Here are 5 online stores great for every budget (and the real talk on each of them).
1. SheIn
Definitely very affordable, but slightly risky if you’re concerned about the fit, fabric and finishing. They recreate high-end designs for less than a fraction of the price, so you can get your hands on all sorts of trendy pieces for a lot less than if you shopped them on the high street. However, not all pieces are true to size, and will sometimes be a lot shorter, a lot tighter or falling off the seams in real life, but you could potentially get lucky if you buy the right things. Shein is great for leggings, cotton tops, bathing suit cover-ups, sweaters (if you like them short) and some cotton dresses. Do not risk it and buy jeans, skirts or blouses. But know that you will not be spending much here.
2. Namshi
The best thing about Namshi is that they are based here in the UAE, so if something doesn’t fit right, you return it for free and get the right size. Namshi also has affordable pieces from brands you are familiar with like Bershka, Mango, New look and Top Shop. These are definitely higher quality than when you are ordering from some factory you've never heard of.
I personally noticed that whenever I ordered from some of their lesser-known brands, the fit tends to be a bit awkward. Namshi is also great for accessories including phone covers, little purses and small knickknacks for your home.
3. ASOS
Definitely not a place that would skimp on quality. They carry hundreds of cool fashion brands as well as their own ASOS brand, which is popular with a lot of women. My personal experience with ASOS was non-existent since they never delivered my product. So, after a lot of emailing, I finally got a refund. That said, ASOS is one of the most trusted and most visited online shopping websites in the UK, with many of my friends using it here. Their clothes are all 100 per cent original. The only warning I’ve heard is that “you get what you pay for.” So some of the cheaper items may not be the best quality.
4. Moda Operandi
Moda Operandi is the only place in the UAE to pre-order looks straight from the unedited runway collections of the world’s top designers, months before they are available anywhere else. It’s basically for fashion professionals and people who need high-end dresses and pieces. If you order from Moda Operandi, be prepared to spend a lot of money (and you’re probably that person who loves to shop for things that no one else has).
5. Ounass
Ounass launched almost two years ago and is home to over 250 luxury brands. If you are into fashion, beauty, lifestyle and homeware, Ounass has an incredible range of super top-tier designers. It’s definitely for those who want to spend a little more and enjoy the finer things in life. That Stella McCartney bag that everyone is going crazy for? You’ll definitely find it here. They also deliver in two hours, so it’s like you bought it at the shop straight away (almost).
