Designer clothing can be beautiful and well-made, but all that gorgeous, painstaking detail of fit and design can carry a painful price tag. If you're on the hunt for labels from Gucci to Michael Kors but don't want to pay full price, you've come to the right place. Find all the best tips and tricks for saving money on designer duds right here.
Get designer clothes at a discount
Some online shops specialize in carrying designer pieces that are priced well below full price. If you're on the lookout for a perfect summer dress from Marc by Marc Jacobs, you'll find it at TK Maxx* for 60% less than anywhere else.
Or, if you're looking to score designer bargains, head to the Outnet*. As the internet's answer to designer outlets, this site has amazing discounts that rotate between different designers. Haunt the Outnet to grab 50% off trainers from Jimmy Choo* now, and more deals on other labels later.
Take advantage of a student discount
Living the student life can be rough. You can’t work as much as you’d like because you’re busy studying, and your pay checks suffer the consequences. Luckily, there is hope for all you scholars out there. You can still enjoy shopping for designer clothes from the comfort of your flat with student discounts.
ASOS offers a student discount of 10% off*. This is an awesome deal because you’ll get a discount on clothing that is rarely on sale. Sign up and save on items from designers like 7 for all Mankind and Polo Ralph Lauren.
Urban Outfitters also has a 10% student discount* that you can apply to designer pieces from Calvin Klein or Tommy Jeans. Or check out French Connection's generous 20% student discount* to rock the latest trends like floral prints, cold shoulder, and pastel.
Shop Outlet and Clearance
Wearing designer clothes can transform you, from your outlook on the day to the way they feel on your body, you just feel special when you wear them. But the price tag can be humbling. One way to get those designer outfits without having to make extreme financial sacrifices is to shop the outlet and clearance sections of your favourite stores.
Flannels* is a shop that stands out here. You can save 70% on some of the outlet pieces. A quick browse on their outlet page and you'll find Michael Kors jeans from £29 or Gucci silk shirts for 50% off. You'll be able to put together a winning combination here for sure.
If you're already a fan of Farfetch*, you'll know they have a great sale section, and that includes designer clothing. Prepare yourself to be amazed at the discounts – grab Versace tops for 40% off or Stella McCartney trousers for 60% less. You'll be outfitted head to toe in brand name clothing for a fraction of the price.
If you're looking for even more options for savings, head to Next and peruse their clearance section*. You'll see Armani and Tommy Hilfiger jackets for under £190, and Karen Millen jumpsuits for 55% off. Mix and match brands to find your perfect outfit.
When you shop the outlets, you'll come across some items that are last season but you'll find pieces that you can currently wear too. Plus designer brands have more longevity than other brands, so one jacket will carry you through many years.
Sign up for rewards programs
Once you've found a shop that has consistently great deals on the designers that you love, you can save even more by signing up for their points or rewards program.
But this can be a tricky prospect, especially if you're fond of online shopping. Links to VIP programs aren't always obvious, so we've dug up some for you!
Sign up for the TK Maxx VIP* shopping experience to access exclusive flash sales on designer lingerie, dresses, and more.
ASOS also has a great program that they call the A-List*. You'll have to sign up for an ASOS account to join the A-list, but once you do you can gain points for joining, for shopping, on double points days, and on your birthday. And while ASOS sells casual wear that's not necessarily designer, you can redeem your points on luxe labels such as Armani and Tommy Hilfiger in their designer section.
For a truly luxe shopping experience, gather points as part of the Flannels loyalty program*, and then redeem those points when they stock new arrivals twice a year (March and September). And what is better than a brand new Michael Kors bag, for free?
Get it now, pay later
Any seasoned online shopper knows the pain of buying an item only to realise once you receive it that it doesn’t fit. Instead, these shops offer a way to hold off payments on your designer goods called pay later.
Once you've been approved, you can use Klarna's pay later credit program through ASOS*. All you have to do is provide your mobile number and email address, and you'll go through a crediting scoring process to access the program. They’ll even send you a reminder two days before your final payment is due so you’ll never miss a deadline.
You can also use a pay later service when shopping at Next*. In each case, once approved you can order pieces from designers like Ted Baker or Vivienne Westwood and try them all on. Then send back any that don't fit you and only pay for the items you're keeping!
How to afford designer handbags
With your new designer clothes, you'll need a designer handbag to complete the look. Whether you're into a cross-body bag, clutch, or shoulder bag, you'll be able to get that handbag for a bargain.
There's a few ways you can grab a handbag at a discount. One option is to sign up for the newsletters of your favourite brands like Kate Spade* or Coach*, and they'll bring the sales and discount news straight to your inbox so you'll always know what's going on.
Another way to shop handbags for less is in the sale sections of the designer websites. You can click on the tab that says "Outlet, "Sale" or "Clearance" on your chosen brands and find some nice savings like 30% off Fendi bags from Farfetch*.
Finally, if you're not tied to any brand in particular and just want to look at all the options, shop on sites like The Outnet* or ASOS*, they carry a huge collection of designer bags like Coach, Dolce & Gabbana, Marc Jacobs, and Tory Burch for discounts ranging from 20% to 60% off.
Armed with the knowledge of how to build a luxe wardrobe for less, it's time for you to start shopping! Thinking of spending on kids' designer clothes as well? Head over to the Alex and Alexa* site to shop miniature versions of your favourite pieces from designers like Burberry or Dolce and Gabbana. They even have an outlet section as well as periodic further reductions on outlet finds. You'll have the most stylish kids around, and save a bundle as well.
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