This is an updated blog post that was originally published on my old blog here.
Twenty-seven years into life, I can still remember the exact moment I fell in love with fashion. I noticed a coat that was featured in my Mom’s Vogue magazine. The model was wearing this amazing plum colored plaid coat with brown fur cuffs, collar, and trim (I may be dating myself…) and once I saw it I couldn’t stop staring at it. I didn’t know clothes could be that beautiful. Where did you even get something like that?
Soon afterwards I was at the mall with my Mom while she ran some errands. Walking by the store windows, I started to notice pieces that I liked and outfits on mannequins that looked good together, and started mentally putting things together for different fictional events and people in my head. I honestly had never thought twice about clothes before. Sure, I liked the occasional dress from Limited Too, or the Mary Kate and Ashley collection at Walmart, but this wasn’t the same. Nothing had inspired me like this before – we were on a whole new level of clothing. All of a sudden it was like I was seeing a whole new section of life that I hadn’t even known about. How were people not more excited about this?!
Like many teenage girls, I enjoyed going to the mall and shopping with my friends. The potential of a new outfit was exciting and I was always on the hunt. There was just one problem: I usually couldn’t afford the things that I liked (unfortunately, I still deal with this problem). So, in order to find things that I could actually purchase, I became really good at shopping sales. Every shopping trip would either end with my showing off a new purchase to my family and explaining how I had found something for under $10 (a tank top that was originally $25, but then got reduced to $18, and then got placed on the additional 60% off rack, and I had a 15% off coupon), or a consolation Auntie Anne’s pretzel. There were no other outcomes.
After I got to college I started working and earning my own money, and saving a little more aggressively for my closet (and other goals), but I still wasn’t there yet. No, I couldn’t regularly drop $600 on a pair of shoes (still can’t), but I could occasionally spend $150, and if that $150 was actually a $600 pair I fell in love with 4 months ago that was now 75% off… you see where I’m going with this. I’ve put a lot of research into finding where to buy discount designer clothes.
Keep in mind that just because something is heavily discounted, doesn’t mean you need to get it. I’ve made that mistake more than once, and it’s a waste of hard earned money. But, if you’re on the hunt for a black mini skirt or a good pair of wedges, it doesn’t hurt to check out these places first ;).
WHERE TO BUY DISCOUNTED DESIGNER CLOTHES ONLINE
ONLINE OUTLETS
- 6pm – 6pm is the Zappos online outlet. I usually end up browsing things from most expensive to least expensive and clicking through the initial pages to get to my price range. Otherwise it can be really crowded with items you don’t need to be looking at. I’ve found numerous deals on Michael Kors and Stuart Weitzman shoes in particular here.
- The Outnet – The Outnet is the Net-a-Porter online outlet. I know. I. Know.
- TJ Maxx – They have a designer section online. I was shocked too.
- Century 21 – Also has a luxury designer section.
- Saks Off 5th
- Barney’s Warehouse
- Neiman Marcus Last Call
- Nordstrom Rack – Again, sorting from high to low prices will get you straight to the good stuff.
- Joma Shop – This place has discounted and pre-owned watches, jewelry, sunglasses, and handbags. You can find 80+ percent discounts on brands like Dior and Versace, as well as savings on Bvlgari, Rolex, Cartier, and more.
- Overstock – Yes, they have a designer boutique and even a luxury watch section.
- United Apparel Liquidators – This site has a pretty small selection, but holy moly are the discounts steep.
FLASH SALE WEBSITES
- Amuze – This site is actually pretty amazing. I’ve seen everything from Celine to Louboutins go on sale here for great prices. Get $25 off your first purchase with the link I provided.
- Gilt
- Rue La La
- Haute Look
- Beyond the Rack
ONLINE SHOPPING ABROAD
Conversion rates for other countries can save you a lot of money, even with shipping and import tax. For example, did you know that right now you can purchase Christian Louboutin Pigalles for $480 at Selfridges instead of the $675 they charge in the United States? Just always be aware of conversion rates, shipping, and import taxes. It also helps to have a credit card with no international fee.
- Italist
- Selfridges
- Farfetch – this one can be pretty hit or miss, so definitely make sure to check and compare with other sites, because you won’t necessarily be getting the best price.
- Pret a Voir – If you’re going to be purchasing a pair of sunglasses you should really just try them on in person and then use this website to purchase them. I regularly see pairs for $200ish on this website that are closer to $400 in stores. You’re welcome.
ONLINE SECOND HAND
- Vestiaire Collective
- LXR & CO
- The Real Real
- LePrix – (formerly SnobSwap).
- Luxury Garage Sale
- Rent the Runway – This site allows you to rent occasion wear and higher end pieces, but once they get taken out of circulation, they are sold at a steep discount in their “flash sale” section.
- REBAG
- What Goes Around Comes Around
- Tradesy
- Fashionphile
- Bag Borrow or Steal – This is a website that was originally designed as “Netflix for purses”, but now they are also selling their old stock on the website, similar to Rent the Runway.
- RESEE
- Beacon’s Closet
- INA
- Designer Exchange
- Yoogi’s Closet
- eBay – eBay has a luxury landing page for jewelry and watches, clothing, and accessories. One eBay shop in particular that I also like to peruse is Xupes (they only have a website/store in the UK, but they are also on eBay). If you are worried about an item’s authenticity on eBay, you can request that an authenticator take a look at the listing with websites like Authenticate First.
Where do you guys find designer deals online? Have I missed any sites? I’d like for this to be a growing and active list for everyone to use as a reference, so let me know in the comments and happy shopping!
Vibrators says
Until recently, it took some skill to be fashionable while shopping for secondhand products. You d have to take the time to sift through piles of clothes at Goodwill or the Salvation Army, or perhaps a consignment shop like Buffalo Exchange, then figure out how to put together an eclectic, bohemian, or vintage look. But not only is buying secondhand good value for money, it is great for the environment because it ensures that products circulate in the economy longer and stay out of landfills. This helps justify all the labor, raw materials, and energy that went into the manufacturing process.
BeckySWM says
Very true! Second hand is much better for the environment =)