Fashion Nova vs. Misguided: Which brand should you buy?

Fashion Nova is known for its bold, figure-hugging streetwear and clubwear, offering trendy, sexy pieces at extremely low prices. In contrast, Misguided provides a more versatile collection of edgy, chic fashion that blends feminine looks with streetwear, making it suitable for a wider range of occasions.

Let's compare them across key categories to help you decide which fast-fashion brand fits your style and needs.

Fashion Nova: The Brand for Trendy, Body-Conscious Styles

Fashion Nova is a social media-driven fast-fashion giant that excels at creating trendy, inexpensive clothing for a young audience. The brand focuses on providing sexy, curve-flattering styles, particularly with its bodycon dresses, bottoms, and statement pieces often seen on Instagram influencers.

• Product mix: Known for figure-flattering jeans, statement dresses, and club-ready outfits. The aesthetic is unapologetically bold and sexy, focusing on body-conscious silhouettes, cutouts, and vibrant designs.
• Price point: Extremely affordable, with most items priced between $10 and $50. The brand is known for aggressive sales and BOGO deals year-round.
• Sizing/Fit: Offers a wide size range, from XS up to 3X or 4X. The fit is generally designed to be very snug and body-hugging, many shoppers recommend sizing up if you are between sizes or prefer a less skin-tight fit.
• Sales: Constant flash sales, promotional codes, and deep discounts are a core part of its business model. It's rare to pay full price for anything.
• Return policy: You have 30 days to return items for store credit, but customers are responsible for paying the return shipping costs.

Fashion Nova is the go-to for shoppers wanting unapologetically bold, sexy, and trendy outfits at incredibly low prices, known for curve-hugging fits and rapid style turnover.

Shop Fashion Nova: fashionnova.com

Misguided: The Go-To for Edgy & Versatile Fashion

Misguided is a UK-based brand that delivers on-trend, contemporary fashion for young women. Its collections blend streetwear, glam, and casual styles, offering a versatile range of edgy and chic pieces designed for fashion-forward shoppers who want their clothes to transition from day to night.

• Product mix: Offers a broad selection of dresses, tops, outerwear, and activewear. Its aesthetic is a mix of chic, feminine, and edgy, featuring bold prints, tailored pieces, and on-trend silhouettes that feel current but more versatile.
• Price point: Also very affordable, with most items costing between $15 and $60. They have student discounts and seasonal promotions.
• Sizing/Fit: Offers inclusive sizing from UK 6 to UK 24 (roughly a US 2 to 20). Fit can be inconsistent across styles, so checking the detailed size guide and customer reviews is highly recommended.
• Sales: Regular promotions and major seasonal sales are common, but the discounts may not be as constant as Fashion Nova's daily flash deals.
• Return policy: Customers can return items within 28 days of receipt. Depending on the region, the brand offers free returns on select items, a significant benefit.

Misguided strikes a balance between edgy, on-trend pieces and stylishly versatile items, perfect for shoppers who want fashion that works for both a night out and casual hangouts.

Shop Misguided: misguided.com

Fashion Nova vs. Misguided Comparison

Price Comparison

Both brands operate squarely in the affordable fast-fashion market. Fashion Nova arguably wins on aggressive discounting, with seemingly endless flash sales, coupon codes, and site-wide promotions that make its already low prices even lower. It's a brand built for impulse buys.

Misguided is also budget-friendly but uses a more traditional sale model, with seasonal blowouts and occasional promotions. While you can find great deals, the daily deep discounts are more a feature of the Fashion Nova experience.

Quality & Materials

As fast-fashion retailers, neither brand is focused on long-term durability. Quality is decent for the price, but not exceptional. Fashion Nova heavily utilizes stretchy, synthetic fabrics like polyester and spandex blends to achieve its signature figure-hugging fit. The materials prioritize silhouette over longevity.

Misguided uses similar fabrics but often incorporates a more diverse range of textures and finishes, giving some of their clothing a slightly more structured feel. You'll find items that feel more polished, but the overall quality aligns with what's expected from an affordable, trend-focused brand.

Style & Aesthetic

This is the most significant difference between the two companies. Fashion Nova's identity is built around a bold, sexy, and overtly trendy look. Think bodycon dresses, high-slit skirts, revealing tops, and everything you need for a night out. It’s for the shopper who wants to stand out and embrace their curves.

Misguided offers a more balanced and versatile aesthetic. Its collections feel edgy and modern, but pieces are often suitable for a wider array of events. You'll find trendy items alongside more classic, polished separates, making it a good choice for someone building a fashionable wardrobe that extends beyond clubwear.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands prioritize inclusive sizing. Fashion Nova generally runs up to a size 3X or 4X, catering to a broad plus-size audience. However, the fit is notoriously snug and is designed to create a body-conscious silhouette. Sizing up is a common piece of advice among shoppers.

Misguided offers sizes up to a US 20. Its fit can be more variable, some items may feel true to size while others may run small or large. Consulting their detailed size chart and reading individual product reviews is crucial for finding the right fit.

Shopping Experience

Both brands have user-friendly websites with clear navigation and product filters. Fashion Nova’s shopping experience is heavily integrated with social proof from platforms like Instagram. It's a fast-paced environment geared towards quick trend cycles. Their return policy is less shopper-friendly, requiring customers to pay for their own return shipping for store credit.

Misguided offers a cleaner, more traditional e-commerce experience. Its biggest advantage is the return policy, which includes free returns on certain items. This makes trying out different sizes or styles far less of a risk.

Sustainability & Ethics

Neither brand is a leader in sustainability. Both are part of the fast-fashion model, which relies on rapid production cycles and low costs - practices that are often at odds with environmental and ethical considerations. Misguided has made some public statements and initiated programs aimed at reducing its environmental impact, but both brands lack significant transparency in their supply chains.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your personal style goals and shopping priorities.

Choose Fashion Nova if:

• You’re looking for bold, curve-hugging outfits for a party or night out.
• You want the absolute lowest prices and love constant sales and discounts.
• Your style is heavily influenced by Instagram trends and "baddie" aesthetics.
• You prefer sexy, body-conscious fits and are an expert at finding your size in their snug styles.

Choose Misguided if:

• You want versatile, on-trend pieces that can be styled for both daytime and evening.
• Your style is a mix of edgy, chic, and polished.
• You value a more user-friendly return policy with options for free returns.
• You need statement pieces that feel fashionable without being strictly clubwear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fashion Nova or Misguided cheaper?

Both are highly affordable, but Fashion Nova often has slightly lower initial price points and more frequent, aggressive sales, which can make it cheaper overall.

Which brand has better quality?

Both brands offer typical fast-fashion quality, so neither is a premium choice. Some shoppers feel Misguided items have a slightly more structured finish, while Fashion Nova's are made with stretchy fabrics designed for fit over durability.

How does Fashion Nova sizing run?

Fashion Nova is known to run small and tight. Its clothing is designed for a body-hugging fit, and it's common for customers to size up, especially if between sizes.

How is Misguided's sizing?

Misguided's sizing can be inconsistent. Since it's a UK brand, it's essential to check the US size conversions on their chart. Reading customer reviews for specific items is the best way to determine fit.

What is the style difference between Fashion Nova and Misguided?

Fashion Nova is focused on bold, sexy clubwear and influencer-driven streetwear. Misguided offers a more versatile collection of edgy, chic, and modern styles that work for a variety of settings.

Can I return items to both stores?

Yes, but the policies differ significantly. Fashion Nova returns are for store credit only, and you must pay for shipping. Misguided allows returns for a refund and often provides free return options, making it more convenient.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Neither brand is considered sustainable. Both are fast-fashion retailers and face criticism for their environmental impact and labor practices. If sustainability is a priority, consider small, ethical brands instead.

Which brand is better for plus sizes?

Both brands offer inclusive sizing. Fashion Nova provides sizing up to 4X on many items, giving it a slight edge in range. However, Misguided's styles may offer a more versatile fit for different body shapes.