If you’re dropping hundreds of dollars on clothes and accessories, respectfully, what are you doing? As a college student, I am always trying to find ways to save money. Sadly, my online shopping addiction needs to be satisfied somehow. This is where Amazon comes into play. I used to save money for a single expensive item, but while searching through Amazon and social media, I realized that I can get way more bang for my buck. This made my countless trips to the mailroom to pick up packages feel guilt free because I was spending less money. The best part about it is that I would actually get compliments on my Amazon purchases and people asking where my stuff was from. Little did they know…
With that being said, some of the Amazon goods are unethically sourced and if you have the means, it is better to shop more sustainably. However, as a broke college student, I understand the need to participate in fast fashion.
Now, I am going to let you guys in on my little secret. I searched the world wide web for cute and cheap things on Amazon, so you don’t have to! Enjoy.
Clothes
Leggings (Lululemon Dupes):
Link: Hawthorn Athletic Women’s Essential High Waisted Yoga 7/8 Legging
Price: $20.98-$37.99
Why pay full price for Lululemon Align leggings when these do the trick?! The Lululemon Align leggings cost $98. The material of these Hawthorn leggings feels so soft and similar to Lululemon Aligns, but they are a bit thicker. These are perfect for everyday wear or working out. It also does an amazing job of tucking the belly in, so they are ideal for looking and feeling your best while bettering yourself at the gym.
Workout Shorts (Lululemon Dupes):
Price: $28.00-$30.00
I am obsessed with the way these shorts look and feel. They are perfect for running and are so comfortable. These shorts come in 13 different colors. They are pretty similar to the Lululemon Hotty Hot Shorts because of the length and lightweight material. In addition, these shorts also have the mesh and reflective stripes like the Lululemon Hotty Hot Shorts. The adjustable drawstring ensures a good fit.
Sweatpants:
Price: $23.99
These sweatpants are honestly so comfortable because they are a lighter material and not heavy, so you can be more mobile while wearing them. If you still want to look fashionable on a lazy day in spring, these are perfect. They are baggy and have somewhat deep front pockets with zippers. Also, the material is super soft. They are high-waisted, so you can pair them with a cute crop top for a comfy look.
Lounge set:
Price: $35.99
Loungewear sets have been so in-style recently. You can throw them on without even thinking about it. You put it on and just like that, you have an outfit. Although listed as nightwear, I would wear this out of the house as a comfy look. The price is amazing because it includes both the top and the bottoms. On many other websites, you have to buy the top and bottom separately with much higher prices. This cozy set comes in 10 different colors and is waffle material. This is the ultimate look for Zoom University.
Accessories
Sunglasses:
Link: SOJOS Small Square Polarized Sunglasses for Men and Women Polygon Mirrored Lens
Price: $14.99
Not only do these sunglasses have great protection from the sun, they are also so cute and fashionable. No one would ever know that they cost less than $15. These sunglasses come in 11 different colors which includes some mirrored lenses, but my favorite is the C06 Gold Frame/Grey Lens. They are very good quality and are well-made. In addition, they feel very secure and unlikely to fall off when you are wearing them. They are very similar to Ray-Ban sunglasses that cost $175.
Price: $15.95
These trendy rectangle sunglasses come in a pack of two for such a low price! How insane?! With this purchase, you will get a pair of black sunglasses and a pair of faux tortoiseshell sunglasses. These are very sturdy and thick, so the likelihood of them breaking is very slim. They are very secure and do not fall off easily when on your head. No matter what face shape you have, they will look great. They are definitely a fashion statement. If you wear these, be ready for all the compliments coming your way.
Hair Claw:
Price: $11.99
There are so many different, easy hairstyles you can do with hair claws. So simple, yet so cool. Almost everyday, I throw my hair up in a hair claw because it gets my hair out of my face and looks good while doing it. These specific hair claws are very durable and thick. They can hold a good amount of hair, so you do not have to worry as much about your hair falling out like when you are wearing cheap, flimsy ones. The quality is unmatched.
Other Necessities
Tabletop Vacuum for Crumbs:
Price: $11.98
Hear me out. This is genuinely a genius thing to have. It is so simple to use and super necessary if you are using your desk for multiple purposes (eating, studying, getting ready) in a dorm room. It is great for sucking up food crumbs, erasing shavings, and any other little annoyances that might be all over your desktop. No more sweeping these things to the floor and creating a messier room. Staying clean does not have to be hard.
Waterproof Shower Speaker:
Price: $17.85
Showering just got a whole lot more fun. This bluetooth speaker is waterproof and has buttons on the back so that you don’t have to worry about getting water in your phone trying to change the song. My hallmates and I love to all shower at the same time so that we can blast music and have shower parties. The volume and sound are pretty good quality. Whenever the people in my hall hear music blaring, they know I am in the shower.
Water bottle:
Price: $22.30
These water bottles are so fun and interesting looking. My favorite is the matte black. They do a great job of keeping your drinks cold or hot. It also has a reusable straw, and who doesn’t love sipping out of a straw? Especially when you get to save the turtles while doing it.
Extender:
Price: $19.97
This extender is perfect because it comes with six outlets and two USB holes. The holes are at different angles so that there is actually room to fit all of the different chargers or cords. Around the two central outlets and USB holes, there is a light that can be switched on and off. This has definitely been a necessity for my bathroom. If you are like me, then when you are getting ready to go out, you need every outlet you can find to plug in the necessities: phone charger, hair dryer, hair straightener, speaker charger, etc. I mean I would not suggest doing that or you may blow a fuse… but you get the point: it’s necessary
Overall, Amazon has helped my friends and me save money on a lot of items. This leaves more money for our essentials during college like food, books, and supplies. Sometimes quantity over quality can be a good thing, especially when you are ballin’ on a budget.
Lastly, be careful when participating in fast fashion and educate yourself on the environmental and societal impacts because it is not always the best option.
