I Used to Get All My Clothes From Zara, but These 8 Retailers Are Better

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By Katie Price Published

Quick Read

  • Many fast fashion brands combine basic layering pieces with trendy pieces to dress them up.

  • Whether you’re looking for quality, a low price, or inclusive sizing, these eight have it all.

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I Used to Get All My Clothes From Zara, but These 8 Retailers Are Better

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Fast fashion brands are extremely popular right now and one of the cheapest, easiest ways to shop for both wardrobe staples and trendy pieces. We love Zara, but we’ve expanded our research to include eight other brands we think are worth your time.

H&M

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H&M offers a huge variety of both the basics and work-worthy clothing for men and women. You can find a blazer for court just as easily as you can find a comfy pair of sweatpants. The store remains largely affordable and offers inclusive sizing. The clothing is durable enough to last for several years. It’s easy to mix and match the items, and seasonal collections and limited collaborations with other brands liven up the retail floor.

H&M Favorite Finds

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When we searched through H&M’s products, these were some of our favorite finds:

Asos

ASOS
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Although Asos is strictly an online retailer, it’s worth the risk to pick up some of its best products. In some areas, you can buy your item and have it delivered the next day. Buying online is risky, but global shipping, discounts and sales, and easy returns process minimize the cost. ASOS is known for being trendy and up to date on fashion trends and also offers inclusive sizing.

Asos Favorite Finds

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When we searched through Asos’s products, these were some of our favorite finds:

Urban Outfitters

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While Urban Outfitters can be more expensive than other choices, the quality makes it worth the investment. The store also has a basic section that is affordable for almost anyone. It offers a huge variety of projects, including gifts, accessories, beauty products, home decor, and clothing. This is a great option for anyone looking for streetwear, vintage, or bohemian-inspired designs, as well as limited and exclusive collections. The store gives off a youthful, trendy vibe.

Urban Outfitters Favorite Finds

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When we searched through Urban Outfitter’s products, these were some of our favorite finds:

Forever 21

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Forever 21 has been in and out of the news as the company closed many stores, but you can still find your favorites in certain cities. This is one of the most affordable options with an extremely diverse range of options. There are items for men and children and a huge section of versatile accessories to go with any outfit. The store also regularly has promotions and sales. These fashion-forward, trendy options are available in inclusive sizing.

Forever 21 Favorite Finds

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When we searched through Forever 21’s products, these were some of our favorite finds:

Cotton On

Stack of blue jeans in the store for sale. Jeans trousers stack in a clothing store in the shopping mall. Concept of buy, sell, shopping and jeans fashion. Textile industry. Retail trade
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Cotton On has exploded onto the fashion scene over the last few years, likely because of its large selection of clothing and affordable prices. While the store’s size doesn’t quite keep up with H&M, the products do. The store offers comfortable, casual styles that cater to a youthful population, so you’re guaranteed to get the trendiest styles. Many of their clothing items are versatile and can be dressed up or down. The company uses high-quality fabrics, sustainable practices, and inclusive sizing. They’re also known for sales and promotions, so if something’s out of your price range, keep watching it.

Cotton On Favorite Finds

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When we searched through Cotton On’s products, these were some of our favorite finds:

Mango

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Mango is another alternative to Zara. It uses high-quality fabrics to create sophisticated, chic styles that don’t cost a fortune. With a huge variety to choose from, you can find an outfit for almost every event, plus all the wardrobe staples and essentials that you need. Mango has an international presence and occasionally creates limited-edition collections and collaborates with other brands. It also introduces a new line for each season, so you can stay up to date.

Mango Favorite Finds

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When we searched through Mango’s products, these were some of our favorite finds:

American Eagle

American Eagle Outfitters
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American Eagle is famous for jeans and denim, but has extended to their Aerie brand. This includes swimsuits, bras and underwear, pajamas, and cozy sweatsuits. The company has a huge variety of clothing for men and women and offers a comfortable, relaxed style that still looks great. They also have inclusive sizing with a focus on fit and comfort. Their styles are seasonally relevant and trendy, and most of their items are versatile.

American Eagle Favorite Finds

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When we searched through American Eagle’s products, these were some of our favorite finds:

Gap

Gap To Layoff Hundreds Of Corporate Employees During Latest Round Of Cutbacks
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It’s an oldie but goodie, and Gap has proved it can stay relevant for decades now. Their clothing is known for being versatile and simple but high-quality. Their basic pieces are ideal for layering, and Gap is known for its great denim collection. The company offers inclusive sizing and has eco-friendly collections. If you want the comfort of a brand that’s done it right since 1969, this one is for you.

Gap Favorite Finds

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When we searched through Gap’s products, these were some of our favorite finds:

Photo of Katie Price
About the Author Katie Price →

"A content writer with over ten years of experience, Katie Price is a contributing writer for 24/7 Wall Street. She started her professional career as a teacher before realizing she wasn't cut out to educate the next generation. Although she just ""happened"" upon content writing in 2012, she's honed her skills over the last decade to make her an excellent copywriter and engaging storyteller.

While her true talents lie in web copy, she's expanded into blog writing. Her areas of expertise include education, mental health, legal, finance, insurance, banking, real estate, and roofing. She enjoys deep-diving into companies and people to discover their stories and rich history and finds ways to weave their uniqueness into her content. Katie believes that everyone has an interesting story to tell and strives to find the words to do them justice.

She holds a bachelor's degree in secondary education from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, with a focus on psychology and English as a second language. Katie is also a mother to four children who both enrich her life and drive her insane and in her spare time, she likes to read, nap, volunteer at the book fair, and shop. She is passionate about accessible education and reading and loves words. Her goal in writing is to make the internet a place filled with valuable information that helps people improve their lives without making them feel stupid."

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