PLT vs. Fashion Nova: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

PrettyLittleThing (PLT) focuses on versatile, celebrity-inspired trends for young women, offering styles for everything from casual days to parties. In contrast, Fashion Nova built its brand on social media with bold, provocative, and body-conscious clothing designed to accentuate curves and make a statement.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right fast-fashion retailer for your needs.

PrettyLittleThing: The Trend-Forward Fashion Destination

PrettyLittleThing is a UK-based fast-fashion powerhouse that delivers of-the-moment trends influenced by runways and celebrity style. It caters to a young female audience (typically 16-30s) who wants to experiment with current styles without a hefty price tag. Its aesthetic is playful and varied, offering everything from edgy streetwear to glam party dresses.

• Product mix: A massive collection of women's apparel including dresses, tops, activewear, swimwear, and accessories. PLT is also known for its frequent collaborations with influencers and celebrities.
• Price point: Extremely affordable, with most pieces falling between $10 and $70. It's common to find dresses under $40 and tops for around $20.
• Quality: As expected with fast fashion, quality is secondary to style and price. Materials are primarily polyester blends. While suitable for a few wears to an event, these aren't investment pieces.
• Style: Centered on current trends, often drawing inspiration from influencers on Instagram and TikTok. The look is youthful, fun, and ranges from everyday casual to bold night-out attire.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing can be inconsistent. While many items run true to size, it's wise to read customer reviews for specific products, as some can run small or large depending on the design and material.
• Sales: PLT constantly runs promotions, with site-wide discounts of 40-60% off being very common. Student discounts are also available.
• Return policy: You can return items within 28 days of purchase, but you must cover the return shipping cost.

PLT is ideal for shoppers who want a wide selection of current trends at extremely low prices, making it easy to build a fashionable wardrobe for any occasion on a tight budget.

Shop PrettyLittleThing: prettylittlething.com

Fashion Nova: The Body-Con Instagram Favorite

Fashion Nova is an American fast-fashion retailer that exploded in popularity through Instagram, becoming famous for its curve-hugging designs and partnerships with high-profile celebrities. It targets confident women (ages 18-35) who embrace bold, sexy fashion. The brand is particularly well-known for its extensive range of denim and its commitment to inclusive "plus-size" sizing, often referred to as 'Curve'.

• Product mix: Specializes in dresses, jeans, matching sets, and lingerie designed to enhance the figure. Also offers swimwear, activewear, and accessories.
• Price point: Affordable, with most items ranging from $15 to $80. Their jeans are a key product category, typically priced between $30 and $50.
• Quality: Similar to other fast-fashion brands, durability is not the main focus. Fabrics are often very stretchy (spandex and polyester blends) to achieve the signature body-conscious fit, which can sometimes mean they are thinner.
• Style: Unapologetically sexy and provocative. Think tight fits, cutouts, short hemlines, and bold prints designed for nights out and social media photos.
• Sizing/Fit: Known for its inclusive sizing, offering a wide range from XS to 3X. Items are designed to be extremely form-fitting and often run snug to achieve that look. Many shoppers recommend sizing up if they're between sizes or prefer a less compressive fit.
• Sales: Runs aggressive sales, often with BOGO deals, "Spend & Save" events, and major flash sales offering deep discounts.
• Return policy: Allows returns for store credit on eligible items within 30 days. However, sale items, swimwear, and lingerie are often final sale.

Fashion Nova excels at creating statement-making, curve-enhancing outfits with an inclusive size range, perfect for those who want their clothing to be bold and eye-catching.

Shop Fashion Nova: fashionnova.com

PrettyLittleThing vs. Fashion Nova Comparison

Price Comparison

Both brands live in the affordable fast-fashion space. Base prices are very similar, with T-shirts, tops, and dresses often available for under $30. Neither will break the bank.

The main difference comes down to promotional strategy. PLT almost always has a site-wide percentage-off discount code active. Fashion Nova is famous for its aggressive flash sales and "Buy One, Get One Free" events, which can sometimes result in steeper single-item discounts. Overall, their pricing is highly competitive, and shoppers at either store can find trendy pieces for very little money.

Quality & Materials

Quality is not the primary selling point for either PLT or Fashion Nova. Both brands prioritize speed and trend turnover, using inexpensive synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, and spandex to keep costs low. You can expect the construction and fabric to be suitable for trendy items you might only wear for a short season.

Fashion Nova often utilizes thinner, stretchier fabrics to achieve its signature tight fit, which can sometimes feel less substantial than some PLT items. However, quality can be inconsistent across both sites, so it's always recommended to read product reviews before purchasing.

Style & Aesthetic

This is where the brands differ most clearly. PrettyLittleThing's style catalog is broad and reflects a wider range of current trends. You can find everything from casual loungewear and cottagecore dresses to sparkly party outfits and faux leather pieces. It's trendy, but versatile.

Fashion Nova has a more distinct and focused aesthetic: sexy, bold, and provocative. Their collections heavily feature body-conscious silhouettes, daring cutouts, plunging necklines, and ultra-tight fits. If you're looking for an outfit specifically for a night out, a party, or a vacation, Fashion Nova is the specialist.

Fit & Sizing

Fashion Nova is a clear leader in inclusive sizing. The brand offers a wide range of sizes from XS up to 3X and 4X in their 'Curve' collection, with designs specifically tailored to flatter fuller figures. However, their products are designed to be "snatched" and incredibly form-fitting, so items often run tight.

PrettyLittleThing also offers plus-size options, but its range isn't as extensive. Their sizing is notoriously inconsistent. While many customers find it runs true to size, some collections can run very small or surprisingly large. Checking individual reviews and size guides is essential when shopping at PLT.

Shopping Experience

Both sites are optimized for fast, easy mobile shopping. They feature prominent promotional banners, clear categories, and extensive product imagery. Fashion Nova's website is heavily integrated with its social media, often featuring customer photos directly on product pages, which is very helpful for seeing clothes on different body types.

Shipping times are generally comparable for domestic orders in the US, typically taking around 5-7 business days for standard delivery. Both offer return options, but Fashion Nova's policy of only offering store credit (not refunds) can be a significant drawback for some shoppers.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your personal style and what you're shopping for. Both brands deliver on-trend fashion at very low prices, but they serve different needs.

Choose PrettyLittleThing if:

• You want trendy but versatile pieces for a variety of occasions.
• Your style is more inspired by general runway and celebrity trends than pure "Instagram" fashion.
• You appreciate having a huge catalog of different styles to browse, from casual to glamorous.
• You want a trendy outfit that isn't always super tight or revealing.

Choose Fashion Nova if:

• You love a bold, sexy, and body-conscious fit.
• You're looking for an outfit for a night out, a party, or to get noticed on social media.
• Inclusive and plus sizing options are a top priority for you. They're a market leader in a wide array of options for multiple different sized bodies.
• You love aggressive sales, such as BOGO free deals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PrettyLittleThing or Fashion Nova cheaper?

Their base pricing is very similar, making them both extremely affordable. PrettyLittleThing consistently has a discount code active. Fashion Nova often has more aggressive flash sales and BOGO events, so the cheaper option can depend on the promotion of the day.

Which clothing line has better quality clothing, PLT or Fashion Nova?

Neither brand is known for high quality, as is standard for fast fashion. Quality is comparable but can be inconsistent for both brands between pieces. It's fair to say it's more of a tie in the race for a trendy outfit to be worn for only one summer festival or a handful of brunches.

Does Fashion Nova or PLT have faster shipping?

Shipping times for standard delivery within the US are very similar, typically averaging 5-7 business days. This can vary based on your location and the quality of third-party delivery services in your area. It's generally not a major factor when choosing between the two for standard clothing items.

How do Fashion Nova clothes fit?

Fashion Nova clothes are designed to be extremely tight and body-hugging. Most pieces have a lot of stretch to create a "snatched" look. It's recommended that you size up if you are between sizes to allow for comfort and maximum stretch.

How is PrettyLittleThing's fabric?

The fabrics used by PrettyLittleThing are quite average, made of budget-friendly, non-premium fabrics. It's often reported as more likely to run true to size, but checking other consumer reviews is advised to ensure the correct fit.

Which brand should I buy from if I care more about sizing diversity options?

Fashion Nova has gained a following for its dedication to plus-sized and curvier women. Its Curve category is popular and often celebrated in their marketing campaigns.

How straightforward are their return policies?

The return process has room for improvement, as online feedback suggests. Fashion Nova only offers store credit for returns. On the contrary, PrettyLittleThing offers complete refunds, which is a competitive advantage.

Should I buy clothing or dresses from Fashion Nova or PLT online?

Your closet is about to be stocked up! You might want to give either PrettyLittleThing or Fashion Nova a try now, and there should not be many surprises. Both have incredible online websites with the option of having your purchases shipped directly to your mailbox. It should take a couple of business days, and after it arrives, you'll have an entirely new outfit to express yourself for more days to come.