Fashion magazines, websites and TV shows are all bringing you the trendy looks for the coming season – your clothing budget is bringing you a migraine headache. If you are a fashionista with Champagne tastes on a diet soda pocketbook, fear not. Top designer clothing can be available to you at low prices if you’ll make some effort to scout it out.
Thanks to the Internet, bargain hunting means a lot less sore feet and a lot more “mission accomplished.” It’s not unusual anymore to find first-quality, brand-new designer clothing through online vendors. Prices can range from a minimum of 40 percent off retail price to as much as 80 percent in some cases.
Finding these outlets can be easy with a simple online search. Simply type the name of your favorite designer and words like “outlet,” “sale” or “clearance” into the search box, and the search engine will produce a list of possibilities for you within seconds. The first thing to check for when you visit these sites is the vendor’s return policy. After all, there’s no way – even “virtually” – to try on designer skirts and shoes purchased from a website. The best outlets always have generous return policies, so if you hit one that doesn’t, move on.
Many online designer clothing outlets introduce new outfits and styles every day. The catch is, thousands, perhaps even millions, of savvy shoppers are watching for these new items. Unlike upscale consignment stores, it’s not wise to play “resale roulette,” holding off on a purchase until you see how much the price comes down. When you find that designer brand neon pink shirt in your size online for 40 percent off retail price, buy it immediately! There’s no guarantee it will be there the next time you visit that website.
If you and your best shopping buddy are simply dying for some in-person retail therapy, then try one of the upscale resale or consignment shops in your area. Once again you can get a list of quality resale shops with an online search, and often the search will produce maps and directions as well the names and addresses of the shops.
Before you head out, however, try making a couple of telephone calls to the shops on your list. Not all resale shops are created equal, and when looking for designer clothing on a budget, you want to make sure you don’t waste your time with an outlet that doesn’t usually carry what you want. Look especially for resale shops in or near some of the wealthier locales in your community. Many women who wear designer clothing often don’t want to be seen in the same outfit twice, so they send their discards to their local resale shop. The savings can run from 50 to 75 percent for designer clothes that have been worn once.
Finally, some of the major department stores in your area may host designer trunk sales or sample sales from time to time. Unless the designer specializes in plus-size fashion, these kinds of sales often feature the smallest sizes. If your dress size falls in this size range, you may strike gold at a designer’s trunk sale.
Want the label without the expense? Check out designer clothing outlets on the Internet and make your dreams come true.