Confessions of a Savvy Shopper!

Savvy shopping is a real thing! No matter the price point or designs you desire, there is always a way to be a frugal fashionista...

My fave fashion victories have come from various places, but no matter what, it’s about knowing what your searching for and making it your shopping mission to find it for less. Always be realistic and you’ll never be disappointed, you might even be pleasantly surprised! 

Let’s start with brick-and-mortar stores. My personal favorites will always be the outlets and off-price stores. With the economy shaken over the past year, stores have had to clear out their inventory at sometimes bargain basement prices. You see the savings when you head to the outlets of places like Kenneth Cole, Calvin Klein, White House Black Market, even Saks (Off Fifth). Retailers have to make projections and buy their merchandise almost a year in advance, which means there exists a potential for miscalculation. It could be that an item didn’t sell because they marked it up too much. It could also be that they bought too many pieces and they couldn’t move the units they had predicted. Either way it’s always a bank error in your favor and also is reason to never assume that outlet merchandise is of lesser quality. 

~My Cole Haan boots from Saks (Off 5th) Orig: $500, I paid: $130!!!~

 

(I would just like to note however that some larger stores do create lower price point items specifically for outlets, especially bigger names like Gap for example.)

My new favorite outlet is the Tanger Outlet in Long Island. It is GORGEOUS and happens to also be brand new and one of the largest outlets I have ever seen! Other great places to go on style safari are Marshall’s, T.J. Maxx, or Century 21 but they can be hit or miss and you have to be willing to dig a little. I recommend going to these stores early when everything is still in some semblance of order.

My 2 online shopping sanctuaries are Gilt Groupe and believe it or not, E-Bay. Gilt started as an invite-only shopping community (now you can sign yourself up) with limited time deals on designer clothes; we are talking off the runway here people! Once you get a referral to join you can invite other friends. When a friend makes their first purchase, you get a $25 credit. I’ve been able to snag a Chloe dress and Kate Spade bag for almost 1/4 of the retail price! Again this is the real deal guys- buyers for the company negotiate to take remaining product off designers hands at super low prices because the inventory needs to be cleared. Timing is everything and there are different designer sales daily.

 E-bay is great if you know what you’re doing when sleuthing for designer finds. I’ve had success with vintage designer bags and clothing and my latest conquest was a nearly $450 Kate Spade bag I got for $180. Buyers beware though because there are TONS of knock-offs out there. Always look at the fine print on a description and check out the seller’s ratings. You can always ask questions and some people have lenient return policies if the items isn’t as they described it.

~My new Kate Spade bag!~

 So be an educated shopper and go forth for savings!

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