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• Online shopping never looked so good

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The life of a college student can sometimes be overwhelming, hectic and busy between classes, clubs, activities and trying to maintain a relatively bumping social life. So, it makes sense that finding time to take care of and treat ourselves with (highly essential) shopping trips is a challenge – which is even harder on a student budget or with no access to a car. Thankfully, we have this convenient thing called online shopping, something that should be every college student’s best friend and most beloved shopping release.

Finding reliable online shops, however, is not always the easiest task. Is the quality like the pictures depict? Factoring in shipping expenses? You get the point. That’s why it’s important to know which sites you can count on for quality and to be wallet friendly.

For all the girls out there in the CU, lulus.com is THE site to go to for cheap, trendy, sometimes a little out there, but mostly cute going out and everyday clothes, shoes, accessories, purses - you name it they’ve got it. “It’ a great place to shop because it’s relatively inexpensive, they have a good shipping policy (free shipping for purchases of $75 or more), and you get relatively good quality for the price you pay,” said shopper Kelly Graham, sophomore in Business. New items are added almost everyday so it’s impossible to get bored with this site!

Appealing to both sexes, swell.com, is an online retailer of lines like Billabong, Roxy, Free People, Hurley, Volcom and other brands of that surfing sort. It has a more relaxed vibe, which makes its inventory perfect for everyday wear by college students, especially in this warmer weather. Prices are mostly affordable on items from sweaters to t-shirts to hats to shoes. This will be go to site for all students in the onset spring!

Two stores that are actually located in Champaign, Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters might offer a better shopping experience through their respective websites, forever21.com and urbanoutfitters.com. “I like shopping at Urban (Outfitters) online because they usually have more options available and a better sale section than in stores. It's also much easier to find things in the right sizes,” said Allison Sackett, sophomore in Business. Sackett said she has the same feelings about forever21.com, which is why she chooses to shop online rather than in the stores themselves. An added bonus is that if you order from the website and the items don’t work out, they can be returned in stores so return shipping is not a concern.

For shipping policies on men’s and women’s shoes that can’t be beat, endless.com offers a free two day shipping on most items. This is the perfect website if you’re in need of a pair of shoes (heels to athletic training shoes) for a quickly approaching occasion, but they also sell accessories and bags to accompany for the same, free two day shipping. Try and beat that!

With all of these great online shopping destinations and others like them (alloy.com, delias.com, fredflare.com and modcloth.com, just to name a few) it helps to sign up for their emailing lists. Doing so gives you VIP access for sale events, discount codes and other enticing deals. Bookmarking these sites will help cure the days of the shopping blues – despite scarce free time and a sadly, thinly padded wallet.