These Under-$100 Nasty Gal Pieces Caught My Attention, so I Decided to Try Them

Ever since Sophia Amoruso first started the brand in 2012, Nasty Gal has been a poignant memory of my early adulthood. It was like a prelude to the wave of Instagram brands we see a lot of now—where buying into the biggest social media–driven trends is only a matter of opening an app. When I was a college student on a shoestring budget, Nasty Gal was a regular part of my wardrobe, especially when club-hopping was on the agenda. Then, through a series of unfortunate events, the company went bankrupt in 2016 and later became another retail arm of Boohoo's fashion empire.

Since its demise, I admittedly forgot about it. A slew of trendy, affordable fashion brands launched in the meantime, and I started to look elsewhere. But as shopping became a part of my daily routine as a market editor, Nasty Gal became a name that repeatedly blipped across my radar again. In the years since I last shopped the site, it's undergone a transformation. The selection has become more "adult" with more timeless staples, and the brand has revved up its offerings with the addition of timely collaborations. (Celebrity stylist Maeve Reilly's collab was the most recent.) Ultimately, the refocus from teeny-bopper fashions to more elevated trends compelled me to give it another chance and see if it's another brand I should add to my current shopping Rolodex. 

To give me (and all of you, of course) an idea, I ordered a bunch of items and took them on a test run. For my honest thoughts and a review of which finds came out on top, keep scrolling.

Oversized Faux-Leather Zip Aviator Jacket

I'm calling this jacket the crown jewel of this entire haul. Why? The second I put it on, the compliments started rolling in. Even my trend-savvy co-workers thought it was an expensive shearling jacket. The faux leather is so buttery soft, and the construction is so good that it looks way more expensive than it is. I'm so head over heels for this jacket, and I've even contemplated buying a second one as a backup. In short, I can't recommend this enough, especially since it's now less than $90.

Seam-Detail Midi Dress

I've been obsessed with exposed-seam clothes for a bit, so once I spotted this dress on the site, I clicked on it immediately. Although the material is not the softest, it is surprisingly thick, and I didn't find it necessary to wear a slip at all. So far, I've worn it out to weekend brunch with friends, on a dinner date, and to a few work events with no complaints. Of the haul, this dress ranked high on my list of favorites. 

Faux-Leather Split-Hem Pants

Being a curvy girl, I take a deep breath every time I try a new pair of pants from a brand I'm unfamiliar with. Honestly, I had low expectations before I slipped these on, but wow, I was impressed. The quality rivals some of the best affordable faux-leather pants I've tried, and I definitely appreciated the added stretch. I usually don't go for light-colored leather, but I've been wearing these nonstop.

Oversized Faux-Leather Trench Coat

I really didn't need another leather trench coat, but what can I say? I'm obsessed. I will say that this one is unlike any other I own due to its padded shoulders. The addition of an exaggerated shoulder gives this trench a more designer feel, adding structure to an otherwise unstructured piece. The faux leather on this coat is a little shinier than genuine leather, but in the right shade (I'd recommend brown), it can pass for a more expensive piece.

Recycled Maxi Dress and Cropped Cardigan Set

I'm all for cozy sets right now, and a shrug-dress combo seems like a perfect pairing for looking elevated without an actual waistband. Ultimately, you'd never guess this was only $33 just by how comfy and soft the knit material is. The slit is a little high, so be prepared to show off your best pair of boots or heels. 

Herringbone Tailored Suit

There's always a time and place where a cool suit is necessary, so I ordered this with the intent of it being my go-to laid-back event outfit. Both the pants and blazer run more oversize than the standard, so keep that in mind if you end up adding this to your closet. I love that I can wear the pieces separately or together for a cool-girl combo.

Tailored Wide-Leg High-Waisted Pants

Simple tailored pants are a huge thing right now, but finding the right pair is not as simple as it seems. While I appreciate the high waist on these, I came away wishing the material was a little more structured like a pair of suit trousers. The placement of the pleats also wasn't my favorite, but I wonder if sizing up could eliminate the problem of the gathered pleats. All in all, these are solid for relaxed days when you want to look a step up from wearing sweatpants.

Zebra Backless Knit Top

Colorblock Frayed-Seam Wide-Leg Jeans

Slinky Open-Back Long-Sleeve Midi Dress

Shop More Finds on My Nasty Gal Wish List

Next up: These Cult Pieces Are Officially Instagram Famous, and They're So Good