Friday, November 22, 2024

Love Free People? Shop these affordable lookalikes for less

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We love Free People *so* much, we wish it was free.

One can dream, right? While we adore the brand for its quality and boho-chic, cozy styles, the price tags can slowly morph into hundreds of dollars when it’s time to view your checkout cart.

Buzzy, best-selling items like its repertoire of maxi dresses and jeans tend to sell out quickly but don’t fret. The Post Wanted shopping team pulled together our list of must-have lookalikes that you can love for less.

RELATED: Best vacation clothing brands we reviewed

Below, find all of the specific styles you can shop that reflect the tried-and-true Free People style. Hey, we’re all about the brand, but sometimes we want that tank top or that skirt for far, far less coin.


Free People

Pros:

  • Less than half the price of the original
  • Looks just like the Free People version
  • Many color options

Cons:

  • White pants are a little see-through

“This set was all over my for you page last summer, and I pulled the trigger on the affordable Amazon version for Prime Day 2023,” Meaghan Roche, senior commerce SEO manager, shared. “The look and feel of this sweater set truly is almost as good as Free People, and Anrabess nailed this one.”

It’s so comfortable (the perfect travel outfit), can be dressed up or down, and can be styled as a set or separates. “Although the top is boxy, it’s very flattering with a slight funnel neckline and thicker rib knit,” she said. “The wide-leg pants with pockets are a dream for summer; they’re the perfect lightweight feel and accentuate the waist with a wide band and gather at the ankles.”

What’s more, the quality of the Amazon version also really stands out, as Roche has had it for nearly a year and it doesn’t have any pulls, snags, or signs of it wearing down. The fit is true to size as well and guaranteed to earn you compliments.



Free People Essential Extreme Tee Mini
Free People

Pros:

  • One of the most affordable lookalikes on this list
  • Extremely comfortable
  • Doubles as loungewear or pajamas

If there’s one affordable lookalike you pick up, let it be the Aerie Oversized Boyfriend T-Shirt. The brand has been a staple of mine since middle school and still remains in my dresser drawer, purely for its comfort and well-made material.

For the price, you can grab at least two oversized tees for the price of one Free People item. I love to wear my Aerie top to bed as it feels like I’m sleeping on a cloud. It’s extremely versatile for that reason, as you can pair them with pajama shorts or with your favorite leggings.

While the top does stretch around the neckline, it’s still a fabulous oversized buy. For the price, it has lasted me for more than one year and continues to be a much-worn item of mine.



Free People Hot Shot Onesie
Free People

Pros:

  • Has garnered more than 1,000 rave reviews on Amazon
  • Various colors to choose from
  • Wonderful for layering, just like the Free People option

Cons:

  • Some reviewers say it runs large

There’s none other like the acclaimed Free People Hot Shot Onesie — but we found a *very* similar style that you can pick up straight from Amazon. The Lentta Stretchy Jumpsuit with Pockets is more than half the price, comes in a buffet of colors, and touts more than 1,000 rave reviews among happy shoppers.

As you can imagine, it’s wonderful for layering, whether that’s with a white T-shirt or a sports bra. While some reviewers note that it runs large, it may be an extra brownie point for some to accentuate its oversized nature.



Free People Never Better Bike Shorts
Free People

Pros:

  • One of the most spot-on lookalikes on this list
  • Completely covers your bum and holds you in place
  • Holds up well in the wash

Cons:

  • Not as many colors to choose from as Free People

What do we look for in biker shorts? Comfort, hold, and color. The Halara High-Waisted Side Pocket Biker Shorts are a surefire lookalike to Free People’s style and for nearly 50% off. From just a glance, they look identical.

What’s great about Halara’s version is that they hold up well in the wash. They’re also quite modest yet offer a flattering fit, which is what we love most about them.

While Halara doesn’t offer as many colors to choose from, it’s not a dealbreaker, especially when price is considered. If you’re on a budget but don’t want to compromise quality or fit, lean into Halara.



Free People We The Free Pandora Wide-Leg Jeans
Free People

Pros:

  • Available in regular, tall and short styles
  • Excellent for pairing with white sneakers or heels alike
  • Quite generous size range

Cons:

  • Not as boho flared as the Free People style

Of course, Free People’s boho-chic jeans make quite the commotion. Luckily, the EXPRESS Mid Rise Raw Hem 70s Flare Jeans are the next best pair. While not as flared as Free People’s style, they exude the same aesthetic.

I’ve been a fan of EXPRESS jeans for as long as I can remember, specifically the brand’s high-waisted and flare styles. They’re great to dress down with white sneakers or to amp up with heels. Plus, EXPRESS features a generous size range.

If you want something that’s show-stopping but not completely outside your comfort level, shop this EXPRESS pair for less.



Free People Feliz Maxi
Free People

Pros:

  • Boasts a comfortable material with a slit
  • More colors to choose from than the Free People style
  • Excellent material for the price

Cons:

  • Doesn’t have as flattering of an upper than the Free People style, though is more modest

You don’t have to spend close to $100 on a maxi dress, plain and simple. In fact, the Cupshe Side Slit Maxi Dress proves that point as it’s way more affordable and pretty much the same exact thing.

With more colors to choose from than the Free People style, Cupshe’s to-the-floor dress is just as fitting for your next tropical beach vacation. From experience, the brand holds a true-to-size fit.

While it doesn’t have as flattering of an upper than the Free People style, it’s more modest, which may be a checkmark in its favor for some.



Free People Dolman Quilted Knit Jacket
Free People

Pros:

  • Pretty spot-on lookalike
  • Much more affordable than the Free People style
  • Lightweight and comes in lovely colors

Cons:

  • Isn’t made of 100% cotton like the Free People style (instead, it’s polyester)

We adore the Free People Dolman Quilted Knit Jacket, but the Omoone Quilted Puffer Jacket is one you certainly shouldn’t skip. Right from Amazon, you’d be remiss to ignore this less-than-$50 piece of outerwear that’s quite exact, to say the least.

The price difference is astounding but, more than that, it’s lightweight and comes in lovely colors. Breathable yet warm, you’ll love its collar and all-over texture.

It’s not made of 100% cotton like the Free People style, though its polyester is said to be of great quality. Overall, we’d say it’s worth the add-to-cart maneuver.



Free People Good Karma Bodysuit
Free People

Pros:

  • Excellent quality for the price
  • Can be dressed up or down
  • True-to-size fit

Cons:

  • Doesn’t have the criss-cross detailing like the Free People style

I believe in good karma, which is why Lulus has blessed us with its Symbolize Sleeveless Bodysuit that’s just like the Free People Good Karma Bodysuit. However, it doesn’t have the criss-cross back detailing, but we love the Lulus option all the same.

What’s great about Lulus — and why it’s one of my favorite destinations for women’s fashion — is its true-to-size fit. The quality is also excellent for the price, and you’ll love how this bodysuit is versatile, much like the Free People option.

I love Lulus for bodysuits as they last for years and years. My drawer is stocked with them, actually, and they pair well with all of my shorts and skirts.



Free People Love Letter Cami
Free People

Pros:

  • The most exact lookalike on this list
  • Available in a wealth of colors
  • True-to-size fit

Drumroll please, for the most exact lookalike on this list. The Free People Love Letter Cami is now more affordable with the Ziesexy Cami Tank Top that you can pick up on Amazon.

Even better, it comes in a span of shades to choose from, all with the same texture and wide straps as Free People’s top. It’s said to be true to size as well, so you’ll want to stock up on multiple.

The one con is that it isn’t available in plus sizes, though you can find it up to a size large.



Free People Brielle Printed Romper
Free People

Pros:

  • Much more affordable than the Free People style
  • Covers your bum more than the Free People style
  • Available in several colors to choose from

Cons:

  • Isn’t available in petite sizes (i.e. XXS)

Oh, how we love the Free People Brielle Printed Romper. It’s a floral-printed romper filled with feminine flair, but the Amiliashp V-Neck Floral Romper is another great option that’s more than $100 less. Pretty spectacular, right?

We actually like it a bit better (hey, we’re honest here) because it covers your bum more than the Free People style. So yes, you can wear it around grandma.

It’s also available in plenty of colors to add to your cart. However, you won’t find petite sizes. The one-piece outfit comes in XS, though.


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