Shoestring Magazine's Looks for Less: Top 10 Bargain Shops

Sure, most shoppers know about the big three when it comes to getting current looks on the cheap (H&M, Forever 21, Charlotte Russe), but Shoestring's staffers thought we'd take this opportunity to share with you our favorite indie haunts and mainstream havens for finding that coveted Look for Less -- some you may not have heard of before.

INDEPENDENT

1. Lulu's
If you were ever the type of girl that raided your mother's closet for unique clothes, then Lulu's is the shop for you. Launched in 1996 by a mother-daughter team, Lulu's Fashion Lounge offers an eclectic mix of lesser-known designers and fabulous vintage pieces at prices just north of the five finger discount of yesteryear. Items are updated daily, and if you're feeling generous, buy a little something stylish for mom with all the cash you're going to have leftover.

2. ModCloth

In between stalking your ex-boyfriend and looking up that girl who sat next to you in second grade, you probably stumbled across a Facebook ad or two for the super-cool hipster clothing shop Mod Cloth. If, like us, you clicked away, you probably and immediately fell in love with owner Susan's stylish picks. What started as a side job selling unique thrift store finds became a full time gig in 2006. Now, Susan and her husband travel around the world finding up-and-coming designers and vintage items so they can continue to bring us all the cheap and chic finds we crave. Love them!

3. Chic Star
Like a marriage of Project Runway and eBay, ChicStar is an online boutique and community for independent fashion design, where concepts are submitted for review, produced, voted on, and, if you're lucky, auctioned off. According to their mission, ChicStar's goal is to "empower women to express their personal style by offering the latest fashions at easily affordable prices." Designers can submit their concepts, and if selected, the designer receives a free prototype of their design. If the design is mass produced, the designer gets $250 and their name on each garment's label. Failed sewing class? Don't fret, there are plenty of styles on sale and you don't have to pick up a single pencil or inch of fabric from Mood.

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