WITH designer fashion becoming more and more accessible on the high street it’s hard to know where to shop to keep up with the trends.
Designer styles copied countless times and thrown out in bulk on the high street can look and feel cheap.
However, there is hope. There really is nothing better than splurging on a designer piece that is timeless and makes you feel a million dollars – plus when a friend asks where your dress is from saying ‘McQueen’ feels so much better than saying ‘Primark’.
So, where do we get these pieces without burning a MASSIVE hole in your pocket and having to eat baked beans for the rest of the month (don’t be ashamed, we have all been there)?
Splash Out at the Outnet.com
The Outnet is NOT for the faint hearted – we are talking serious designers and serious deals.
Here you will find a range of fabulous high end designers at a fraction of the price – but that fraction is still often a month’s wages.
The range of designer’s stocked here is vast and the occasional sales can result in incredible bargains on pieces by designers such as Balmain, McQueen, Westwood, Erdem, Gucci, Valentino.... the list is endless.
Not to mention the ‘cheaper’ designers and concession lines such as Marc by Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors and T by Alexander Wang.
Not to rush you, but there is a massive clearance sale online now. Be still my beating debit card.
By the same company that runs Net-A-Porter the pieces are genuine and the customer service excellent. Net-A-Porter also run sales – grab a deal there now.
Spending Style for the Boys
By ‘boys’, we mean ‘men’ as again these pieces and prices are not for the faint-hearted.
Mr Porter is the brother company to the Outnet and Net-A-Porter and perfect for bagging designer deals and finding high end pieces to complete the ultimate gentleman chic.
http://www.mrporter.com/
Flash Sales
Brand Alley – Fashion, Home and Everything Inbetween
If you want a REAL deal and are willing to bide your time looking for great deals then Brandalley.com is the site for you.
Running a selection of private sales as well as a parallel outlet, this website constantly offers great deals on lower end designers such as DKNY, Diesel and many more.
There is also a great range of accessories, designer home ware, kids wear, lingerie, menswear and high end bargains such as handbags by Louis Vuitton and Chanel.
The delivery is a little pricey and you must wait until the sale ends before the item is delivered but this is a wonderful way to grab bargains for your whole life.
I genuinely drool over designer home ware – who doesn’t need a bright pink colander and matching scissors?
Cocosa – Serious Style
Cocosa is another flash sale site offering wonderful deals on mid level designers such as Michael Kors or Goat (currently offering discounts up to 64% off!)
The outlet also offers menswear deals, kids wear and lifestyle brands. Lulu Guiness bright pink suitcase anyone?
Ebay Designer Outlet
Aside from the bidding excitement and dodgy unwashed Primark dresses, Ebay hosts a designer Outlet that sells a huge number of great designer labels at discounted prices – many stores using the site to sell slightly damaged items and massive discounts. (Check out the Schuh outlet on ebay!)
One of the best designer outlets on ebay at the moment is French Connection who are running a MASSIVE sale through the site. Time to pick up a bargain!
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/French-Connection-Outlet
QVC
When you think of QVC the first thing that probably comes to mind is a cheesy home shopping presenter trying to palm off some crappy earrings as ‘genuine diamante’.
Well, do not cast off the QVC website so easily. QVC is undoubtedly one of the best places to pick up luxury beauty items and the occasional designer deal.
Brands such as Nails Inc., Elemis and L’Occitane are known to offer great discounts through QVC all year round.
The company also offers an ‘easy pay’ option so you can pay for your items in monthly instalments.
The whole range of products does have to be carefully checked but even for your home basics QVC will have a great option and a great payment plan.
Current deals include Clarks shoes, Dyson vacuum cleaners, Elemis products and Yankee Candles.
TK Maxx
On highstreets across Britain TK Maxx is building a strong following of designer addicts.
Shopping there is a massive palaver and there are no signs showing you the BEST designer deals that you will usually find in the clearance section (I once found a pair of All Saints jeans in there for £5!).
If you have serious shopping stamina and are happy to rake the rails on a regular basis then you will come away pleased almost every time!
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