Amazon becomes holiday fashion secret weapon as tariffs push shoppers away from fast fashion

Amazon is emerging as a secret style weapon for holiday fashion as tariffs push up prices at Zara, Mango and H&M, which have seen some items jump as much as 40% this season. The shift has trendsetters looking beyond the usual fast-fashion staples in search of festive attire that won’t break the bank. CNBC projects that Amazon's clothing and shoes sales will exceed $72 billion by year-end, and Consumer Affairs reports that women make up about 75% of its customers. Shoppers cite fast shipping, easy returns and a growing mix of elevated looks at approachable prices as a key draw.

Among shoppers championing Amazon for special occasions is Fabiana Buontempo, a North Carolina professional who wore an Amazon set to a recent work holiday party. Her ensemble reportedly looked expensive and fit well, including a $42 olive-green pleated shirt paired with matching wide-leg pants. Fernanda Aceves, a 34-year-old digital marketing director, also relies on Amazon for quick, stylish options for events. She notes that the dresses are affordable and often look high-end, with the ability to order multiple styles at home and return what doesn’t work without stress. At a military ball she chose a $47 off-the-shoulder long-sleeve bodycon dress that delivered a high-end look for a fraction of department-store prices. Aceves favors pieces that look elevated but stay within roughly $50 to $80.

These individual stories align with a broader trend noted by fashion influencers and editors. Lilliana Vazquez chases chic, affordable finds on Amazon and beyond, while Mary Jacob, a Post reporter, found a black mini velvet dress with crystal-like embellishments around the collar for about $45 that looked festive and versatile in person. Emma Sutton-Williams, The Post's commerce reporter, says Amazon has quietly built a robust fashion portfolio, including curated storefronts like Saks on Amazon that feature brands such as Balmain, Stella McCartney and Johanna Ortiz, alongside more affordable options. She notes that shoppers now can find Zara-comparable pieces at lower prices, benefitting from fast shipping and easy returns.

As many retailers tighten return policies, Amazon's hassle-free refunds and exchanges become an appealing feature for shoppers outfitting holiday events. The retailer has gradually expanded its fashion presence, blending luxury labels with midrange brands to broaden its appeal to last-minute shoppers seeking both style and value. The trend toward platform-based shopping—where price, convenience and variety trump traditional standalone retailers—appears poised to extend beyond the holidays.

To help readers plan, The Post assembled five festive outfits curated for Amazon that work for dinners, parties and even New Year’s Eve. Outfit 1 centers on a monochrome mood: a satin top priced around 38 dollars, satin pants at 36 dollars, kitten heels at 40 dollars and a clutch at 50 dollars. Outfit 2 features a velvet mini dress with crystal-like collar embellishments, paired with pearl-drop earrings (about 10 dollars), a small hair bow (7 dollars), fleece-lined tights (26 dollars) and crystal-embellished slingback heels (40 dollars). Outfit 3 presents a faux-leather bomber (60 dollars) with a spaghetti cami top (11 dollars), barrel jeans (40 dollars), The Row-inspired combat boots (129 dollars) and a Birkin-like bag (79 dollars) for a bolder look. Outfit 4 offers an office-to-holiday party transition: satin skirt (29 dollars), sequin cami (35 dollars), blazer (48 dollars) and ankle-strap heels (40 dollars) for a polished daytime-to-evening shift. Outfit 5 channels casual, cool sparkle with a suede bomber jacket (45 dollars), a turtleneck (39 dollars), rhinestone jeans (39 dollars), a small purse (22 dollars) and slingback heels (53 dollars). The goal across these options is to deliver elevated styling without a steep price tag, backed by quick delivery and easy returns that give shoppers confidence when planning outfits on a deadline.

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Across the season, shoppers note that Amazon’s fashion offerings have matured beyond basics, with better-quality core items and trend-accurate silhouettes at accessible prices. The expansion of curated storefronts and the presence of luxury-branded lines, such as Saks on Amazon, reflect a broader strategy to blend aspirational looks with everyday affordability. While some shoppers may still have reservations about online-only pieces for rare-event wear, the combination of price, convenience and the ability to try at home without committing to a single item continues to attract customers who want to look festive without overspending.

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As the calendar nears the new year, the question for many style watchers is whether this Amazon-driven approach to holiday dressing will endure. For now, the data and anecdotal reporting suggest that the platform’s fashion horizons—spanning both major brands and more affordable labels—offer a compelling mix for those who want to dress up for less. The holiday season, in particular, appears to be a proving ground for this growing consumer habit: buy now, try at home, and exchange or return if needed, all while keeping a look that reads expensive without an exorbitant price tag.

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