Honestly, who doesn’t love the idea of owning something from a designer brand? No, not just one item, but maybe multiple items? Well, in order to achieve that, you’d either have to be rich or max out your credit cards, right? Absolutely not! Designer products, such as Burberry, Gucci, Dior, YSL, or whatever you name them, seem to be more popular now than ever before. It’s not hard to see why: their clothes look better, feel better, and it’s nice to get away from fast fashion too.
But how can you shop for discounted designer clothing without having to break the bank, let alone avoid getting yourself into debt? Well, here’s exactly what you need to know!
Outlet Stores
Most folks, when they think of outlet stores, are probably thinking about Ross and TK Maxx; while sure, they have some nice brands there like Calvin Klein and Nike, there’s no way they would hold designer brands, right? Well, this is where you’d be wrong! So, you have to keep in mind that not all outlet stores are the same.
But yes, for the most part, these stores often carry last season’s stock or overproduced items from your favorite luxury brands at significantly reduced prices. Not only do you get to enjoy substantial discounts, but you also get to try on the items and ensure they fit perfectly before buying.
So does that mean that a store like Ross would carry brands like Chanel? No, maybe some Ralph Lauren home products are the best. However, outlet malls like those operated by Premium Outlets or Tanger Outlets are scattered throughout the country and often house multiple high-end brands under one roof. Actually, at the Orlando Outlet in Florida, there’s even a Gucci outlet store where you can book an appointment!
Social Media
So, there are different ways you can actually go about this; for starters, you could follow your favorite designers and retailers on social media for flash sales, discount codes, and early access to sales. Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are great platforms for this. Brands often announce special promotions and sales to their followers, giving you a head start. The same can be said for newsletters, too.
But truth be told, this actually may be the least effective way, so instead, you might want to take advantage of looking into Facebook Marketplace for finds; there are usually groups you can look into as well; for example, there are plenty of groups where Selkie dresses are up to sale. If there are any major second-hander sellers within your area or willing to ship, you could follow them online. But speaking of sellers…
Online Marketplaces
Websites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist (to a degree), Poshmark, DePop, Vinted, and Vestiaire Collective are fantastic places to find gently used designer clothing at a fraction of the original price. Now, you have to keep in mind that these are usually vintage items, so wear and tear could be likely, but sometimes there are newer items being sold, too. Overall, these platforms allow individuals to sell their pre-loved items, and you can often find barely worn or even new-with-tags pieces for much less than retail.
But how do you know they’re not going to be fake? Well, don’t be afraid to ask for proof of authenticity if needed. Many of these sites offer buyer protection, giving you peace of mind. Plus, eBay and Vinted are pretty strict when it comes to selling fakes, so you will be protected, and you can even pay extra to make sure you’re getting the real deal.
Thrift Stores
If you love the thrill of the hunt, thrift stores and consignment shops are your playgrounds. These stores can be gold mines for designer clothing, often at rock-bottom prices (well, usually at least) But you have to keep in mind that thrifting requires a bit of patience and a keen eye, but the rewards can be immense.
Do your research to know which stores in your area are known for carrying higher-end items. Ideally, you look into thrift stores that are close to rich neighborhoods, but alternatively, you could sometimes even find thrift stores that solely focus on designer items; granted, they’re usually in fashion capitals of the world like London, NYC, Milan, and Paris- but they technically so exist, and you’re still saving some money.
Consignment Shops
So, what about consignment shops? They’re similar to thrift stores, but they’re more strict with what they sell (which is a good thing for you). Plus, consignment shops will usually focus on a more curated collection that’s higher quality; Buffalo Exchange and Crossroads are two pretty good examples of this. Now, don’t expect to get designer goods for dirt cheap, but you can at least expect a nice discount.
Look into Online Retailers
Why brave the crowds at an outlet store when you can find amazing deals online? Actually, several websites specialize in offering discounted designer clothing, and the best part? You can shop right from the comfort of your couch. There are a lot of different ones out there, so you might even want to compare each website and see what they have and whether or not you can stack coupons.
So, there’s The Outnet, owned by Net-A-Porter, which offers up to 75% off designer brands; there’s also Yoox, which is highly loved because it often gives massive discounts on designer clothing, shoes, and accessories. Plus, its Black Friday sales are phenomenal! Gilt, known for its flash sales, offers limited-time discounts on top designer brands, but Yooxs tends to have more sales.
Be Realistic
At the end of the day, you’re going to have to be realistic about all of this because you can’t expect to get designer items for mere pennies; as dreamy as that might sound, it’s just not going to happen! But overall, you’re going to have to keep an open mind about all of this because designer items are expensive, and sometimes, even with mark downs, they can still be expensive, and you might not always be able to find the exact piece you’re looking for either.
