Did you see ShopAKIRA on Instagram and want to read an honest ShopAKIRA review before clicking that “purchase” button? I’ve got you covered!

You may know by now that I’m always looking for new online retailers. You may also know that a lot of online retailers regularly disappoint me.

Today I want to introduce you to a brand that I recently tried that has not disappointed me yet! In fact, I was very pleasantly surprised with my first experience with them.

My Honest ShopAKIRA review

ShopAKIRA is a Chicago-based company. They actually have boutiques in Illinois and a couple other midwestern states, but they are only online everywhere else (at least currently). They stock fast fashion items similar to what you’d find at Forever 21, Dolls Kill, Pretty Little Thing, Missguided, etc. They are a little more on the edgy side and they stock lots of brands you probably already know and like (think Champion, Adidas, Cape Robbin, I AM GIA, etc.).

When I initially browsed their site, I immediately saw a ton of cute stuff, but a further look had me disappointed that they didn’t offer the majority of products in size XS (if you also wear size XXS/00 normally, check this post for places to shop).

I did find a cute pair of pants in XS, so I decided to try that, plus some funky heels and a layered silver necklace (I recently realized I have no simple silver necklaces, so it was time).

I honestly didn’t have very high hopes for the pants, because shopping for pants online can be tough and a lot of the times an XS is still too big on me.

However, when I tried the pants on, they were a perfect fit — and still super stretchy and comfy.

The shoes were surprisingly comfortable, and are made by ShopAKIRA’s in house brand, Azalea Wang. They also stock lots of shoes from Cape Robbin, which I’ve purchased before from other stores and they always seem to be a good option for affordable and trendy shoes (I am still obsessed with these Cape Robbin OTK boots I snagged from Goodbye Bread).

In terms of the necklace, I mean it’s a fast fashion necklace, it’s pretty standard. I’ve definitely worn it a ton since I bought it (like I said, I had a niche to fill in my jewelry wardrobe), and it hasn’t turned my neck green or anything, so I’d say it’s a win!

What I Bought:

Pants: Mama Mia High Rise Flair Pant, $32.90

Shoes: Azalea Wang Miss Behaving Sexy Stiletto Diamond Sandal, Size 7.5)

Necklace: Amen Layered Choker

The Good:

• Everything seemed true to size
• Lots of selection from cool new brands, and brands you already like — Champion, Adidas, Cape Robbin, I AM GIA, etc.
• Quality was good for the low price
• One stop shop: you can get a cute outfit, shoes, and accessories here
• Comes with a return shipping label so you can return from home

The Bad:

• Most of their items only come in sizes S, M, and L
• Returns aren’t free, they’ll deduct the shipping cost from your refund

The Good To Know:

• Like with most online retailers, the colors of products online can be a little different than how they look in person. I kind of knew the pants I ordered would be greener in person, which I preferred, but they definitely look more yellow online so if you wanted them to be yellow, you may have been disappointed

I hope this Shop Akira review was helpful to you and feel free to comment any questions below!

P.S. I took all of these photos using this $23 remote-control tripod for my iPhone, you can buy it here on Amazon.

Don’t ask me why, but I don’t like to change a zillion times throughout the day. If I wear something to work, I want to be able to wear it out that night—even if I have a good amount of time to change in between.

Of course, maybe I wouldn’t feel this way if I had a job where I had to dress corporate and business professional, but my current job’s dress code is casual, so I like to challenge myself to create outfits that can work for both.

Of course, much to my dismay, I definitely have to cover up in my work attire, whereas my normal style is a bit more revealing. So, here’s a bunch of tops that can work for work (see what I did there?) but can also be sexy for the evening time (generally via a button undone or a tied up hem).

Here are some tops that you can totally take from corporate to hoe:

1. This classic corporate hoe top

I don’t know about you, but I feel like most girl’s go-to corporate hoe outfit is a button-up top with a bra hanging out of it (perhaps repurposed from a schoolgirl costume).

Think of this as an upgraded version. It’s still cute and classic, but looks just as good tucked in or tied low so that it covers your stomach. It also looks great tied high for after-work festivities.

I rented this top from FashionPass and almost bought it because it was so perfect for work, but also for play. All I had to do was unbutton a button (or two), and re-tie it so that it was tighter and more cropped. I went on a first date in it and got asked on a second date, so I feel like that’s a good indicator?

BUY IT HERE

2. A cute band tee that you can wear with a blazer — or tie up

This may not work for every work place, but at my office t-shirts are a-okay according to the dress code (although tbh I’m probably one of the only women who actually rocks t-shirts). Band tees under a blazer are a classic combo in my book, and I also swear by band tees for getting hit on. I wore a The Doors shirt to work the other day and a cute stoner/surfer dude legit came up to my car window, told me he saw me on the street and turned his car around to come talk to me, then sang me “Riders On The Storm” and asked for my number. Would that have happened if I was wearing a solid tee? Maybe, but I can’t say for sure.

Anyway, band tees are always a cute look, and for an extra sex appeal you can always either tie it up to turn it into a chill crop top, or whip your bra off in the bathroom to get a lil’ nip action going on.

BUY IT HERE

3. Or just a basic tee if you don’t feel comfortable rockin’ out at work

If nobody else at your office wears graphic tees, than just a basic tee is my go-to when it comes to work wear that I actually want to wear other places.

I honestly think turtlenecks and t-shirts can be really sexy in their own way, but if you want to up the sex appeal of your basic work tee, you can always strip off your bra at the end of the day like you would normally and just leave that awful Victoria’s Secret thang in your car so that your nips can fly free.

You can also totally tie-it up like the Led Zeppelin tee above.

BUY IT HERE

4. This mullet-like bodysuit

This bodysuit is like a mullet—business in the front, party in the back. Depending on how lax your work dress code is, you can maybe get away with the open back, but considering most offices are freezing year-round, you can just rock a blazer or cardigan on top and whip it off as soon as it hits five PM and your Hinge match is texting you to confirm happy hour plans.

BUY IT HERE

5. A lingerie-inspired, but cleavage-free cami

This top comes in a zillion colors, but naturally the red one is on my wishlist.

Under a blazer, this boob-covering top reminds me of what I thought women wore to work when I was 12 years old, and now I can be that woman!

But seriously, it is a great top to wear under a blazer or cardigan or whatever for in the office, but nice and breezy for lunch break or happy hour or even a post-work booty call.

With a pencil skirt and some heels, you will be the subtly sexy secretary of your office’s dreams (but not HR’s nightmares).

BUY IT HERE

6. A wrap top that can be adjusted for appropriate amounts of boobage

The problem with wrap-tops is they can be super appropriate or super inappropriate depending on how it fits you (and your lovely lady lumps).

The solution to wrap-tops is a discreet safety pin placed properly. Especially with this top, all you have to do is buy a black safety pin (you can get these at CVS). Then, you can make the top super cleavage-free for 9-5, then let your freak flag fly from 5-10.

This top is also just super cute in general even if you don’t need something for work—especially in the yellow shade it comes in!

BUY IT HERE

7. The good ol’ zipper blouse

I mean honestly, why were zipper-tops made if not to adjust your cleavage based on your current situation?

I bet you never thought you’d wear a polo again after you finally donated your Abercrombie ones to Goodwill last year, but the polo will rise again with these cute lil’ o-ring zipper ones from Missguided.

This comes in a bunch of colors, but I feel like the white or black makes it look a little more office-appropriate if that’s what you’re going for.

BUY IT HERE

I hope this gave you some inspo for how to build your work wardrobe so that you also want to wear it out! Because let’s be honest, sometimes going home and sitting on your bed with plans of “getting ready to go out” after work results in you going to bed at 8 PM. Why stop by your apartment when you can go straight from corporate to hoe in a snap?