Designer discounts, dress for less, sale, clearance, limited time, mark down, they're all music to my ears. If I could buy all my clothes at Saks or Bergdorf's, I would be a happy girl. And if my closet were filled wall to wall with Chanel and Louboutin's, I would be even happier. But for some of us, there's that pesky little thing called "budget" or "responsibility." We hear it all the time, "mix high end with low end" or "designer dupes," and while that's all fine and well, sometimes you just want the real deal and want to be able to freely shop it.
While I have gotten some nice gifts from my husband over the years, or have occasionally splurged, I am usually looking for designer prices that are not full priced. I don't always have the time or the patience to go to a bring and mortar store and hunt through racks of clothes, so online is basically how I shop. My favorites are Rue La La, Gilt and Hautelook. It always helps to know a little about discount designer sites, i.e. how they function and what to be aware of, so below I've listed five of my tips and ticks for fun and trustworthy digital buying experience.
1. The Early Bird Catches the Worm
When you your inbox is already 1,000 messages deep, what's another one, right? Most of the sites make you sign up with your email; this is a good thing because they will notify you when a sale is happening. Often, it has a start time and an end time. The good stuff is limited and sells out quickly, so make sure you're the first to log in, add to cart and check out.
2. Spend More, Save More...in Shipping
The downside to some of these sites is that they don't have an amazing shipping policy like Amazon Prime. Read their rules before you buy. You may have to hit a minimum or there will be a charge for shipping. For example, Gilt requires a $99 shopping cart for free shipping, which, let's face it, chances are your cart dollars will be over that.
3. Share the Love
The first thing I do when I find something that I really like is I tell someone. Some of the sites have a referral program, so if you refer your friend and they make a purchase you can get a nice credit. For example, if you invite a friend or a few friends to shop at Hautelook you can get a $20.00 credit on each first purchase!
4. Shop with Purpose: The Rule of Three
Saving up to 70 percent sounds very enticing, but it's important to not impulse buy and end up with something that's a great price but you will never wear. I go by a rule of three - if you can't think of three things that I currently have in my closet to wear with it, I won't buy it. Try to think ahead of time of what you're specifically looking for. You want to make a smart decision, not get a good deal.
5. Read the Returns
Unless your order arrives damaged or defective, you may have to pay for return shipping if you aren't satisfied. Some items that are final sale are not even returnable, so make sure you are aware of the site's return policy. I am a huge fan of Hautelook because they are affiliated with Nordstrom Rack, so you can return your purchase at any location.
About the Author
Carrie Mehl is a fashion and style specialist. Originally going to school for fashion, Carrie has always had a deep appreciation for design and style in which she incorporates into her daily life.
She has had an extensive career in marketing management, focusing specifically on creative strategy, branding and digital. Carrie has applied her vision and expertise in a variety of industries from finance to media. Within all of her roles, she has been fortunate enough to sharpen her knowledge in many areas such as styling, creative direction and content development. She has led projects for national companies, from wardrobe styling to designing a 20,000+ square-foot wellness center.
Her goal is to provide styling tips for everyone, discuss the application of designer trends and marry the world of fashion into functional lifestyle.
