price.

Showpo definitely takes the cake in style, but can the same be said for their quality, diversity, and convenience? There’s only one way to find out. 

#9 – AMI Clubwear

The late 90s clubbing scene plays a pivotal role in L.A fashion. Squeezed between old-school Hollywood glam and boho Venice beach, you’ll find a myriad of skin-tight silhouettes matched with stiletto heels.

AMI Clubwear, a boutique headed by CEO Yang Yang, was the first to bank on this wide-spread style. Its core aesthetic is best described as stylish, young, daring, and sexy. Naturally, it should be no surprise that Chloe Bailey and Kylie Jenner have frequented this brand.

From intimates to costumes and swimsuits, AMI Clubwear can be considered the sexified version of Fashion Nova. With that being said, are they still alluring when it comes to price and convenience? 

#10 – Forever 21

Ah, Forever 21, the go-to brand for many mall-driven teenagers. Despite its bankruptcy, this widely recognized brand continues to significantly impact the fast fashion industry. You can still find a few of their stores throughout the western hemisphere, but very sparingly.

This Los Angeles-based clothing boutique was known for its affordable prices and a large selection of trendy garments. From party dresses to loungewear, it’s relatively easy to find a fit for under $20.

So, what makes Forever 21 iconic as a clothing brand? To answer this question, it’s best to assess their price, convenience, quality, and more.

#11 – Princess Polly

Princess Polly is a clothing brand that manages to capture the rebellious spirit of teenage youth. Pink, pretty, and relatively expressive in fashion style, this online boutique is anything but ordinary when it comes to core aesthetics. 

They’re home to several Instagram-friendly fits, ranging from 90’s nostalgia and Insta-baddie to athleisure. Also, did we mention that Princess Polly is a coveted fav of Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, and Charli D’Amelio?

Aside from its collection, they also carry other brands like Levi’s, Wrangler, and Motel. Before you give them a try, it’s best to conduct a checklist to see if Princess Polly passes our selected six criteria. 

#12 – Zaful

In the lineup of fast fashion retailers, Zaful is usually within the conversation. This widely affordable brand offers thousands of Instagram-friendly styles for men and women. Accessible, low in cost, and impressive in inventory count, it’s relatively easy to fall down the Zaful rabbit-hole.

Zaful is about 5.2 million strong on Instagram. They also boast significant followings on other platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.

Part of its widespread success is thanks to YouTube, as several influencers such as Patricia Bright and Michaela Witter have done clothing hauls on this particular brand.  

There’s a good chance that you’ve heard of Zaful before. Despite its seemingly low prices, what’s there to say about convenience, quality, and diversity? We’ll cover these points down below:

#13 – Lucy In the Sky

Diamonds are tbd, but rest assured that Lucy In the Sky embodies all the whimsy of the late 60’s Beatles hit.

Flirtatious, elegant, and practical for partying, this online boutique wants you to look your best no matter the occasion. They boast a wide selection of romantic fits, ranging from dresses to swimwear and two-piece sets.

There’s not much to know about Lucy In the Sky as a brand, other than their garments are sewn in Los Angeles. But, there’s lots to learn in terms of price, quality, selection, and inclusivity. To keep things easy to read, we’ll provide a brief summarization in point-form:

#14 – Shein

Also known for its low costs and wide selection of trendy clothing, Shein may be one the biggest fast-fashion retailers to ever exist. It’s widely considered a rival amongst brands like Fashion Nova, Zaful, and Romwe.

Because of how large their inventory is, it’s quite hard for us to pinpoint their exact aesthetic.

If anything, it’s a hodge-podge of Insta-baddie, minimalism, 90s nostalgia, and classic streetwear. 

Popularized on TikTok and Instagram, Shein’s widespread success is widely attributed to clothing hauls posted on social media. Besides clothing, they also sell other merchandise, including home decor and beauty products. 

So, is Shein really worth the hype? Let’s see if they pass our six-point checklist:

Why are stores like Fashion Nova so cheap?

Stores like Fashion Nova, such as Shein and Zaful, are avid practitioners of fast fashion. In short, this term usually means unregulated manufacturing procedures, a disregard for environmentalism, and poor working conditions. 

These three red flags are usually the direct consequence of cutting labor costs, which is why shops like Fashion Nova offer clothing for dirt cheap. 

To each brands’ credit, I’m sure they implement some degree of company transparency. Those like Nasty Gal and PrettyLittleThing are at least doing something in terms of conservation. 

Which stores like Fashion Nova are the most affordable?

From the stores like Fashion Nova we’ve featured so far, PrettyLittleThing and Shein are considered the most affordable.

You can find clothing pieces for as low as $2, which is cheaper than anything you can order at Starbucks. With that being said, that shouldn’t discredit other brands that offer a mid-range of $10 to $100. 

So far, we’ve learned that the most expensive pieces usually entail coats and formalwear. Spending $100 may seem a lot at first glance, but if it’s for a standard winter coat, we’d say it’s a bang for your buck.

Which stores like Fashion Nova have the most inclusive size range?

PrettyLittleThing, Showpo, Zaful, and Shein are our four top contenders for size inclusivity. Generally, they provide options as wide as XS to 5XL, which is much broader compared to the usual small and large. It seems that a lot of stores like Fashion Nova recognize the need for body positivity.

In fortunate news, most of the brands we’ve covered offer a plus-sized category. They also provide a nifty measurements chart in case you need to double-check your size before you buy.

Which stores like Fashion Nova are the best quality?

If you’re a stickler for well-made clothing, we recommend that you check out Nasty Gal, PrettyLittleThing, Bebe, and Princess Polly. 

Compared to some of the stores like Fashion Nova we’ve featured so far, they offer a wider selection of fabrics to choose from. This mainly includes a mix of denim, suede, faux leather, Spandex, and cotton.

Ultimately, any store that provides other options other than polyester is a win in our book.

It’s worth noting that brands like Nasty Gal and Princess Polly are implementing some recyclable fabrics within their clothing mix. They’re considered excellent alternatives if you’re in the market for affordable eco-friendly fashion.

Final Thoughts

Fashion Nova’s insta-baddie aesthetic may not appeal to everyone, but it’s definitely a style that’ll last through several fads and phases. Fortunately, most brands offer a different take of Instagram femme fatale, whether that be Nasty Gal’s rebellious perspective or Princess Polly’s fun yet flirty outlook.

Readers, you can take care knowing that all 14 stores are affordable, convenient, and highly accessible. Whatever you choose, we’re 100% sure that your future Instagram feed will be fire.

Looking for more choice alternatives? Check out some of our other articles:

Stores Like Shein

Stores Like Anthropologie

Stores Like IKEA

Stores Like Princess Polly

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