HOW TO: Buy Designer Goods on a Budget

If you have expensive taste, you’ll know the dreadful feeling of always picking up the priciest item in a store (or doesn’t affect you if you swim in money). That means the end right? Nope, don’t fear, if you know the right places to shop at the right times, you’ll be able to get amazing deals that cost almost the same as your ZARA runs. Here’s how to buy designer goods on a budget.

When?

Holidays like Thanksgiving and Memorial Day are the most obvious times we think of. But don’t forget end of season sales (May-June for fall/ winter and late November- early January for spring/ summer); they are the best times to grab styles that you’ve watched closely for a season. Although you may not get the exact style you want, collections usually have variations of the same motifs that you may still love. So get on those email lists for first access.

Where

Now to the most important part. In most circumstances retailers give greater discounts than brands do, so I usually spend more time there. Here are a few sites that I learned to love (aka bigger discounts):

SSENSE: Canadian retailer that carries modern and fashion forward styles. Their end of season sales usually start at 50% off, but can go onto 70% off if you wait a little longer. Deep discounts even apply to brands like Givenchy and Dolce & Gabbana.

Farfetch: The one address that delivers designer goodies from hundreds of global boutiques. Similar to SSENSE, select items discount for 60%+. But considering their lower-than-big-retailers pricing already, you really can get something for up to 80% off.

OUTNET: Sister site of Net-a-Porter, they claim to be fashion’s hottest outlet. And indeed, if you get to shop their extra 40% off sales (on goods usually discounted 60% already), you’re going to close the tab feeling like a champion. Unlike some outlets, the items they carry are very recent.

Saks off Fifth & Barneys Warehouse: Both sites are great for different tastes. The Direct From Saks Sale and the Up to Extra 60% off Sale for Barneys Warehouse are noteworthy. Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York? Bye.

Sample sales also work great if you don’t mind pieces a few seasons behind and have the time to stand in line. Regular discount sites like Gilt, Bluefly and Rue la la also have amazing deals, but again at the cost of older season items. But either way, happy shopping and let me know of your favorite places to shop for good deals!

-Matt Chu

(Alphabets via ceffany and wystardesign)