etsy vs. urban outfitters: the smackdown

Ah, Urban Outfitters. Treasure trove of hipster wares. Mecca of ironic graphic tees and neon plastic wayfarers. Purveyor of accessories that make you say, “Ooh, I love that!” and then, “Wait a second, that necklace is $40?” and finally, “Couldn’t I just… make that?”

Well, I can’t “just make that.” That pair of teeny-tiny jewelry pliers I own has drawn more yelps of pain from me than that one end table that seems to move a few inches to the left in the middle of the night. But that’s what Etsy’s for, right? I’m amazed when I see something so simple as, say, a peacock-feathered headband at Urban Outfitters for $30 when I know for a fact that there are gazillions on Etsy for half that. Gazillions, really. And doesn’t it just suck to spend $30 on something you think is so original, only to find that half the other “original” chicks at the trendy new restaurant are sporting the exact same thing?

At any rate, we all know Etsy’s got more creativity and individuality than a thousand shipments of glitter leggings–that’s why I love doing these Smackdowns, as we saw last week with Banana Republic. So let’s take a look at how our Etsy sellers stack up against Urban Outfitters.

(Full Disclosure: Yes, I worked at UO for a summer. Yes, I worked during that one tax-free back-to-school weekend and had to witness a thousand spoiled, rich fat girls squealing and crying for those ultra-stylish ballet flats. Yes, I might still be a little bitter from all the hours I had to spend at the Graphic Tee Table tri-folding shirts with moronic sayings like, “Gettin’ Lucky In Kentucky.” And I might be a little scarred from the weekend of the Gay Black Pride parade, wherein I had to physically help a young man into a pair of size 00 skinny jeans. But yes, despite all of this, I do still truly think Etsy is better. No, I’m not just being a bitterbottom. Enjoy.)

button bracelet, by urban outfitters, $24

czech glass button cab bracelet, by timelesstrinkets, $21

floral accordian flap checkbook by urban outfitters, $18

vintage floral bi-fold wallet by shannyann, $7.50

pins and needles floral scarf, by urban outfitters, $24

floral spring scarf by limiboutique, $15

long chain pocket watch necklace, by urban outfitters, $28

roman mini bronze pocket watch necklace, by analoguepeople, $22

ribbon-wrapped feather headband, by urban outfitters, $24

katie feather headband, by liveinstyle, $18

flying bird necklace, by urban outfitters, $20

fly away home necklace, by dreamyvintage, $16

plastic owl ring, by urban outfitters, $10

blue owl ring by littlepinkbox, $5

bicycle earrings by urban outfitters, $12

pewter bicycle earrings, by michaelandsabriney, $4

uo studded feather earrings, by urban outfitters, $24

peacock feather earrings, by tianarutledge, $15

kimchi blue beaded clutch from urban outfitters, $48

handmade beaded evening bag by hoobin, $25

destination charm necklace, by urban outfitters, $24

paris love letter, by yellowchrysanthemum, $24

rope bracelet with charms, by urban outfitters, $18

the sailor’s knot bracelet in gold, by the vamoose, $18

metal mini-purse necklace, by urban outfitters, $28

golden purse locket, by garagerose, $24

beaded applique headband by urban outfitters, $24

iris sparkling headband, by mixbaby, $22.99