Fast-fashion brands like Zara, Mango and H&M were once considered the go-to stores for stylish and affordable clothes — but with tariffs jacking up prices as much as 40%, this holiday season, trendsetters are being forced to look elsewhere for reasonably priced, festive attire to wear to fancy soirees.
Their new mecca of choice? Amazon.
More and more shoppers, including style influencers, are ditching the traditional fashion behemoths for the convenience — and affordability — of ordering a new pair of shoes alongside their toilet paper.
In fact, Amazon’s clothing and shoes sales are expected to surpass $72 billion by the end of the year, according to CNBC — with women making up 75% of the retailer’s customers, per a recent report from Consumer Affairs.
And I should know — I’ve become one of them.
Best-dressed — on a budget
I used to roll my eyes at influencers’ posing in head-to-toe Amazon outfits in their social media posts, or at my friends who bought a Lululemon-lookalike workout set from the site, thinking that any inexpensive, fashionable find purchased from Jeff Bezos’ brainchild was too good to be true. Because how great can the quality actually be? Especially at the low prices many retailers charge.
But then I spotted a former co-worker looking supremely stylish in a social media post, dressed head to toe in Amazon, and I finally caved and ordered a few outfits for upcoming occasions — paying careful attention to product descriptions and reviews.
My purchases, shockingly, didn’t disappoint. One of my favorites is a $42 olive green pleated button-down shirt with matching wide-leg pants from Amazon — that has become a staple evening outfit.
While wearing the matching set at my recent work holiday party, I was flattered by how many co-workers asked me where it was from.
The outfit looked expensive, fit surprisingly well — especially the length of the pants on my almost 5-foot-10 frame — and was delivered within two days.
Amazon is a ‘secret weapon’
Fernanda Aceves, 34, a digital marketing director living in North Carolina, is another unexpected marketplace shopper, too.
“I shop on Amazon pretty regularly, especially when I need something quickly or when I’m trying different styles for an event,” she told The Post.
While some shoppers might be hesitant to purchase a special-occasion look, like a gown or a cocktail dress, from Amazon, 34-year-old Aceves is someone who relies on the retailer for these types of events.
“For special occasions, Amazon has become a bit of a secret weapon [for me] — the dresses are affordable, often look surprisingly high-end in person, and there’s less risk of running into someone wearing the same thing, since most people tend to shop from the same few stores,” she explained to The Post.
These days, with many retailers becoming more stern with their return policies, Amazon’s hassle-free refunds and exchanges are another appealing sell for online shoppers.
“I also love that you can order multiple styles, try everything at home and return what doesn’t work without any stress,” Aceves said.
For a military ball that she recently attended, the 34-year-old opted for a $47 off-the-shoulder long-sleeve bodycon dress that looked double, if not triple, its price.
Instead of relying on typical fast-fashion stores like H&M or Zara, where a stylish dress can easily set a shopper back $100 to $170, Aceves told The Post that she prefers to hunt down expensive-looking items on Amazon that range from $50 to $80.
“I love finding pieces that look elevated without spending a fortune, especially if it’s something I might only wear once or twice,” she explained.
And she’s not alone in her thinking.
Fashion influencer Lilliana Vazquez chases chic, affordable finds on Amazon and elsewhere, showcasing them for the cost-conscious who want to add glam to their ensembles without breaking a budget — and leaving admirers none the wiser.
‘Looked cute and festive’
Mary Jacob, another reporter at The Post, also loves Amazon for their fashion-forward clothing at an affordable price.
“I needed something fun for the Christmas party season, so when I was away for Thanksgiving break, I thought to myself, ‘I won’t have much time to shop for a dress I might only wear once or twice; let me check out Amazon,’” Mary Jacob told me. “For me, this was an economical choice.”
Jacob decided on a black mini velvet dress with crystal-like embellishments around the collar for $45, which she said appeared slightly different in person, but overall “still looked cute and festive. It did its job.”
In addition to reasonable prices and fast delivery, fashion lover and Post Commerce Reporter Emma Sutton-Williams believes that part of the appeal of shopping for clothes on Amazon is the fact that it’s now offering trendier and better-quality options for shoppers.
“Over the last few years, Amazon has quietly built an impressive fashion portfolio, launching curated storefronts like Saks on Amazon featuring brands such as Balmain, Stella McCartney and Johanna Ortiz,” Sutton-Williams said. “Little by little, customers started turning to Amazon for the looks they love, paired with fast shipping and easy returns.
In addition to high-end brands, Amazon has also attracted various retailers selling extremely affordable, but still stylish, clothing.
“You can now find Zara-comparable pieces with similar quality for less.”
With all that being said, if you’re looking to panic buy an outfit to wear to a dinner soirée or a chic New Year’s Eve party you completely forgot about until you received the Partiful text reminder, Sutton-Williams curated several festive Amazon outfits that will for sure have lookie-loos swarming you, asking, “Where is this from?”
Outfit 1: Monochrome mood
Top, $38 | Satin pants, $36 | Kitten heels, $40 | Clutch, $50
This monochromatic look was inspired by Amazon influencer Kristin Niblett, and it’s the perfect pairing of various textures. The cozy off-the-shoulder top with silky, elastic-waistband pants combo makes for the most comfortable, chic fit.
Finish the outfit with a patent heel and a cute-as-a-button clutch to wear as arm candy. The look makes a great New Year’s Eve outfit at home or for braving the cold city streets to your event.
Outfit 2: Wrapped in bows
Pearl-drop earring, $10 | Hair bow, $7 | Velvet dress, $46 | Fleece-lined translucent leggings, $26 | Slingback kitten heels, $40
Classic velvet always feels expensive as its depth and texture give any outfit a rich, luxurious finish. This sweet mini velvet dress with crystal-like embellishments around the collar makes for an ultra-feminine and romantic holiday look.
Pair it with a pearl-drop earring, fleece-lined tights that give the illusion of skin peeking through while keeping you toasty and warm, plus a crystal bow kitten heel — and you’ll be the talk of the party.
Outfit 3: Festive urban nomad
Leather bomber, $60 | Spaghetti cami top, $11 | Barrel pants, $40 | Boot dupe, $129 | Birkin-like bag, $79
If you’re not a bows and frills kind of gal, this faux-leather, funnel-neckline bomber jacket, flattering spaghetti cami top, barrel jeans, The Row-inspired combat boots and Birkin-esque bag combo is the perfect edgy holiday look for you.
Outfit 4: Office-to-holiday party
Satin skirt, $29 | Sequin cami, $35 | Blazer, $48 | Heels, $40
If you need a look that can take you from day to night, this is the perfect outfit. Silky skirts are having a major moment right now, since they’re flattering and can instantly elevate any look. Dress one up with a sequin cami for some added texture and sparkle, then layer on a tailored blazer to keep things polished for the daytime.
Finish the look with an ankle-strap, pointed-toe heel that pulls the whole outfit together and adds just the right amount of sophistication.
Outfit 5: Casual, cool sparkle
Suede bomber jacket, $45 | Turtleneck, $39 | Rhinestone jeans, $39 | Purse, $22 | Slingback heels, $53
This slouchy, oversized faux-suede jacket will give your holiday look an urban edge. Stay warm with a form-fitting turtleneck tucked into a pair of rhinestone-embellished jeans, which are everywhere right now, and add just the right amount of holiday sparkle to feel dressed up while staying street-chic. Finish the look with coordinating brown slingback heels and a sparkly shoulder bag.
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