London Fashion Week is approaching and soon Britain’s’ newspapers and magazines will be full of articles getting confused, critical and curious about the latest catwalk crazes. Instagram will be awash with influencing and, perhaps most pertinently, the fashionistas among us will suffer from the annual crushing realisation that we can’t afford any of what’s trending. But what if there was a way to find high end fashion labels on the cheap? Well, we’re sure you know what’s coming……there is! With that in mind, here are 4 IDEAL ways to get designer brands at bargain prices.
OFF-SEASON SAVVY
A piece of insider advice so well known it’s practically public property, yet still one so rarely taken advantage of; buying brands offseason is generally much cheaper. Of course, a fair amount foresight is required – something not many of us possess in this age of immediacy and instant gratification – but the rewards are significant.
Perhaps the most well-known retailer of off-season branded clothing is actually online, at The Outnet. These guys stock fashion from more than 350 designers’ previous season’s collection. Just make sure to visit on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday for the very best bargains, as this is when new items get posted in their ‘just in’ section. Of course, this is just one of many off-season outlets. Other favourites include Rue La La and Gilt; both members only but very much worth being part of.
DISCOUNT CODES
There’s further good news to be found. Many of fashion retail websites, including those mentioned above, offer even more reductions in the form of discount codes and special offers. Simply search online for a thorough rundown of the best codes of the week, and check out the corresponding websites for high-end, low price fashion. Result!
BRAND BORROWING
We know the feeling. You’re longing to be dressed in the latest designer gear, and you’d beg, borrow or steal to make it happen. Well, we’re not encouraging the former or latter just for a fashion fix, but many websites now offer the opportunity to borrow high-end brands’ latest line, just to wear for a single evening, event or trip. At a fraction of the cost of buying it, of course. We all know that the second time you wear a really expensive outfit, the impact is lessened considerably.
This is why websites like Rent the Runway and FrontRow are growing in popularity. Renting, it seems, is the new black.
FLASH SALES
Plenty of online fashion retailers reserve their very best prices and special offers for periodic ‘flash sales’. These occur at a set time and for a short time, meaning it’s essential that you sign up to the websites for newsletters and most importantly, those ‘push notifications’ which announce an imminent nosedive of prices on selected items. What’s in it for them, we hear you ask. Well, they have your undivided attention for as long as you’re subscribed and allowing their notifications. A small price to pay, we think.
