20 Brands like Forever 21

If you love trendy clothing, chances are you’ve shopped – at least once – at Forever 21. Or have heard of it. It’s no wonder why Forever 21 is so popular: affordable prices, in-the-air clothing items – everything you need to be trendy in the fast-paced fashion world. The USA-based company has set itself apart from the rest of the fashion brands with playful, colorful designs meant to please younger crowds, both male and female. Yet, wouldn’t it be a crime to shop from just one company, when there are so many other brands like Forever 21 carrying trendy hoop earrings and pretty oversized sweatshirts?

They can indeed help you curate your personal look and refine every detail, with a wide selection of clothes, shoes, and accessories. From midi skirts to cute hairpins, we will explore here online clothing websites like Forever 21 if you’re looking for fashionable alternatives.

About Forever 21

The American brand Forever 21 was founded in 1984 in Los Angeles. Powered by the young Californian crowds, the brand has quickly become one of the most influential fashion brands. Countless cropped tops, mini-skirts, and accessories are the product of a fast-moving fashion industry in which Forever 21, with its sustainable engagement and reactivity to customers’ needs, flourishes.

No act is too small to protect the planet, and the motto is incorporated into each area of the company. 100% recyclable and reusable plastic and paper bags in many Forever 21 stores, donations to the American Forests Association, and one of California’s largest solar power installations for the headquarters begin this sustainable process.

With over 14 million followers on Instagram, Forever 21 is one of the hottest brands for fashion enthusiasts right now. The company has managed to rank among the most popular brands today, with a revenue in 2020 amounting to over $400 million.

Despite the extensive collection regularly renewed by Forever 21, the company has shut down many of its stores in the past years. If you’re into the nineties style displayed in many of the brand’s clothes and accessories, it is well worth exploring other brands like Forever 21.

Style

The Forever 21 collection comprises basics and seasonal clothes and accessories that are colorful and young. The clothes are thought for layering to follow fashion trends heavily influenced by the ’90s and the 2000s. Bombers, boyfriend jeans, stilettos for the ladies, short jackets, chino pants, and sneakers are some of the items you can shop at Forever 21 at a very affordable price.

Budget

The budget is kept on the low when it comes to Forever 21’s designs, with most items ranging from roughly $10 to $30. Discounts are recurring, with plenty of 24-hour deals and sales going on at any time of the year, making it easy to build yourself a new wardrobe affordably.

Target Consumers

Forever 21 targets the younger generation, with clothes perfect for ages 13-25. The brand was created with 30 and 40-year-old people with the idea that you can be forever 21 in their clothes. Still, the patterns and colorful use of trendy fabrics have built up a young reputation. While the designs are pretty easygoing, Forever 21 also carries a full activewear line and a plus-size range, setting themselves as an inclusive fashion brand.

20 Brands Like Forever 21

Yet, since the brand has been shutting down stores, mainly in Europe over the past few years, it is fair to wonder what other stores like Forever 21 fashion freaks can now shop from. Besides, who doesn’t want trendy and affordable clothing?

1. Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters is a US-based company that strives to provide trendy items for fashionistas. The American varsity slash high school vibe is what mainly characterizes brands like Forever 21 and caters to their young customer target. Sustainable moves lie at the multinational company’s core, present in over 100 countries, such as upcycling and recycling used objects into stores’ décor.

Much like department stores, Urban Outfitters sells a variety of underdog fashion brands that are taking the world by storm; Patagonia, Fjällräven, or Hydro Flask, all acting towards a cleaner environment.

Although Urban Outfitters focuses on trendy clothes and accessories, their offer very much revolves around 90s style, with puffy jackets, mom jeans, and colorblock pieces. Over the years, Urban Outfitters has added a beauty section to their collection, selling trendy makeup brands like BH Cosmetics. The home and stationery section is also colorful and stylish, making Urban Outfitters an almost one-stop shop for in-vogue peeps.

2. Rue21

Continuing our list of brands like Forever 21 with Rue21. Rue21 is one of the online clothing websites like Forever 21 where the collections are primarily aimed at the young crowd. With crop tops and male tees at less than $4 on sale, the inexpensive range can help you build a wardrobe without the hassle of splurging.

The brand boasts a party-like atmosphere that follows Instagram influencers’ popularity. Connected, fun, bold, and confident – Rue21’s cool clothing is accessible to everyone. Although the company closed 400 stores in 2017, the unexpected designs have helped pick things up. Notably, the loyalty program currently rewards 2.8 million Rue21 members, along with special sales and regular clearance.

3. H&M

H&M is a Swedish clothing brand founded in 1947 that commits to a better fashion future that mixes fast fashion while continuously improving its sustainability process. Out of all the stores similar to Forever 21, H&M is the most classic one. Their collections are designed for men, women, and kids, with an exquisite home section filled with candles and frames that give out an elegant atmosphere at an affordable price. Undoubtedly, they have fashionable clothes that suit everyone.

As well as being a fair and equal company, H&M works on becoming an ever more positive company that scales innovative solutions in terms of climate change and workers’ rights. In their range, basic tees for women cost as little as $6. You can shop lingerie, shoes, makeup, and accessories with recurring deals for both members and non-members of the H&M loyalty program. Shop from the Logg and Divided sections for even trendier designs, updated regularly to meet new trends standards.

4. MissGuided

While MissGuided efforts are more focused on party-like, sexier bits, it’s one of the online stores like Forever 21 in which collections are accessible to anyone. The goal is to empower females, their core target. It’s no wonder why the designs bear such a strong influence of social media, popular culture, and street style – and it’s well-reflected in the MissGuided range, which is renewed with 1000 latest styles each week roughly priced like Forever 21’s.

MissGuided set out on the conquest of the fashion world in 2009, with a loan of £50K. Today, it is one of the most influential fashion platforms in the world. The combination of attractive fast fashion and a focus on ethical sourcing and modern slavery lingers in millennial women’s hearts, and you can find your share of skinny jeans, party dresses, Missguided makeup, and high heels for every occasion on the website. At the same time, their products are affordable!

5. NastyGal

As far as brands like Forever 21 go, NastyGal has got to be the party-oriented one. The prices are roughly the same as Forever 21, with clothes and accessories that every party girl can adopt. From 2006 to 2021, NastyGal has built an international empire that sells its clothes in over 60 countries. The online store has many different pieces that one might want in their wardrobe.

NastyGal is one of the Los Angeles-based brands that work towards upgrading the sustainability of the fashion industry, and they do so transparently. A fully sustainable collection has popped up recently on the 2012 “fastest-growing retailer’s” website (INC Magazine). What’s more, from plus-size to staple pieces, there’s a bit for everyone in the NastyGal collection. If you’re looking for cool style, tight dresses, flowy oversized 90s items, and of course, stunning bodysuits, it’s one of the Forever 21 competitors you should look out for.

6. Charlotte Russe

Charlotte Russe is one of the brands like Forever 21 that truly breathes American fashion style. It’s also one of the cheapest brands of all, with incredible designs that will make you wish – sometimes – that you were 18 again. Indeed, Charlotte Russe caters mainly to 13 to 25-year-old ladies, with flowy dresses and a wide range of playful printed sweatshirts.

In terms of budget, Charlotte Russe focuses on affordability, so much so that many of the items are cheaper than Forever 21’s. The boho, eclectic vibe surrounding the US-based company is a great alternative to other mainstream brands if you’re looking for fun, hippie-like clothes and accessories with a touch of fun.

7. Mixology

If you aspire for a true all-American style, NYC-based Mixology is your next destination. Among all the stores similar to Forever 21, Mixology is the “cute but sexy” brand. From carefully thought out everyday staples to soft and shiny dresses, Mixology retails designer brands like Zoe Belle, Brooklyn Karma, or Jac Parker.

The clothes’ prices are barely higher than Forever 21, with items designed for a slightly more mature crowd. Plus, Mixology is a fully female-oriented brand, with a focus on doing “good things”. The motto? “When everything changes, we invest in things that stay the same”, including good people, good decisions, and good clothes. If you’re more of a laidback soul, Mixology’s popular rompers and jumpsuits should cater to your fashion cravings.

8. Lulus

Lulus is a US-based boutique that specializes in crafting feminine designs. Some of their bestsellers include their dresses, easily recognizable designs made with care and quality fabrics. From recurring deals and sales to student discounts, you can get quite any style you need for work and parties. “Cute” is the term that would coin the best Lulus offer, which now includes a plus-size and a bridal section.

From the coolest swimwear to sparkly dresses, Lulus has it all. The cute edge is a strong asset of the brand that is big on trust in business. Ethics they abide by requiring the direct suppliers to comply with wage and hour laws, child labor, and slavery laws. Out of all the shopping sites like Forever 21, Lulus is a great alternative for everyday clothing that empowers your femininity. You can read our Lulus review for more information!

9. Chicloth

If you’re more on the sophisticated side of streetwear, Chicloth is one of the clothing brands like Forever 21 that will cater to your trendy needs. A legal bridal retailer, the brand’s core activity is making dresses. Prom, bridal, midi, or maxi – all the dresses you need are displayed on the Chicloth website. Every week, the store is upgraded with over 350 new items, feeding our fashion-savvy imagination.

If you’re familiar with the likes of SheIn or Romwe, Chicloth ranges in the same budget area. While they carry mainly dresses, you can also get some cute bodysuits, shoes, and jewelry from the brand’s website, and there is a plus-size section filled with regularly discounted jumpsuits, dresses, and tops.

 10. American Eagle

American Eagle is one of the sites like Forever 21 you go to because of its popular range of designs. The casual selection of cool clothes caters to a somewhat older crowd than Forever 21, with both fun and classic, everyday clothes. For almost 40 years, American Eagle Outfitters has put the focus on a strong denim tradition. Yet, it is their hoodies and T-shirt collections that have helped American Eagle rank at the top of affordable fashion brands.

Both men and women can find easy-going clothes crafted for young adults with a fun-loving attitude. The prices at American Eagle are slightly higher than Forever 21’s. However, there are a lot of recurring deals and sales that will allow you to get a new pair of jeans or hoodies at a great price. What’s even more interesting are the sustainable actions American Eagle undertakes to better their carbon footprint, such as reducing water use in jeans production, one of the most polluting fashion processes of all.

11. Berry Look

While some of the sites like Forever 21 included in this list are American, some are Chinese, like the famous BerryLook. The website looks very much like other famous clothing stores like Zaful, Romwe, and SheIn, and carries a slightly more expensive range aimed at a more mature crowd.

Over a certain order total, BerryLook offers special discounts that range from 8% off to a stunning 20% off. You can find deals of the like at any moment of the year and snatch some of the most chic clothes and accessories at a fraction of the cost. Their outerwear section, in particular, is one of the priciest collections, yet it is also one of the trendiest.

12. Romwe

Like BerryLook and other Asia-based brands like Forever 21, Romwe focuses on putting out as many fashionable designs as possible in short amounts of time. Owned by Shein, Romwe is a great alternative to Forever 21 if you’re looking for cute staples and sexy bits. The fashion retailer carries a wide range of clothes, shoes, and even home and pet accessories that make it easy to shop all you need in one go.

The trendy collections aim at both men and women, and since Asian sizes are different from American and European ones, we would suggest paying attention to sizing charts. Budget-wise, shopping from Romwe will not break the bank: you can easily get terrific sweatpants for around $15, and a new winter dress for around $20. With the ongoing deals that Romwe has going on all year round, the trendy designs are a definite hit.

13. Cotton On

If you’re looking for great sustainable alternative shopping sites like Forever 21, Cotton On is that new on-point fashion BFF you’ve always wanted. The Australian brand is an impressive blockbuster on the US fashion scene, with over 120 stores in America. Furthermore, to bring the Aussie lifestyle to the world, in a laidback and freeway: Cotton On thrives on living life to the fullest with all-season products.

Cotton On takes sustainability seriously, with actions taken regularly to make a positive impact on the planet while renewing your wardrobe. Ethics also lie at the heart of the Aussie fashion brand, empowering both their male and female customer bases to express their individuality fully. With their high-quality fabrics, Cotton On clothes are definitely priced higher than Forever 21, while offering technical compression clothes, activewear, and modern basics for all.

14. 2020 Ave

More and more clothing stores like Forever 21 are popping up and expressing their inclusivity with curvy and male sections. The Los Angeles-based brand 2020 Ave is one of those. Along with their great range of plus-size sections, 2020 Ave offers everyday women’s clothes that span over ranges like Super Soft, Premium, and a wide range of cute jewelry.

If you’re looking for alternatives to Forever 2021, 2020 Ave is a great place to start. The prices are set higher than Forever 21, and you can get very stylish elevated athleisure and corduroy items meant to last you years.

15. Tobi

Lots of Los Angeles-based fashion shopping sites like Forever 21 focus on spreading the Californian laidback vibes in their clothes. Fast fashion retailer Tobi is one of the most influential brands on Instagram, with the following base tickling half a million followers. The cool basics and sober staples are crafted in such a way that every easygoing person wants to shop there.

The target customers are mainly young females that can get a cute short skirt or a hoodie for those cool Saturdays spent with friends at the mall. The best thing is that you can get 50% off your order when you sign up for the Tobi newsletter, and there are recurring sales that allow you to get the coolest basic outfits at an even more affordable price.

16. Princess Polly

A list of shops like Forever 21 would not be complete without Princess Polly. The affordable Australian brand adds over 100 new styles and strives to do improve its impact on the planet with compostable packaging, donations, and strict compliance with worker rights laws. In case you’re looking for cute feminine designs, Princess Polly seemingly carries anything you might need from cocktail dresses to mini skirts.

Prices range from well under $10 for basic tops to over $100 for some more sophisticated jackets. One thing is for sure, fashion enthusiasts looking to up their style game will find Princess Polly is a great alternative to Forever 21.

17. Pretty Little Thing

Pretty Little Thing is one of the clothing stores like Forever 21 that takes care of true fashionistas’ wardrobes. Items made to layer or party – from crop tops too tight jumpsuits, the whole of the collection shouts “sexy”. Over the years, Pretty Little Thing has also added to its amazing fashion range a number of trendy makeup brands like Morphe and Iconic London.

Their influence on social media is a mere hint at Pretty Little Thing’s popularity. Over 17 million followers on Instagram follow the brand’s lookbooks and fashion updates, and of course, countless sales. If you want to snatch one or two sexy bodycon dresses, you can do so at a fraction of the cost, at any time of the year. Plus, Pretty Little Thing offers free shipping over $50 and a 10% discount for students. For the bold and confident only.

18. Madewell

Madewell is one of the sites like forever 21 that is most responsibly social. Not only are 58% of their famous denim jeans fair trade, but the company strives in sourcing ethical, responsible raw materials. If you’re looking for a higher-quality alternative to other affordable fashion brands, take a look at Madewell. Although its prices are slightly higher than Forever 21, Madewell Insider, the brand’s loyalty program, allows you to snatch the perfect basics for every occasion.

The designs are targeted are a slightly more mature crowd than Forever 21. If you’re looking at basic outfits that will really last in time, the American fashion retailer curates the perfect staples for every occasion, from basic tees to jeans and jackets. Males and females can both enjoy the selection of clothes, shoes, and accessories carried by Madewell.

19. Everlane

If you’re looking for clothing stores like Forever 21 that emphasize environmentally friendly and ethical processes, Everlane is your guy. More and more people are looking for ways to maximize the impact of their wardrobe while downsizing the effect that fast fashion has on the planet. Each product is carefully thought out in terms of waste, plastics, and chemicals use so that customers can enjoy their Everlane clothes longer.

No plastic reduced waste and elevated casual designs for everyday make up the core of the Everlane brand. The company commits to lowering its carbon footprint with goals such as reducing its carbon emissions by 55% per product by 2030 and zero net emissions by 2050. If you’re moving in the same sustainable direction, their modern staples are definitely for you. Make sure you read our Everlane review to discover more about the brand!

20. The GAP

The GAP, also known as Gap, started out in 1969 as a community endeavor. The goal was to better the communities and people wearing Gap, with durable designs that can dress you for every occasion. The USA-based multinational owns several brands, from Gap to the Banana Republic and Old Navy. All focus on a classic, cool American fashion that you can slip on effortlessly.

Gap is famous for their kid’s clothes and denim jeans which you can shop on sale at weekends on the brand’s website. Today, there are over 3.000 Gap stores across the world which dominate the casual-cool fashion experience for babies to men and women.

Editors Verdict – Brands like Forever 21

Forever 21 offers some of the trendiest fashion clothes and accessories, targeted at a younger generation of fun lovers. It is up to you to choose between party-oriented brands like Pretty Little Thing or NastyGal, or see if you’d rather go classic with H&M basics. There are plenty of online stores like Forever 21, some with very affordable prices and recurring deals all year round. If you’d rather go sustainable, look out for Everlane, one of our top choices. If you’re looking for more roundups, make sure you check our list of brands like Gymshark for sportswear or the list of 15 top luxury fashion brands.

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