Forever 21: Cheap or chic?

As college students on a budget, we have a challenge when it comes to shopping for clothes, shoes and accessories. We desire the latest and trendiest looks but can't seem to afford the high prices. Forever 21 seems to be the perfect answer but there must be a catch, right? Sure the prices are affordable, some may even say cheap, for clothes that are inspired by runway looks. Forever 21 is a good example of one-stop shopping. They carry all types of clothing, accessories, shoes, jewelry, etc. What else can a girl ask for from a store?

I am usually impressed by how many cute outfits I can put together for a reasonable price. Whereas you can spend $50 for just one top at stores like Abercrombie & Fitch or Bebe, you can get an entire outfit plus accessories for the same price at Forever 21. We all know that trends come and go quickly, and this only adds to the challenge. Do we want to invest $200 in that tiny clutch that will only be in style for one season or buy a similar bag for much less?

I draw many of my clothing inspirations from fashion magazines. I like to see what the trends are and follow them without breaking the bank. Although I love admiring the couture clothing, I know I will never be able to afford those looks. Seventeen magazine displays the latest runway looks and helps the reader to create the look for less. They often feature clothing and accessories from Forever 21. This fall, when gold and metallic accessories were in, I picked up some gold necklaces and bangle bracelets at Forever 21. I was able to accessorize for less than $20!

As women, we also strive to look good at all times. This does not come cheap. We need to have the right style for all aspects of our day from the gym, to class, to work. Forever 21 carries both casual and dressy clothes for any occasion. We can find an outfit to wear to our internship or a night out for a great price. We want to look the part for whatever role we are currently playing and Forever 21 makes this goal seam reachable.

One of the main reasons I like Forever 21 so much is because they constantly are getting in new merchandise. They seem to be on top of the trends and know when to bring in new styles for their shopper.

With all these positives, Forever 21 must be flawed in some way. Yes, customers may get the latest looks, but they will probably only get to wear them a few times. The quality of Forever 21 clothing is not the best and that's why the prices are so low.

So as consumers we have yet another decision to make. We can choose to shop on a budget and get what we want from stores like Forever 21 and sacrifice quality or we can spend a lot more money at higher-quality stores for similar looks. This is somewhat of a double-edged sword. We can't seem to get both things we want: great and trendy clothing at a reasonable price and apparel that is durable and will last us for an entire season. We are going to have to give up one of these oh so important elements.

For clothes that I know I am going to wear only a handful of times, I don't mind going to Forever 21. It seems like a much better solution than spending a lot of money. For special occasion outfits that we will probably never wear again, it's okay to give up quality. However, the choice is yours. Consider the pros and cons of Forever 21 and decide if it has a place in your wardrobe. Good luck and stay fashionable!