Have you been eyeing that Marc Jacobs handbag or that beautiful Neiman Marcus dress? You may feel tempted to splurge, but sometimes those designer clothes come with a price tag you just can’t afford or justify.
Luckily, you don’t have to pay $1,000 to get the dress of your dreams. You can still create a wardrobe full of your favorite designers for a fraction of the cost.
And all it takes is a little patience and savvy shopping.
Do you want to know what we’re talking about? Keep reading to learn how you can add designer pieces to your wardrobe on the cheap.
1. Shop Capsule Collections
Have you ever scored a designer piece that was both gorgeous and timeless? You may have told yourself to splurge a little because it’s a staple that won’t go out of style anytime soon.
Well, what if we said that you could shop an entire collection of pieces just like that?
A capsule collection is when a designer chooses a few key pieces from their brand that showcases their vision. These pieces are often considered wardrobe staples as they aren’t limited to a certain season and aren’t overly trendy.
The capsule collection is then mass produced to make the pieces more affordable. However, they’re usually only available for a limited time, so check back often!
2. Rent It
Do you have a special occasion coming up? You may want to dress to impress by rocking your favorite designer. But who can spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on an outfit you’ll only need for one night?
Well, thanks to rental sites, you won’t have to. That’s right; you can rent designer clothes.
You may find a gorgeous $700 dress for only $70 or so a night. Plus, most companies take care of dry cleaning for you, so you just have to ship it back when you’re done.
3. Make a Pact with Your Best Friend
Renting is a great idea if those special events are few and far between. But it can get pricey if you’re renting full outfits every few weeks.
If you have a friend that wears the same size, you can make a pact to share your favorite designer pieces when one of you goes on a date or has an event. Not only will you get access to your best friend’s closet, but you can feel better knowing that $500 dress you splurged on is getting worn more than once.
Of course, you can also extend this to include designer shoes, jewelry, and handbags to complete your outfit.
4. Search for Online Deals
Don’t fool yourself into thinking designer clothes will never get any cheaper. Before you click that “submit order” button, take a minute to search for online deals.
You may find promo codes that can give you a significant discount. If that’s a bust, consider waiting for it to go on sale. At the very least, designer clothes usually go on sale at the end of the season to make way for new arrivals.
Which brings us to our next point…
5. Don’t Buy In-Season
It may be tempting to get that sweater as soon as the fall collection hits the store. But this is when it’s most expensive.
You’ll likely be able to snag some great pieces that you’ve been eyeing all season by just waiting until the next collection comes out.
Just make sure you aren’t buying something that’s about to go out of style. Saving $100 on a skirt won’t help you very much if you won’t wear it when the weather warms up because you’re too focused on the newest summer trends.
Also, be sure to check the store’s return policy. If an item is a final sale, you should be certain that you want it and that you’ll wear it before you pull out your credit card.
6. Shop Online Outlets
Designers often ship their leftover merchandise to annex outlet stores. Here you’ll be able to find tons of amazing pieces for a fraction of the original cost.
Of course, you’ll likely have the biggest selection at the end of the season. So, keep your eyes peeled for your favorite designer’s new line and hit the outlets to snag pieces from last season before they’re gone.
7. Check Out Other Sites
When you have one or two designers you love to shop from, your first thought is probably to hop on their website and see what they have. But you won’t necessarily get a deal by shopping directly from the source.
In fact, you can save tons of money by shopping discount sites. You’ve probably heard of TJ Maxx, but that’s not your online option. For offers, check out places like this site that offers outlet discounts on all your favorite brands, so you can get all your shopping done in one place.
8. Look at Consignment Shops
Don’t forget to check out second-hand shops when on the search for affordable designer clothes. While finding high-end clothing brands in your local thrift shop may be a rare snag, you’ll probably have better luck by looking at consignment shops.
They even have consignment shops dedicated to name-brand clothes! These shops will often clean and make small repairs to ensure the clothes are in the best shape possible.
If you’re still a little weary about buying second-hand, consider starting with items that don’t suffer a lot of wear and tear, such as fancy event gowns, accessories, and handbags.
Don’t Pay Retail for Your Favorite Designers
You’ll never be able to get a wardrobe packed with your favorite designers if you’re always paying retail. Instead, follow our hacks to find designer clothes for a fraction of the cost.
Of course, you can save on more than just high-end clothing brands. If you’re always on the lookout for ways to save money, check out these creative tips today.
