As a gift editor at Good Housekeeping and a fashion lover, I’m not ashamed to admit that I spend a lot of time browsing Amazon Fashion. Whether I’m searching for an affordable way to achieve this season’s latest trends or frantically scouring Amazon for the best gifts, you’ll find me scouring countless pages of clothing and accessories to find the very best deals (no complaints!).
When I was younger, I was obsessed with fashion brands and believed that quality always came with a high price. However, my thinking changed when I started buying clothes on Amazon. After being disappointed by a few low-quality products, I decided to be more cautious. I started reading customer reviews more thoroughly, focusing on photos of everyday shoppers rather than overly edited product images, and carefully analyzing fabric descriptions to ensure quality.
Like me, many GH readers turn to the online retail giant to find affordable fashion, so I’m here to share some of the best Amazon fashion shopping hacks and tips I’ve learned over the years to help you snag the best deals. I also asked GH’s resident sales and deals expert, Jacqueline Saguin, and personal stylist at The New York Stylist, Liz Teich, for their input. Between the three of us, we’ve spent hundreds of hours browsing and shopping on Amazon, so it’s safe to say we’re knowledgeable.
Remember these shopping tips and you’ll soon be a pro at finding Amazon gems and minimizing returns.
1. Know when your favorite brands are on sale.
Step one is knowing what products you’re looking for and when they’ll go on sale. Big sales events like Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day are great opportunities to save on popular brands like Levi’s, Calvin Klein, and Coach. However, the best deals come from Amazon’s own brands. “Amazon’s own brands, like Amazon Basics and The Drop, often have deep discounts during big events like Black Friday and Prime Day,” says Sagin. “Plus, Amazon offers a ‘pay later’ option on certain products, allowing you to try them on at home and return them without paying a fee.”
2. Add to Cart before purchasing.
Amazon has a handy feature that lets you save items for later, and it keeps track of sale start dates and in-stock availability. Whether it’s that trendy dress you keep seeing on your commute to work or that roomy leather tote bag your friend raves about for traveling, creating a list before you start shopping can save you both time and money.
3. Screenshots, screenshots, screenshots.
If you’ve ever spent hours searching Amazon for a product you desperately want, this tip is for you: Teich suggests taking a screenshot and running it through a Google Image search to see if Amazon is offering a similar item for a cheaper price. This is a quick and easy way to find the exact product you’re looking for, or a very similar but more affordable alternative.
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4. Use the Amazon app wisely.
When using the Amazon app, Teik likes to run images from Instagram and Pinterest through Amazon Lens, a visual search tool, to find similar products. He can even use barcodes to find matching items. Even better, the tool is advanced enough to let you create entire outfits. “It’s a really great way to find what you’re looking for on Amazon without the guesswork,” Teik says.
5. Follow content creators’ storefronts.
If you’re obsessed with a particular content creator’s style, try following their Amazon storefront to check out their favorite products (Teich’s latest storefront is worth a look). This visually appealing format allows you to explore recommended products without feeling overwhelmed. You can even tune into their live streams to see your favorite fashion picks and accessories in action.
6. Always scrutinize customer reviews.
It may seem obvious, but when shopping on Amazon, it’s essential to read reviews and look at customer photos. It’s also wise to check the overall rating and number of purchases for a product, and make sure the reviews are from verified buyers.
This way, you can avoid buying something that doesn’t fit. “We rely heavily on reviews to get an accurate sense of sizing,” says Sagin.
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7. Check the ingredients.
You don’t need to become a textile expert, but knowing basic clothing materials can make a big difference in your shopping decisions. To spend your money wisely, avoid cheap fabrics like polyester. “Instead, look for materials like 100% organic or Pima cotton, linen, lyocell and viscose,” advises Teik. “To ensure quality and the best value for money, avoid anything made with polyester, rayon or polyurethane.”
8. Save money on accessories.
Teik recommends saving on accessories when shopping on Amazon, especially trendy items that may be out of style by next season. She found that many of the sunglasses on Amazon are made from the same plastic as luxury brands — without the hefty price tag. Plus, some bags, like those from JW PEI, exude a designer vibe at a cheaper price. “JW PEI has amazing bags that are easily indistinguishable from designer pieces,” Teik says. “I had a client who had some bags in her closet that she initially mistook for designer handbags from afar!”
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It’s wise not to skimp on shoes, as well-made shoes will last longer and be more comfortable. But there’s one brand that Teik recommends buying from Amazon. “I don’t usually buy cheap shoes because I think it’s important to buy quality shoes, but Feiyu’s sneakers are usually under $50 and are modeled after martial arts shoes, so they’re super comfortable,” Teik says. “The whole family wears them!”
9. Skip any items that require tailoring.
Teich is a big fan of shopping on Amazon, but he says it’s best to avoid anything that requires tailoring (think blazers or jackets). Let’s be honest, how many times have you bought an item with the intention of taking it to your local tailor only for it to end up gathering dust in your closet?
10. Enjoy the thrill of the hunt.
Teik has had success shopping for his clients on Amazon, but he’s also picked up a few treasures for himself in the process. “I wanted a sparkly, rhinestone designer bag to wear to a holiday event, but I didn’t want to pay $250 for it, so I turned to Amazon,” Teik says. “It was the best $30 I’ve ever spent, and even now, several years after I bought it, I still enjoy using it.”
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Kaylee Lindberg (she/her) is a writer and editor with over 10 years of experience covering products, lifestyle, entertainment, and food. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, she was a staff writer for Reviewed.com, the USA Today shopping network.
