FB&F Favorite Online Shopping Sites

This post started out as one of our periodical pointers, InStyle recently had a great feature on online shopping that we wanted to share with you, but then we saw the opportunity to share our favorite shopping sites with all of you and seized the day. Check out the list below of our favorites for inexpensive finds and let us know if we missed any of your favorites!

Multi-Designer Retailers:

• Shopbop - One of the largest online retailers, you can scroll through the pages of denim for days. If you can't find it at Shopbop, you may not be able to find it anywhere. They carry tons of designers in every price point, and the stylists put together inspiring look books that allow you to shop by trend or style.
  
• Colette - A little French influence, gorgeous clothes and accessories, plus home, beauty, music, and books - what more could you want? Well, free shipping would be nice, but sometimes the cost of overseas shipping is worth it and if it's from Colette it is probably one of those times.
  
• Net-a-Porter - If you are on an FB&F budget, Net-a-Porter is strictly for wish list items. N-a-P carries looks straight off the runway from Balmain, L'Wren Scott, and Ralph Lauren to name a few, as well as keeps your feet and hands stylish too with Christian Louboutin, Fendi, Manolo, Balenciaga, and more.
  
• ASOS - British retailer carrying their own designs - which are inspired by celeb style so you can buy dresses inspired by Agnyess, Alexa, and Kate - as well as clothing from French Connection, Twenty8Twelve, and such. Great jewelry and headpieces from the likes of Jennifer Behr. Bonus they carry beauty!
  
• Oak NYC - This NYC-based boutique carries clothes, and styles them in their photo shoots, with an edgier vibe. They mix hard and soft for a look that is very New York, and the site recommends which pieces will compliment the item you have already selected to achieve this look.
  
• Revolve - Where do you start?? With more designers carried on Revolve than you can count, it is a little daunting at first, but you can always find something new for your closet here in whatever price point you need. Also, their magazine and "The List" can provide great inspiration and styling suggestions for items you already have in your closet.
  
• Etsy - This site is so good it has developed a cult following. Hundreds of artisans sell handmade goods on Etsy, so it is easy to spend hours searching for (and finding at a reasonable price) the perfect headpiece or piece of jewelry, or even art for your apartment that is truly original and unique.
  
• CUSP - As much as we love Neiman's (yes shopping with moms is the best), their sister site CUSP carries the younger brands that we all love like Blake Standard, J Brand, Vince, etc...and as a result the merchandise is often closer to our price point than Neiman's.
• Fred Flare - Super low price points, boots for $30 and cocktail dresses for $40, but buyers beware on this site as the quality of the items can be questionable. If you want something that is on-trend and don't want to spend a lot, check out Fred Flare which carries inexpensive favorite BB Dakota.

Retailers:

• Forever 21 - For the same reasons we love the store, we love the website. Forever 21 is perfect for fun pieces that you don't mind having last only one season. We covet the jewelry section, dresses and tees are great from online too, but, due to inconsistent sizing, you may want to visit the store for pants or anything else where you might want to check the fit.
  
• Topshop - Obviously. You can always find a must-own on British retailer Topshop's site. The prices are slightly higher than what you might find at a similar retailer like H&M or Zara, but the ability to shop from our desk makes it worthwhile. Great for blazers, waistcoats, dresses, skirts, blouses...they have somehow captured the effortlessly cool British style we all love, and given us American girls the chance to rock it on this side of the ocean.
• Miss Selfridge - Another one of our British favorites, and Miss Selfridge likes to party - a large section of the site is focused on going out outfits (a term we haven't used since college, but still appreciate). In addition to carrying fun items like sequin blazers, short skirts, and satin rompers at reasonable price points, there is also a large petite section for those of you who are.
  
• American Apparel - This is the absolute go-to for leggings, bodysuits, tanks, tights, and other closet-stocking basics in every color imaginable!
  
• J. Crew - A classic. Great for styling inspiration from the best, plus girly versions of closet necessities like cardigans, super soft tees, cords, blazers, jackets and more.
  

Discount Retailers:

• Gilt Groupe - This invitation-only site emails daily offerings from every designer (from Oscar de la Renta to Tibi) at deeply discounted prices. In addition to Womenswear, Gilt offers Menswear, Travel, Housewares, and Children's clothing. Shoppers beware, Gilt is addicting and since they email you every day and store your credit card and address information, shopping on Gilt can easily become your daily guilty pleasure.
  
• Outnet - A little sister of sorts to the ultimate splurge site Net-a-Porter (see multi-designer retailers above). The Outnet takes the hand-me-downs, or excess merchandise, from Net-a-Porter and sells it with prices slashed up to 80%. Amazing for luxury items at low prices.
  
• eBay - If you have the patience for the auction process, eBay can be the perfect place to find vintage or sold-out-everywhere clothing, accessories, shoes, and especially handbags. However, you must be careful and only buy from verified sellers as it is easy to be duped by scammers with fake merchandise.
  
• RueLaLa - Another invitation-only discount site featuring brands that everyone loves like Cole Haan and Citizens of Humanity.
  
• Shop Style - This idea is genius! You search for an item you want to buy (for example the Proenza PS 1 bag) and this site aggregates every retailer carrying it online and tells you the price. This is the perfect way to find whatever you are looking for on sale somewhere.
  

Vintage:
Although FB&F advises buying vintage at a store rather than online because each piece fits so differently and can be hard to judge quality online, here are some sites that have been highly recommended to us. Proceed with caution.

• Vintage Vixen - This reasonably priced self-acclaimed "vintage heaven" website has been around for 12 years so you can assume the products are legitimate. Vintage Vixen carries clothing, jewelry, purses, shoes, etc...they do have a couture section, but last time we checked Anne Klein was in there so couture might be an overstatement.
  
• Decades Two - The online version of the very famous and fashionable L.A.-based vintage boutique - you may have seen it featured on The Rachel Zoe Project recently. Decades only carries high-end vintage, so expect to find previously loved pieces from designers like Balenciaga, Gucci, Chloe, and more.
  
• Nasty Gal - Maybe it is unfair to put Nasty Gal under the vintage category since they carry a combination of both new and vintage pieces. This site specializes in '80s and that influence is evident in their styling and selection of new merchandise - think fingerless gloves and studded leather vests. You can definitely find some unique standout pieces though (we especially love the jewelry section) in a flat broke price range.

Phew! So how did we do? Let us know if we missed your favorite as we are always looking for new shopping sites!