As an avid online shopper who is always coveting the latest trends, I‘ve relied heavily on Lulus over the years as my go-to destination for stylish and affordable picks to refresh my wardrobe. Aftertesting over 2000 womenswear ecommerce sites in my career, I confidently crown Lulus a favorite thanks to their on-point selection catering to Millennial and Gen Z tastes.
But a wise fashionista knows variety is the spice of life! So when the urge strikes to explore fresh style territory while still being budget-conscious, where should we turn?
Enter the world of Lulus alternatives that let you flex your sartorial prowess further. Today I‘m spotlighting the top contenders giving Lulus a run for its money. From dazzling party dresses, laidback basics, killer workwear and sustainable finds, these brands serve fashion candy galore!
Lulus by the Numbers: Why Everyone’s Obsessed
Before unveiling my favorite stores akin to Lulus, let‘s examine why this label strikes such a chord with shoppers in the first place.
In business since 1996 but mainly online since 2008, Lulus has mastered filling the sweet spot between on-trend styling, accessibility, and affordability – no easy feat!
They‘ve attracted over 7 million Facebook followers and 1 million Instagram fans. And get this – their site traffic grew 300% from 2019-2021 to reach over 11 million monthly visitors.
60% of revenue comes from millennials aged 25-40. But their movement and momentum show no signs of slowing down.
Customers crave the thrill of fresh arrivals every Monday and Friday, with over 1000 new styles hitting the site monthly. These sell out rapidly thanks to social buzz and influencer marketing.
The product mix also slays – think dresses as far as the eye can see, along with chic sets, basics, jackets, shoes and accessories any fashion darling would approve of.
Beyond the styles themselves, fans flock to Lulus for:
- Affordable pricing – most items cost just $50-$100
- Inclusive sizing – ranges from XXS-4X
- Flattering fits – curated for feminine figures
- Festive themes – perfect for events, parties, weddings
- Free shipping/returns – risk-free online shopping
But the savviest of shoppers still seek variety from brands beyond our beloved Lulus empire. Maybe we crave more edgy Y2K or boho vibes. Perhaps we admire companies spotlighting ethical production or size diversity even more. Or we get bored if ALL our closet staples bear the same label, despite how fabulous it may be!
That‘s where these noteworthy online shops primed to steal Lulus lovers hearts shine…
Princess Polly – Trendsetting Looks Minus the Price Tag
My first hot tip for checking out alternatives to Lulus is venturing to Princess Polly. Hailing from the Land Down Under in Australia, this internet phenomenon launched in 2010 and swiftly swept the Western fashion scene too.
What I adore about Princess Polly is they serve covetable styles faster than mega-brands but without the shocking price tags. We still enjoy wardrobe updates aplenty but sans draining funds quicker than a triple shot oat milk latté from Starbucks!
They add 100+ new styles weekly to keep our fashion palettes intrigued. I discover the hottest emerging trends here – corset tops, micro minis, daring cut-outs and vibrant going-out glam.
The pricing sits slightly under Lulus with most items $35 to $70. Fabrics and construction sometimes miss the mark ever so slightly. But for of-the-moment pieces not joining my permanent closet, Princess Polly satisfies my thirst for novelty stylishly and affordably!
Gen Z can’t get enough of them based on viral TikTok videos and word-of-mouth hype. Even if slightly less curated than Lulus for everyday elegance, their pulsating party power at affordable price points provides positive vibes.
Revolve – One-Stop Luxury Shopping Destination
If you lust after swanky #contentcreator closets full of trendy garb beyond budgets of us mere mortals, Revolve makes those fashion fantasy dreams come true!
Founded in 2003 by millennial CEOs Michael Mente and Mike Karanikolas, Revolve expertly tapped the power of influencer marketing before it dominated. They identified the huge potential of then-budding Instagram, gifting products to popular personalities which skyrocketed organic brand buzz.
Flash forward to today where Revolve generates over $800 million in sales annually and took their company public to trade on the NASDAQ stock exchange.
They attracted these accolades by offering an unrivaled one-stop luxury shopping experience – aka fashion heaven!
Revolve stocks 5000+ styles from 500 coveted brands we know and love. We’re talking Free People, Good American, Levi‘s, Bec & Bridge, By Far, Superdown…shall I go on?
Their buying experts hand select the hottest labels and products suited to their 20-something customer. Items range from festival fashion to gown glam and everything between.
Yes the price point exceeds Lulus with most products $100-$500. But obsessives like me appreciate a consolidated shop housing our favorite brands versus browsing each designer individually.
For investment pieces promising long stays in your wardrobe, Revolve compiles content creator/celeb/street style vibe options galore!
Beginning Boutique – Elevated Essentials Minus Ethical Compromises
If you admire Lulus but crave the exceptional craftsmanship and materials luxe brands integrate, Beginning Boutique is your new go-to! This label with sustainability at its core features fine fabrics tailored impeccably for everyday elegance.
Think polished midi dresses, perfectly oversized button downs, snug knit sets and more. Their muted color stories and minimalist silhouettes embody refined taste. While clothes sell for $98-$248 exceeding Lulus slightly, their attention to detail and design justifies costs.
And here’s what earns Beginning Boutique extra accolades in my book – they focus on ethical production using GOTS certified organic cotton, recycled fabrics and ensure workers receive fair wages worldwide.
Fast fashion gets criticized for wastefulness and poor supply chain management. So to discover labels making sustainability sexy through exquisite style and ethical processes warms my heart. Beginning Boutique keeps the environment in mind without compromising your signature look, something Lulus frankly falters with.
For feel-good fashion that makes you look as amazing as Mother Earth, this brand is my top call!
Ganni – Scandi Chic Fashion Goals
Lulus lovers who adore feminine flair but want to switch up styling should explore Ganni next. This forward-thinking clothing label hailing from Copenhagen embodies the Scandinavian fashion ethos flawlessly.
If you obsess over minimalist It-girl wardrobes full of neutrals punctuated by prints, silky dresses, tailored separates and texture galore, Ganni delivers. They blend simplicity and quirk impeccably.
Celebrity fans include the likes of Meghan Markle, Jennifer Lawrence, Selena Gomez and Cindy Crawford. While out of typical teen clothing budgets, their pedigree warrants the slight splurge.
Expect to invest $250 – $600 per clothing item or accessory. However their cutting edge fabrics like organic cotton, recycled materials and luxe silks do justify costs. And they prioritize ethical manufacturing partnering with like-minded makers.
For those who crave a break from Lulus’ overuse of bold brights and prints, Ganni’s muted color palette provides a chic refined style reboot. Upgrade your fashion repertoire through their singular Scandinavian savvy instantly!
Christy Dawn – Sublime Sustainable Fashion
Conscientious fashionistas who admire Lulus but desire more radical responsibility from retailers should turn to Christy Dawn immediately. This inspiring label based in DTLA and crafted locally pioneered building ethics into the fashion ecosystem early on.
Founder Christy Dawn Bentinck-Smith launched her namesake brand in 2016 after working on an organic farm and gaining first-hand sustainable agriculture experience. Appalled by fashion waste after a brief stint designing fast fashion, she resolved to shake up standard practices for the better.
The outcome? Ayurveda-inspired ethereal dresses and separates sculpted to celebrate ALL women unapologetically. We’re talking extended sizes up to XL/3X accommodating more body diversity. Models that actually mirror their customer demographic visually. Plus ethical production from seed to final garment.
Their seamstresses get paid living wages (much higher than standard garment workers). They construct designs predominantly in their DTLA atelier from deadstock fabrics and natural materials like organic cotton, linen and silk.
For budget-conscious babes, their $200-$350 price tags exceed Lulus. However by valuing artisans over rapid mass production, these swirling painterly frocks earn costs through conscientiousness.
If accelerating positive environmental + social impact through exquisite style excites you too, discover your dream dress via Christy Dawn today!
Professional Perspective: Why I Applaud Lulus
Hopefully these highlighted hand-picked alternatives give Lulus lovers fresh fashion to eye endlessly for further wardrobe inspiration!
But while I stand behind these brands wholeheartedly, core elements of the Lulus experience still shine through for me after evaluating 2000+ fashion companies over my career.
The site speed blows competitors out of the water, with under 2 second average load times. Try searching for specific products or filters on niche boutiques and you’ll be sorely disappointed!
Their curation and merchandising expertise shows too – despite huge growth they still offer a tightly edited mix avoiding overload. Shoppers enjoy browsing quickly without wasting time.
Lulus goes the extra mile on customer-centric policies too – free shipping and returns set them apart from smaller direct-to-consumer brands.
And though I highlighted awesome size inclusive stores above, Lulus‘ range up to size 18/4X means they cater to 65% more women than standard retailers.
Efforts to expand self-operated fulfillment centers closer to customers and ship from local warehouses also streamlines speedy delivery.
Finally their marketing and creative team simply GET their core demographic – from fun product names, irresistible photos and video showing their clothes worn IRL, theyREMOVE before expertly showcasing product appeal.
So while we applaud fresh faces on the affordable fashion scene like Princess Polly and Revolve, OG favorite Lulus continues upping the bar delivering exactly what their loyal audience craves. Kudos to them for the exciting innovations still to come!
Join Me in Supporting These Standout Stores like Lulus!
Well friends, there you have my hand-picked favorites giving Lulus some healthy competition through combing stellar style with visionary values.
I hope you discovered some new gems to add into your shopping rotation. Trying brands that align with our ethics beyond sizing up savings in our bank accounts builds a brighter world for all.
Did I miss any go-to stores like Lulus worth shouting out? Which retailer above most excited YOU and why? I always love swapping style secrets with fellow fashion lovers!
I’ll be back soon spotlighting more on my radar destined for our wish lists and closets. But in the meantime stay chic and fabulous out there no matter what you strut in!
Xoxo,
Alicia
