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Best Shops To Buy As A Grown Women For Better Style On Budget

If you are wondering which stores you can shop to find great stylish clothing items without spending a ton of money, then checkout this guide where I am sharing 6 of my favorite stores where I regularly shop and what exactly I shop there. If you are tired of shopping at Zara or fast fashion shops where you just cannot find anything that fits you and flatters you properly, then these stores will definitely change that.

In this guide, I am comparing sizing guides of these stores, how to pick different items and the price point of each of the stores, that will help you to decide what to wear and also sharing when you can snag a deal in these stores.

Just a note that I almost always shop online for clothes. If you struggle with that I have a shopping online guide specifically for clothes, check it out below.

So, let’s begin, shall we.

Mango

Mango is one of my most favorite stores to shop online. After shopping here, you will literally forget Zara. Honestly, I never found anything that worked for my body type in Zara and I naturally always blamed myself. But I realized that I was not  shopping at the right stores who made clothes for my body.

And Mango is the perfect European store for that with all the latest styles and finds but most importantly for everyday women body type.

Sizing

Mango also has the same European sizing guide as Zara does, but it makes clothes for mature women and not teenagers. The sizes work for your curves and they also have a plus size or more like full figure collection called Violeta.

Below is the snapshot of the sizing guide of Mango. But you can also get the full sizing guide. You can also download the full one by clicking the button below it.

Pricing

Mango has a fairly decent price point unlike a lot of high street brands. A basic T shirt pricing starts from $16 depending on the style. 

The best things are its jeans which starts from $59 and I absolutely love that about the brand.

The most expensive pieces would be Blazers and coats that would be around $100 – $250.

Mango Mom High Waist Jeans

Price: $59.99

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Mango Flowy Palazzo Pants

Price: $59.99

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Quality

Some of the pieces I have bought from mango have lasted me for years together. I always buy jeans and button down shirts from the store. There sizing fits me well and I can always rely n the quality of the products.

Head to the bottom of the page for a side by side analysis of the stores and my recommendations on what to buy.

The best find for me are their jeans which I have worn for years literally.

Mango Double breasted blazer

Price: $119

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Mango Buttoned flowy shirt

Price: $39.99

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Mango Flowy Shirt

Loft

If you love Madewell but hate the overpriced pieces then my friend Loft is definitely your store and you should be shopping at. I love the modern bohemian vibe or you can call it Cali Girl style of clothing that the brand shares which feels effortless and comfortable for everyday wear. 

Sizing

I love that Loft includes all three sizing types, Regular, Petite and Plus which definitely makes each of their designs versatile and more customized for your body type. But They have also included a Curvy section, which sometimes is best for my body type if I am looking for a flow piece.

I usually shop for Regular, but if I am looking for a cropped bottom like jeans or pants, I also buy there Petite collection, so that I can have that cropped look. 

The good part is that for most products they display the length or other details between different sizes.

There Sizing chart is the best I have seen so far with specifics to each body type.

Loft Sizing Guide
Pricing
Quality

I love buying bottoms from the brand because they seem like a good price for value. And I have always found the perfect fit for my body type without sizing up. 

In fact sometimes I have sized down which is the best feeling. Their designs are more catered to Californian laid back living and more of a Business casual pieces. So if that is your style, then this is your store.

Loft V Neck Sweater

Price: $59.95

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Loft Curvy Slim Sailor Pants

Price: $89.95

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Loft Heart Smocked Cuff Midi Dress

Price: $99.95

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Express

Express definitely compete with Zara, but instead of being a fast fashion they are working more towards creating designs that are modern and yet good quality which will last for you a while. 

There was a time in 2018 when there styles were dwindling but in 2020 they revived themselves with comfier work wear and styles that really work for American Women.

Sizing

Express sizing are catered a bit more towards young adults in their late 20s. White that is absolutely fine, it does not at all feel like fast fashion brands.

There sizing guide has both Euro sizing and US sizing (S-M) which definitely helps. Though I wish their jeans sizing should be US sizing which is more accurate. 

But the clothes are true to fit for my average body type, so I have nothing to complain.

Express Women Sizing Guide
Pricing

This is where Express competes very well with great price point to all of their pieces with their denim and jackets which are competitive to brands like Levis. 

A basic tee starts from $30. And Jeans start from $80 which is pretty awesome.

Express Super High Waisted Open Pleated Wide Leg Pant

Price: $88

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Express Collared V-Neck Long Sleeve Sweater

Price: $88

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Express Collared Sweater

Express Super High Waisted Open Pleated Wide Leg Pant

Price: $168

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Quality

The clothing quality is average for express and that is why you can probably see a lot of discount promotions to compensate that. 

For me, their pants and jeans are the best quality. But recently with the Body Contour collection, they have created a new design of tops that are high quality and would work for great work wear essentials as well. 

I also love their suits which are good quality and well priced.

& Other Stories

If you are looking for a more modern UK based styling that still looks chic and sophisticated, then check out this new LA based brand & Other Stories.

I initially saw some Instagram ads of this brand and then when I started looking at their products, I got inspired and started shopping. 

Sizing

As a relatively newer brand, they haven’t matured in terms of their sizing guide. And its not as relaxed as some of the other brands I have shared. 

But all of their clothes are true to size and that is what you should look for when you shop at any store. I have been shopping their and already loved a lot of the items. 

As per the size chart, I am a size MEDIUM for tops and bottoms.

& Other Stories Sizing Chart
Pricing

For their modern designs, they have a great price point. I compare their styles to brands like French Connection, BCBGMaxazria all of which are really expensive. 

A basic Crewneck T shirt starts with $25 which is awesome and I am sharing the quality of the Tees soon below. 

A pair of Jeans is cheaper than Levis starting with $79 which is awesome.

& Other Stories Wide Leg Patch Pocket Jeans

Price: $89

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& Other Stories Wide Sleeve Crewneck T-Shirt

Price: $25

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& Other Stories Buttoned Rib Knit Dress

Price: $139

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Quality

Everlane

Everlane has taken clothing brands to whole another level where they promise to offer you the best price for their product because they are selling directly from the factory. This cuts the middle market which is really commendable. 

Checkout my complete review of the Everlane clothes I have worn over the years. 

Everlane specializes in elevated basics. But their styles are also comparable to Madewell which is a bit pricey for sure, but way more modern and structure. A style that I absolutely love.

Sizing

I love that Everlane sizes are more diverse than & Other Stories. You can see clothing items to XXL which is awesome. 

This makes the brand more acceptable and clearly we all would love to shop there don’t we. But they also have a garment measurement detail which helps to measure them against our body without trying them.

Everlane Sizing Guide
Pricing

The jeans starts with $78 which is incredible and actually way cheaper than Levis jeans which I feel like are great value for price. 

Their tops and t-shirts start from $28 which is really awesome price point compared to like Express.

But the best pricing is for sweaters, their basic crewneck sweaters start at $50. Their most expensive clothing piece are the woolen blazers at around $170.

Quality

The quality of this brand’s products is at par and really great quality for the price point. I have their woolen plaid blazer which I shared some outfit ideas for fall on my YouTube channel. And I have to say it feels awesome in it. 

The fabric and design both are comfortable which is key for a good quality blazer.

I also have their crewneck tshirt which is really good quality and it does not loose its shape after a washing and drying. 

Everlane 90s Cheeky Jeans

Price: $108

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Everlane Oversized Blazer

Price: $225

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Everlane Silky Cotton Relaxed Shirt

Price: $85

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Checkout my complete Everlane Review.

JCrew Factory

JCrew Factory is the best place to find classy preppy quality clothes on a great budget. Does not matter which season you are shopping, you will find relaxed fit but preppy style of clothes.

But it comes with a huge price reduction when you compare it with JCrew. I know the name factory throws all us of, and we instantly think its probably just last season clothes or bad quality clothes. And we could not be far from wrong. 

A lot of designers also have factory stores, these stores sell products that are mass produced hence, they are cheaper compared to the original brand with limited amount of a style.

Sizing

JCrew Factory offers clothes in both Regular and Petite sizing so you can shop with confidence. The ideal body type for JCrew customers are slim and straight figured women, which means you sometimes have to make sure that your denims fit properly. 

But all the products are true to size and fit regular grown women very well. 

They also offer sizing upto 3X, so if you wear plus size, you can also find something cute to wear here.  Sharing a screen shot of their tops sizing guide. But checkout the full detail here.

Pricing

JCrew factory Classic vintage jean in all-day stretch

Price: $49

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JCrew factory Wool-blend lady coat

Price: $138

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JCrew factory Cotton Teddie sweater

Price: $39.95

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JCrew factory Chambray puff-sleeve ruffle top

Price: $39.50

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Quality

Since it has the same make of JCrew, it has the same quality as well. I have bought JCrew jeans and shirts and worn them to death. Their button down shirts are not that see through, so you look great in them. 

The sweaters are soft and perfect for everyday wear with a flare of preppy bright style. The biggest reason to shop at the store is because the clothes look more expensive than they are. 

Banana Republic Factory

If you are looking for sophisticated casual and elevated clothing items but don’t want to spend a lot of money, you need to start shopping at Banana Republic Factory. The brand has reinvented its workwear style since 2021 to create smart casual looks you can wear at work and everyday as well. 

You can find really high quality garment in a fraction of the price. More importantly these styles are elevated clothing items you should be wearing in your 30s. 

Sizing

Since there style reinvention, I have been actively shopping for work clothes and cute casual pieces as well as essentials from the brand that fit my size 8 body very well. 

All their sizing is catered to modern mature women and they look so flattering as well.

They offer clothes in Regular, Petite and tall sizes as well as plus size in all of them. And also have great measurement suggestions for each of the sizes which makes pants and denim shopping so easy. They also provide a sizing meter which helps you make sizing decision by checking where something is true to size or runs small or big.

Banana Republic Factory Icon Blazer

Price: $126

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Banana Republic Factory Taylor Fit Easy Care Shirt

Price: $49

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Quality

All of their clothing items are really high quality. I love the knitwear and denim for being timeless and classic. The dresses are not just boring work dresses, but are versatile and you can wear to work and outside as well.

I recently invested in a leather jacket from the brand which I do not regret at all. Its so high quality and fits really well as well. 

Banana Republic factory clothes are great smart casual workwear pieces but they can also be worn for elevated travel and party outfits.  

I recommend shopping for jackets, blazers and dresses from the brand.

Banana Republic Factory Tiered Maxi Dress

Price: $96

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Banana Republic Factory Faux suede Moto jacket

Price: $85

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Clothes Brand Comparison

Even if you don’t like shopping in any of these stores, I hope this post helps you to look at shopping from a perspective of finding a brand that will work for your body type rather than fitting yourself into a brand just because everybody shops there.

This is actually the making of a true personal style.

For more on style in your 30s, please read:

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Hi, I am Suchi the Founder, Editor-in-Chief of Pink April Diary.

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