Why Your Favorite “Cheap” Stores Aren’t What They Used To Be

Only a few short years ago, it would have been unheard of to walk into a store like Zara, Topshop, or Forever 21 — places we frequented to pick up last-minute pieces that were stylish, but also fit within our budget — and find an item of clothing that cost more than $100. But today, a quick scan through any of the above retailers’ e-commerce sites will regularly lead to a selection of goods that cost upwards of $200 (and occasionally, $2,000). It may seem odd that amidst the $20 T-shirts we tend to think of as impulse-buy fodder are items with prices that rival that of luxury labels. What’s truly surprising, though, isn’t their mere existence — but rather the fact that people are actually buying them. Read more at Refinery 29.