Oh Polly vs. Pretty Little Thing: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Oh Polly focuses on premium, figure-flattering occasionwear at a higher price point, using luxe materials for a glamorous feel. In contrast, Pretty Little Thing is a fast-fashion giant offering a massive variety of trendy, celebrity-inspired styles at highly affordable prices, prioritizing speed and variety over lasting quality.

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

Oh Polly: The Destination for Glamour & Occasionwear

Oh Polly is a fashion brand known for its bold, sexy, and figure-enhancing designs that cater to women aged 18-35. The brand excels at creating statement pieces perfect for nights out, birthdays, and special events. With a focus on quality fabrics and construction, Oh Polly has built a reputation for glamorous, confidence-boosting outfits you can rely on for a perfect fit.

• Product mix: Specializes in women's partywear, with a strong focus on form-fitting dresses, bodysuits, and coordinated sets. The silhouettes are consistently sexy, trendy, and designed to flatter your shape.
• Price point: Occupies a mid-range to premium space. Expect most dresses to cost between $70 and $150, reflecting higher-quality materials and construction.
• Quality: Uses superior fabrics like stretch satin, thick ribbed knits, and high-quality synthetic blends that feel luxurious and offer better durability than typical fast fashion.
• Style & Aesthetic: The overall vibe is modern, glamorous, and sophisticated. Think vibrant colors, daring cutouts, and luxe finishes.
• Sizing/Fit: Garments generally run true to size, with a focus on creating a cinched, body-hugging silhouette. The brand offers detailed size guides to help ensure a great fit.
• Return policy: Offers a straightforward return policy for online orders, typically allowing returns within a specific window for a refund or store credit.

Oh Polly is the ideal choice for shoppers seeking a standout outfit that combines quality construction with a sexy, high-fashion aesthetic.

Shop Oh Polly: ohpolly.com

Pretty Little Thing: The Affordable Fast-Fashion Hub

Pretty Little Thing (PLT) is a global fast-fashion powerhouse offering an endless supply of affordable, on-trend clothing for young women aged 16-30. PLT is a one-stop shop for everything from casual daywear and basics to edgy party looks inspired by the latest celebrity and streetwear trends. Their business model revolves around rapid turnover, ensuring new styles are constantly hitting the site at exceptionally low prices.

• Product mix: Carries an enormous range of clothing, including dresses, tops, denim, loungewear, shoes, and accessories. Their collections are diverse, covering everything from festival wear to cozy basics.
• Price point: Highly accessible and budget-friendly. Most items are priced under $50, and it's common to find dresses, tops, and skirts for less than $30.
• Quality: Uses budget-friendly materials like lightweight polyester, jersey, and other synthetic fabrics. The focus is on affordability and style replication, meaning durability and fit can be inconsistent.
• Style & Aesthetic: The look is youthful, bold, and experimental. PLT quickly adopts viral trends, making it perfect for those wanting to try new styles without a big investment.
• Sizing/Fit: Offers a broad inclusive size range that often goes from XS to 3XL. However, sizing consistency can be an issue, so it's always wise to check a product's specific size guide and customer reviews.
• Sales: Known for its constant sales, flash promotions, and deep discounts, with sitewide promotions frequently offering 40-70% off.
• Return policy: Like other major online retailers, PLT has a clear return policy, though the specifics on timeframes can vary by location.

Pretty Little Thing is perfect for trend-driven shoppers on a budget who prioritize variety and affordability for everyday and party outfits.

Shop Pretty Little Thing: prettylittlething.com

Oh Polly vs. Pretty Little Thing Comparison

Price Comparison

The price difference is the most significant factor between the two brands. A typical dress from Oh Polly starts around $70, while you can easily find a full outfit on Pretty Little Thing for under $50. PLT's business model is built on high volume and low costs, reinforced by constant sales that make their items even more accessible.

Oh Polly positions itself as a more premium choice, justifying its higher price with better-quality fabrics and more thoughtful design construction. For value, PLT wins on quantity - you can buy multiple items for the price of one Oh Polly dress. However, Oh Polly offers better value in terms of cost-per-wear for a special occasion piece you want to last.

Quality & Materials

Oh Polly has a clear advantage in quality. The brand uses heavier, more luxurious-feeling fabrics like stretch satin, double-layered materials, and structured ribbed knits that provide support and flatter the body. The attention to detail in stitching and finishing is generally much higher, resulting in garments that look and feel more expensive.

Pretty Little Thing uses standard fast-fashion materials, primarily lightweight polyesters, jersey, and acrylics. While perfect for a trendy, short-term piece, these fabrics may not hold their shape or texture as well after multiple washes. The construction is simpler, reflecting the low price point.

Style & Aesthetic

Oh Polly has a defined and consistent aesthetic that is glamorous, sexy, and polished. Their designs are intended for making an entrance - think cocktail parties, exclusive clubs, and birthday celebrations. While they follow trends, their core identity remains focused on timeless, figure-enhancing silhouettes.

Pretty Little Thing's aesthetic is much broader and more eclectic. It's a reflection of whatever is popular at the moment, from streetwear and e-girl styles to celebrity replica looks. This makes PLT far more trend-focused and versatile for Gen Z shoppers who change their style frequently, but it lacks the cohesive, signature look of Oh Polly.

Fit & Sizing

Oh Polly is known for its reliable, figure-hugging fit. Their garments are designed to snatch the waist and accentuate curves, and customers generally find that items run true to size according to their size chart. The focus on fit is a major part of their value proposition.

Pretty Little Thing offers a more extensive size range, which is great for inclusivity. However, its sizing can be inconsistent across different items and collections. One top might run large while a dress runs small. Reading individual product reviews for feedback on fit is almost essential when shopping on PLT.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands operate within the fast-fashion industry, which faces significant criticism for its environmental and ethical impact. Due to its lower price point and high volume of production, Pretty Little Thing is more squarely in the ultra-fast-fashion category. The brand has introduced sustainability initiatives like eco-friendly collections and recycling programs but has a long way to go.

Oh Polly also contributes to the fast-fashion cycle. While they may produce fewer styles in lower quantities than PLT, they have also faced questions about their practices. Shoppers concerned about sustainability may find both brands fall short of ethical standards.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands are popular for a reason, but they serve entirely different shopping needs.

Choose Oh Polly if:

• You're shopping for a special occasion and need a high-impact, reliable dress.
• You value quality fabrics and a flattering, consistent fit over a low price.
• Your budget for a centerpiece outfit is above $70.
• You prefer a sexy, glamorous, and sophisticated signature style.

Choose Pretty Little Thing if:

• You are on a tight budget and want to maximize the number of new items you get.
• You love experimenting with fleeting, viral trends.
• You need a massive selection of styles for various casual and party occasions.
• Variety and affordability are more important to you than long-term durability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oh Polly or Pretty Little Thing more expensive?

Oh Polly is significantly more expensive. Its dresses typically cost between $70 and $150, whereas Pretty Little Thing offers most of its items for under $50.

Which brand has better quality?

Oh Polly unequivocally offers better quality. Its garments are made from thicker, more durable fabrics with superior construction, an area where Pretty Little Thing cuts corners to keep prices low.

Does Oh Polly run true to size?

Yes, Oh Polly is generally known for running true to size. Its designs are meant to be form-fitting, so consult their size guide if you're between sizes.

Is Pretty Little Thing's sizing accurate?

The sizing at Pretty Little Thing can be inconsistent. Because they produce so many different styles from various suppliers, some items may run smaller or larger than others. It's highly recommended to read customer reviews for specific items.

Which brand is better for a formal event or birthday?

For a special occasion where you want to feel polished and confident, Oh Polly is the better choice due to its superior quality, fit, and glamorous designs.

Which brand offers more variety?

Pretty Little Thing offers a much wider variety of styles. Its inventory is vast, covering everything from edgy streetwear to basic loungewear, while Oh Polly focuses specifically on occasionwear.

Are Oh Polly and Pretty Little Thing considered fast fashion?

Yes, both brands are part of the fast fashion industry. Pretty Little Thing is a quintessential ultra-fast-fashion brand due to its extremely low prices and rapid production cycles.

Is Oh Polly worth the money?

If you're looking for a special occasion dress that will fit well, feel luxurious, and last for more than one night out, then Oh Polly is often worth the higher price tag.