Free People vs. Anthropologie: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Free People targets a younger crowd with its trend-driven, casual bohemian aesthetic at a more accessible price point. In contrast, Anthropologie offers a more sophisticated, curated lifestyle experience that includes home goods alongside its vintage-inspired apparel, generally at a higher price reflecting artisanal quality and timeless design.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right brand for your style and budget.

Free People: The Laid-Back Bohemian Outfitter

Free People is known for its free-spirited, eclectic, and artsy aesthetic that appeals to young, fashion-forward consumers. The brand's signature look combines flowy silhouettes, lace details, and vintage-inspired designs perfect for festivals, casual outings, or anyone embracing a relaxed yet stylish wardrobe. They cater to shoppers who value individuality and creative self-expression through fashion.

• Product mix: A wide range of women’s clothing including dresses, tops, and outerwear, plus intimates, activewear (FP Movement), shoes, and accessories designed for layering and creative styling.
• Price point: Generally in the mid-range. Basics and tops range from $50 to $100, while signature dresses and outerwear can cost up to $300+.
• Style: Quintessential boho-chic defined by flowy maxis, distressed denim, intricate embroidery, and a relaxed feel. Their style is highly trend-sensitive, often reflecting current festival and vintage trends.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing typically runs true to size but often incorporates an intentionally oversized, loose, and slouchy fit. Most items are available in sizes XS-XL.
• Quality: Primarily uses lightweight fabrics such as cotton, rayon, and linen for comfort and flow. While their pieces are well-made for the price, some items prioritize unique style over long-term durability.
• Sales: Holds frequent promotions and significant seasonal clearance events, making its trendy pieces even more accessible.

Free People is the ideal destination for anyone seeking affordable, trend-forward pieces that embody a casual, youthful, and free-spirited vibe.

Shop Free People: freepeople.com

Anthropologie: The Curated Lifestyle Emporium

Anthropologie is a full lifestyle brand that offers a curated mix of fashion, home decor, furniture, and beauty products. The brand targets creative and worldly women who appreciate an artistic, sophisticated, and vintage-inspired aesthetic. Their clothing features feminine dresses, unique blouses, and statement pieces often decorated with intricate details and prints, creating a boutique feel.

• Product mix: An extensive collection of women's apparel, accessories, and shoes, complemented by a large selection of home goods, including furniture, decor, bedding, and kitchenware, plus a curated beauty section.
• Price point: Positioned in the mid to premium range. Dresses typically start around $100 and can go up to $500+, reflecting a focus on design and quality.
• Style: A refined and romantic take on bohemian style. The aesthetic is characterized by flattering silhouettes, artisanal details, exclusive prints, and vintage influences, lending a more polished and sophisticated feel.
• Sizing/Fit: Generally true to size with a focus on flattering, tailored, and feminine silhouettes. Sizing is more inclusive, ranging from XXS to 3X in many styles.
• Quality: Emphasizes craftsmanship and high-quality materials like silk, linen, and wool. Garments often feature unique embroidery and beading, contributing to better durability and longevity.
• Sales: Offers regular sales and promotions, with popular seasonal events that provide significant discounts on their investment pieces.

Anthropologie is perfect for shoppers looking to invest in unique, well-crafted pieces for both their wardrobe and home who enjoy a boutique-like shopping experience.

Shop Anthropologie: anthropologie.com

Free People vs. Anthropologie Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a clear difference in price between the two brands. Free People is more budget-friendly, with most items falling between $50 and $300. This pricing strategy makes it highly accessible for younger shoppers or those looking to experiment with trendy boho styles without a big investment.

On the other hand, Anthropologie positions itself as a more premium brand. Its clothing prices typically range from $100 up to $500+, with home goods extending even higher. The cost reflects a greater emphasis on unique designs, quality materials, and artisanal craftsmanship, making each piece feel like a long-term keeper.

Quality & Materials

Anthropologie generally stands out for its quality. Their collections often use high-end natural materials like silk, linen, and wool and feature intricate embroidery, beading, and handcrafted details. The construction is typically more robust, designed for durability and a longer lifespan in your closet.

Free People prioritizes aesthetic and comfort, often using lightweight fabrics like cotton and rayon that create a beautiful, flowy effect. While many items are well-made, the overall quality can be less consistent than Anthropologie's, with a clearer focus on seasonal trends rather than lifetime wear.

Style & Aesthetic

While both brands embrace a bohemian spirit, their interpretations are distinct. Free People’s style is more casual, rugged, and youthful. Think festival gear, beachy layers, and oversized knits - perfect for a laid-back, creative lifestyle. Their designs are heavily trend-driven and appeal to a free-spirited customer.

Anthropologie’s aesthetic is more polished, romantic, and refined. Their interpretation of boho-chic often includes sophisticated floral prints, structured silhouettes, and delicate vintage details. It’s a grown-up, worldly take on bohemian style that seamlessly integrates into a professional or dressier wardrobe.

Fit & Sizing

Fit is a key differentiator. Free People is known for its relaxed, oversized, and billowy silhouettes. While sizing runs true, the intended fit is often loose and forgiving, which is a core part of its aesthetic. This style provides comfort and works well for layered looks.

Anthropologie offers a more varied fit, including many structured and tailored pieces designed to flatter the figure. While they carry relaxed styles as well, there's a greater emphasis on classic feminine silhouettes. Their size range is also broader, catering to more body types with XXS-3X options.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands offer beautiful clothing, but they cater to different priorities, budgets, and lifestyles.

Choose Free People if:

• Your style is casual, trendy, and heavily inspired by festivals and easy-going vintage looks.
• You prefer relaxed, oversized, and comfortable fits.
• Your budget is moderate, and you enjoy finding fashionable pieces under $200.
• You're shopping for a youthful, free-spirited wardrobe focused exclusively on apparel and accessories.

Choose Anthropologie if:

• You're looking for unique, artisanal pieces that feel like long-term investments.
• You want to build a sophisticated wardrobe with a romantic and vintage-inspired feel.
• You appreciate a more tailored and traditionally feminine fit.
• You love a curated shopping experience where you can buy a beautiful dress and a matching set of throw pillows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Free People or Anthropologie cheaper?

Free People is significantly cheaper than Anthropologie. You can easily find tops for under $100 and dresses for under $200, whereas Anthropologie's pieces usually start at those price points and go up.

Which brand has better quality?

Anthropologie generally offers superior quality and durability. Their focus on high-quality fabrics and artisanal details means their clothing is often made to last longer, justifying the higher price tag.

Do Free People and Anthropologie have the same parent company?

Yes, both brands are owned by Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN), which also owns Urban Outfitters itself. This shared ownership is why you'll see stylistic similarities and sometimes find brands cross-listed on their websites.

Does Anthropologie sell Free People clothes?

Yes, it's fairly common to find a selection of Free People items sold through Anthropologie’s website. Because they are sister brands, Anthropologie often curates newer or best-selling pieces from Free People that align with their customer's style.

Which brand is better for home decor?

Anthropologie is the definite winner here, as it's a core part of their brand. They offer a vast and celebrated collection of furniture, bedding, rugs, and decor. Free People does not have a home goods line.

How does the sizing compare?

Free People sizing is known to run large or have an intentionally oversized fit to align with its relaxed aesthetic. Anthropologie sizing is generally more true-to-size and includes more tailored options alongside relaxed fits, with a wider size range including petite, plus, and tall.

Which brand is younger?

Free People's marketing and trend-focused styles are squarely aimed at a younger demographic, primarily millennials and Gen Z. Anthropologie generally appeals to a slightly older audience (late 20s and up) or anyone seeking a more refined and timeless aesthetic.

What are the return policies?

Both brands currently offer a similar return policy. They typically accept returns of unworn, unwashed items within 30 days of purchase for a full refund. It’s always best to check their respective websites for the most up-to-date policy information before buying.