At some point in your life as a stylish college woman, you’ll face an important choice: buying clothes, or buying books? And since books are non-negotiable in college, if you want to maximize your (few) leftover dollars, you need to know where to shop.

There are tons of affordable clothing stores out there, but which ones are worth shopping at, and which aren’t? Some cheap shopping sites are fabulous, but many are just, well… cheap. We’re here to help you discern between the two so that you know where to go when you’re looking for a new outfit, on a budget.

If you have champagne taste on a beer budget, dollar store clothing is not gonna cut it. You need to shop at the right places.

{RELATED POST: Top 10 Best Online Boutiques for Unique & Affordable Finds}

Without further ado, here’s the official College Fashion love list of the top 20 best stores for fashion on a college budget. Visit these affordable clothing stores, shop right, and no one will know that your #ootd didn’t cost a fortune!

Table of Contents

Top 20 Best Budget Fashion Stores

20. Lulus

California brand Lulus actually began as a vintage store called LuLu*s Fashion Lounge.

Known for their affordable, girly clothing, Lulus is a great place to shop if you are looking to add trendy yet relaxed pieces to your wardrobe without breaking the bank. (BTW, they also topped our list of the best clothing stores for teens.)

In addition to their collection of everyday clothes – which encompasses everything from basic bodysuits to swimwear – the brand also has an expansive event-wear line of dresses and gowns. If you’re looking for a dress to wear to a formal, date party, or wedding this should be one of the first stores you check!