I still remember the first time I stepped into a Chico’s store near the magnesium supplements in the mall.
As someone who loves boho chic style with a touch of sophistication, I was immediately drawn to their vibrant floral prints, flowy lightweight fabrics like chiffon and viscose, and artisan details like hand embroidery and crocheted trim.
However, the prices were a bit steep for my budget as a college student at the time, with most dresses and tops costing over $100.
Since then, I’ve been on the hunt for brands that can deliver the Chico’s aesthetic of relaxed yet refined clothing for mature women without the high price tag.
Here’s an interesting fact: Chico’s was founded in 1983 by a husband and wife who saw a need for relaxed yet refined clothing for middle-aged women who still wanted to look and feel stylish.
Over 35 years later, the company has grown to hundreds of stores across the US and Canada!
Now let’s dive into the top alternatives where us fab fashionistas can score major deals on chic styles:
White House Black Market
This brand has a similar elegance and feminine vibe as Chico’s, with lots of lightweight dresses perfect for summer weddings, flowy blouses ideal for the office, printed pants that can be dressed up or down, and unique jewelry like charm bracelets and statement earrings.
Their prices are more mid-range, with dresses averaging $120 and blouses around $80.
I especially love their selection of dressy capri pants, which are great for showing off cute sandals.
The quality and fabrics at White House Black Market are comparable to Chico’s, like soft jersey knits and delicate chiffon.
I always save at least 30% off my entire purchase when they run their special VIP sales.
Talbots
Similar to Chico’s, Talbots exudes a classic, sophisticated style with beautiful pieces that transition effortlessly from desk to dinner.
They offer great business casual pieces like tailored trousers that flatter mature figures, blazers with a touch of stretch for comfort, silky button-downs that feel luxurious, and sheath dresses perfect for meetings.
Talbots uses natural fibers like cotton, linen, and silk blends so the pieces feel breathable and light.
Their petite and plus size selections are amazing too, providing stylish options for all body types.
I especially love their crisp white poplin button up shirts that always look so elegant and polished.
Coldwater Creek
This brand is known for their printed tunics, flowy tops with intricate detail like crochet trim and tassels, dresses with tiered ruffle skirts, and soft pants in vibrant colors and boho inspired prints.
There are lots of options at Coldwater Creek for older women who still want to look hip and chic while being comfortable.
The quality of their fabrics and construction is on par with Chico’s pieces.
I especially love their maxi dresses with global inspired prints, perfect for vacation.
They often have 40-50% off sales on top of already reasonable prices.
Make sure to get on their mailing list for notifications of all the great deals!
Soft Surroundings
If you love Chico’s travel collection, check out Soft Surroundings for comparable pieces meant for packing.
They offer lots of lightweight, wrinkle-free tops and bottoms like tunics, maxi skirts, and wide leg culottes perfect for cruises and tropical getaways.
The fabrics at Soft Surroundings are high quality and washing machine friendly, like their modal knits and viscose that feel so soft against the skin.
I especially love their embroidered caftans and swim coverups which can double as dresses for a beach dinner.
Their relaxed styles like drawstring waist palazzo pants work great for plane rides and long days of sightseeing.
Lands’ End
Similar to Chico’s, Lands’ End has a preppy, nautical vibe in their clothing that transitions seamlessly from summer to fall.
They offer well-made basics and classics like breathable linen pants that come in petite, regular, and tall sizes to fit all body types.
Their striped tees and sleeveless shells look crisp when layered under a blazer or cardigan.
I love Lands’ End’s sweater sets, especially the quarter zip pullovers paired with a sleeveless shell.
They also have lots of darling shift dresses, swim coverups, and beachy tunics.
L.L. Bean
Known for their outdoor and adventure gear, L.L. Bean also has great selections of casual-chic women’s clothing with a heritage New England vibe.
They offer lots of comfy classics like lightweight flannels, linen shirts perfect for summer, chinos with a touch of stretch, shorts in tropical prints, and breathable tees.
Their prices are very reasonable given the great quality and selection of natural fibers like cotton, linen, and silk.
L.L. Bean stands behind their products with their amazing return policy, so you can truly buy with confidence.
If you love Chico’s relaxed vacation style, L.L. Bean has lots of comparable options from swimsuits to sundresses.
NYDJ
NYDJ makes the best fitting jeans for women of all ages, shapes and sizes.
If you love Chico’s jeans, check out NYDJ for comparable quality denim that lifts, shapes and smooths.
Their jeans come in multiple lengths like petites and talls, which is great for shorter or taller gals.
The fabric has stretch but still keeps its structure and dark wash through many wears.
They also have pants, shorts and leggings in great fabrics like ponte knit that feel buttery soft.
Laura Ashley
Laura Ashley features ultra feminine dresses, blouses, and skirts with a romantic English countryside or vintage tea party vibe.
There are lots of florals, ruffles, puff sleeves, and ditsy feminine prints in cotton, voile, linen and lace that would appeal to Chico’s lovers.
The quality and tailoring is impeccable, so the pieces keep their shape wear after wear.
I especially love their full floral maxi dresses and lace trimmed camisoles that look so delicate.
Items go on sale often for 40-60% off, so get on their mailing list!
Johnny Was
Johnny Was offers flowy boho chic tops, tunics, dresses, and dusters with gorgeous embroidery and colorwork details that give the pieces so much character.
The fabrics they use are soft luxe viscose, silk, and cotton blends that just skim the body so flatteringly.
I love their embroidered tunics paired with skinny jeans or leggings for an effortlessly stylish look.
The quality and fabrics are luxe while the silhouettes remain relaxed and breezy.
Join their mailing list for great discounts and rewards like $25 off a $100 purchase.
Draper James
This Reese Witherspoon brand has a similar feminine Southern charm and playfulness as Chico’s.
Draper James offers darling dresses with retro
prints and skirts with fun ruffles, billowy tops and blouses with dainty accents like pearlescent buttons, and accessories with charm and personality.
There are lots of fun vibrant prints, florals, checks, and gingham in a well-curated color palette dominated by cheery blues, sunny yellows, and soft pinks.
The fabrics have a nice weight and drape to them while still being breathable for warmer climates.
I especially love their wrap dresses that cinch at the waist and immediately pull a look together.
Boden
This British brand has the colorful, feminine, whimsical aesthetic that Chico’s lovers adore.
Boden offers playful dresses with unique prints and textures like eyelets and pique knits, full twirly skirts, tops with embellished collars and cuffs, and accessories like floral embroidered bags.
There are lots of retro inspired prints on their silky blouses, fit and flare dresses, linen culottes, and swim coverups.
The color palettes are bold and vibrant, featuring corals, turquoise, sunny yellows, and sapphire blues.
Simply Be
If you love Chico’s plus sizes, check out Simply Be which goes up to size 34.
They have a wide range of stylish plus size clothing, including maxi dresses, jumpsuits with artful prints, dark denim jeans that hold in tummies, embellished tops that dazzle, and swimwear with tummy control.
There are lots of boho and floral prints and breezy styles that work well for warmer weather.
Simply Be also offers business casual pieces like blazers, trousers, and sheath dresses for full figured women.
Their prices are very reasonable and they often run sales up to 50% off new arrivals.
LYS Fashion
This small boutique brand offers feminine, flowing styles in custom-printed silks and cottons with a global traveler vibe.
If you love Chico’s unique artisan look, LYS Fashion has a similar aesthetic with hand-drawn prints and embroidery in vibrant colors.
Their tunics, maxi dresses, and dusters are so elegantly chic and perfect for tropical destinations.
I love that each LYS piece feels unique, featuring prints designed in-house just for that garment.
The quality rivals the high prices, with very luxe feeling silks and airy cotton voiles.
Free shipping over $150 and extremely fast processing and delivery.
NIC+ZOE
NIC+ZOE is known for their comfortable, stretchy knitwear in vibrant dyes and global inspired prints.
They have lots of transitional lightweight cardigans, long tunics, breathable pants, and wrinkle-resistant dresses perfect for travel and everyday wear.
The quality and price points are comparable to Chico’s but with a more casual, relaxed vibe focused on into comfort and stretch.
I especially love their printed knit maxi dresses that can be dressed up with wedges or down with sandals.
TravelSmith
Specializing in wrinkle-free, easy care travel clothing, TravelSmith is like the Chico’s of comfortable travel wear.
They have a great selection of dresses, skirts, pants, tops and layers specifically designed for globetrotting women.
There are lots of natural, breathable fabrics like Tencel, viscose, and linen that feel cool against the skin and don’t cling.
I love their high waisted skinny ankle pants that look so stylish while being stretchy and packable.
J Jill
Offering a casual-chic aesthetic for women 45+, J Jill has lots of relaxed tunics, soft pants, stretchy dresses, and accessories similar to Chico’s styles but at lower price points.
Their pieces are easy to dress up or down for day to evening wearability.
Natural fibers like linen, modal, and cotton keep you cool and comfortable in their clothes.
I especially love their printed woven tunics that skim over curves and bright colored cropped pants for summer.
Ann Taylor
Ann Taylor has timeless, sophisticated pieces similar to Chico’s White Collection, with lots of polished workwear essentials like blazers, sheath dresses, trousers, blouses, and versatile sweaters.
The quality of their fabrics and construction is superb, with tailored fits made from natural fibers like wool, cotton, and linen.
I especially love their sleeveless sheath dresses and feminine prints on blouses that transition seamlessly from work to weekend.
Anthropologie
Known for boho chic styles, Anthropologie has tons of maxi dresses with flowy silhouettes and vibrant global prints that Chico’s devotees will adore.
Look for peasant style maxi dresses with tiers of ruffles, embroidered blouson tops with tasseled ties, wide leg culottes with ornate embroidery cascading down the leg, and intricately beaded raffia handbags.
The quality and fabrics at Anthropologie are on par with Chico’s, with lots of airy cotton voiles in their dresses and tops that feel featherlight, breezy rayon chiffons in vibrant hues, and luxurious washed Italian silks that drape beautifully.
I especially love their embellished jeans with embroidered flowers spiraling down the legs or colorful pom poms cascading down the side seams that add some boho flair to a wardrobe staple.
Anthropologie also has stunning kimono-style cardigans and dusters that add the perfect pop of color or print over a basic tank and jeans.
Their collection of boho chic accessories like embroidered handbags, beaded statement necklaces, Block printed scarves, and artisan crafted jewelry are perfect finishing touches to an outfit.
Free People
This brand has lots of hippie chic, laidback styles like babydoll mini dresses with macrame straps, crochet lace rompers, billowy off the shoulder tops with bell sleeves, and perfectly broken-in boyfriend denim that Chico’s shoppers will adore.
The details really make their pieces stand out, like delicate floral cutwork embroidery, dreamcatcher macrame fringe cascading off a hem, and vintage-inspired lace trim on mini dress sleeves or denim shorts.
Free People uses super soft fabrics like thermal waffle knits that feel like a cozy blanket, gauzy cheesecloth with raw edge hems, and lightweight linen in all their dresses and tops.
Their High waisted skinny ankle jeans come in vintage washes, cool distressed details, and fun embroidered designs up the leg.
Free People’s intimates and lingerie also have delicate details like lace and intricate straps in luxe, breathable fabrics that Chico’s devotees would love.
Banana Republic
Owned by Gap Inc., Banana Republic offers sleek, tailored clothing like fitted wrap dresses perfect for the office, crisp stretch cotton poplin button down shirts, fine merino wool knit sweaters, and ankle length trousers in a modern, minimalist aesthetic.
Shoppers who like Chico’s basics for work will appreciate Banana’s wrinkle-resistant stretch cotton button-downs, cozy cowl neck sweaters in ultra-fine merino wool, and slim ankle pants with the perfect amount of stretch.
The fabrics at Banana Republic are high-quality natural fibers like Egyptian cotton with a hint of spandex, soft merino wool, and rich linen in lovely muted solids and subtle prints.
Banana Republic’s line of work-approved shoes are very well-made, like block heel pumps, loafers, and leather flats that go the distance thanks to quality materials.
LOFT
LOFT is like the younger, trendier sister brand of Ann Taylor, with lots of affordable printed wrap dresses perfect for summer parties, skinny ankle pants in bright colored denim, boho inspired embroidered tops and tunics, and structured handbags with modern hardware details that will appeal to Chico’s lovers.
LOFT frequently has 50% off sales both online and in stores, so you can score major deals on their latest seasonal arrivals.
They offer frequent discounts and coupon codes on their website, so smart shoppers can almost always get LOFT’s trendy pieces on sale.
Their petite and tall sizes in pants, blazers, and dresses make it easy for all heights to achieve the perfect fit.
LOFT also has a wedding collection with cute bridal party dresses, rehearsal dinner outfits, and honeymoon packing essentials like kaftans and camis that Chico’s shoppers will love.
