ASOS
Massive online retailer with affordable fashion for every body type and character look
Overview
ASOS is a UK-based online fashion retailer that ships globally, offering an enormous selection of clothing, shoes, and accessories across hundreds of brands and their own label. Their inclusive size range and trend-driven inventory make it easy to find audition-appropriate pieces.
The site's filtering tools let you narrow down by color, price, size, brand, and style, which is helpful when you need a specific look for a character. Free returns make it practical to order multiple options and keep only what works.
How It Works
ASOS carries both their own affordable house brand and curated selections from mid-range labels. This variety means you can find everything from streetwear to cocktail attire in a single order.
Prices are generally budget-friendly, with most pieces falling between $15 and $80. The ASOS Premier delivery subscription offers unlimited express shipping for a flat annual fee, which is useful for last-minute audition wardrobe needs.
Who Uses It
A go-to for actors who prefer online shopping and need a wide variety of looks available quickly. The generous return policy makes it low-risk to experiment with different character wardrobes. Their mobile app makes it easy to browse and purchase on the go, which is helpful when you get a last-minute audition notice and need a specific look. ASOS also offers style recommendations based on your purchase history, which can help you discover new character wardrobe options you might not have considered.
Pricing & Plans
ASOS prices are among the most accessible in online fashion, with their house brand items typically ranging from $10 to $50 and curated third-party brands falling between $30 and $120. The ASOS Premier delivery subscription costs approximately $19 per year and provides unlimited next-day delivery, which is a strong value for actors who order frequently for audition wardrobe needs. Student discounts of 10 to 20 percent are available through UNiDAYS and other student verification platforms, which benefits actors still in training programs. Free standard shipping kicks in on orders over $40, and returns are free within 28 days with a prepaid label. Compared to similar fast-fashion retailers like H&M, Zara, or Boohoo, ASOS offers a significantly wider selection and more inclusive size range at comparable prices. Sale sections regularly feature markdowns of 50 to 70 percent, making it possible to build a versatile audition wardrobe for under $100 if you shop strategically.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
The sheer breadth of ASOS's inventory is its most significant advantage, with over 85,000 products available at any given time across hundreds of brands and styles. Their inclusive size range, spanning ASOS Petite, Tall, Curve, and Plus lines, ensures that actors of all body types can find well-fitting pieces without resorting to specialty retailers. The filtering and search tools are among the best in online retail, letting you narrow results by color, price, occasion, and even specific character archetypes like office wear or streetwear. Free returns with a generous 28-day window eliminate the financial risk of ordering multiple options and keeping only what works for your audition. The ASOS Design house brand offers trend-current pieces at remarkably low prices that photograph well despite their affordability. Their visual search feature lets you upload photos of a character's wardrobe from a breakdown and find similar pieces instantly.
What Could Be Better
Quality on ASOS house brand items can be inconsistent, with some pieces looking and feeling noticeably cheap in person compared to their product photos. Sizing varies significantly between their own brand and third-party labels, making it difficult to order the right size without trying items on first. The fast-fashion production model means that specific items sell out quickly and are often not restocked, which is frustrating if you find a perfect audition piece and cannot reorder it later. Fabric quality on lower-priced items tends to wrinkle easily and may not hold up well under studio lighting or on camera at close range. Customer service response times can be slow, particularly during sale periods, which is problematic when you need a quick resolution on a time-sensitive audition wardrobe order. The environmental impact of fast fashion is a growing concern, and actors who prioritize sustainability may find ASOS's business model at odds with their values.
Our Recommendation
We recommend ASOS for actors who need a wide variety of affordable wardrobe options and value the convenience of online shopping with free returns. It is especially useful for actors in smaller markets without access to diverse retail options, as the extensive catalog compensates for limited local shopping. If you primarily audition for roles requiring high-quality, polished looks such as luxury brand executives or high-society characters, ASOS house brand items may not pass muster on camera and you should invest in higher-end pieces. Actors who prefer to shop sustainably should consider secondhand platforms like ThredUp or Depop instead. For plus-size and petite actors, ASOS is one of the best options available due to their genuinely inclusive sizing that goes beyond token offerings. We suggest using ASOS for trend-driven, character-specific pieces rather than wardrobe staples, where investing in higher quality pays off over time.
Pro Tips
Create a wishlist of character wardrobe staples before browsing to avoid impulse purchases that clutter your closet without serving specific audition needs. Order two sizes of any item you are unsure about, since free returns make this a zero-risk strategy that saves you from keeping an ill-fitting piece out of convenience. Check the fabric composition listed on each product page and prioritize cotton, linen, and wool blends over pure polyester, which can look shiny and cheap under audition room lighting. Set up sale alerts for specific categories you frequently need, such as business casual or streetwear, to catch markdowns before popular sizes sell out. Use the ASOS app's visual search feature by screenshotting character references from casting breakdowns to quickly find matching wardrobe pieces. Steam or iron every ASOS purchase before wearing it to an audition, as items shipped in poly bags almost always arrive wrinkled and need attention before they look camera-ready.