I prattle on and on quite a bit here about how you should invest in some high-quality wardrobe staples. Yeah, it sounds great and all, but the whole point of the term ‘investing’ means you have to shell out more cash than you’d like.
Well, friends, let me break it down for you – sales are your BFF. Scouring sale websites obsessively is really the key to stocking your wardrobe with durable pieces that look amazing without breaking the bank. I mean, you’re probably not going to find the most current styles, but the point of buying better stuff is that it should last you a long time. So who cares if your shoes are ‘last season?’
There are a few sale sites that offer up fabulous wardrobe pieces at occasionally fabulous prices. Check out my five go-tos and treat yourself to something pretty.
Rue La La: This flash sale site offers up goods for seriously reasonable prices. The selection tends to be small and a bit picked over, but every so often you’ll find an item you just have to have. Rue La La often brings back the same brands over and over, which doesn’t sound like a good thing but actually is. If you find an item you love but it isn’t available in your size, select the ‘still want it’ option and they’ll send it to you if it comes back in stock. This is a great place to find basic items – think jeans, plain tees and casual dresses.
Gilt: If you live in one of the cities Gilt has a presence in, this is a great place to score discounts for local restaurants, spas and such. If you don’t, fear not; you can still enjoy the wardrobe items they sell for less. This site reigns supreme for little novelty items like nail polish and personal care items. They also have a great selection of high-end clothes, shoes and jewelry.
The Outnet: Head here if you have a taste for luxury. Brands like Oscar de la Renta and Herve Leger sell here and, despite impressive markdowns (80% off isn’t unheard off), they items are still generally pricey.
Bluefly: You have to do a decent amount of sifting to find the good stuff – but once you do, you can score a fabulous deal on Bluefly. The shoe selection seems to be the best, stocking Prada, YSL, Valentino and other lustworthy labels.
Ebay: Not necessarily a sale site, but definitely a place where you can score one hell of a deal. Try this trick: Look for sellers who seem to sell a lot of items from the same brand. He or she could be an employee who uses the wholesale discount to buy and then sell new items for less than retail. Make sure the items are listed as “new with tags” to ensure that they’re unused (if you care about that) and enjoy some crazy low prices. I once scored a BCBG dress for $75 – it originally sold for $398.
[Lead image via Ariwasabi/Shutterstock]
The 5 Essential Fashion Sale Sites You Should Be Shopping
