♥ DESIGNER BUYS FOR LESS? COUNT ME IN! ♥
If ya’ll know anything about me, you know I LOVE some good designer goodies. Ever since I was a teenager, I began my handbag obsession, saving up for designer bags like Gucci, Dior, LV etc + as I got older I moved on to Chanel, Hermes + more. Recently I have been also stocking up on designer shoes like Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Stuart Weitzman + more. While I love designer must-haves, I learned that sometimes buying brand new in store isn’t the most cost effective so I am sharing my secrets with ya here!
First up, SHOES! So I have scored tons of designer heels, boots + more all for 40% Off or MORE! How?? Easy, research baby. I search the SALE section of my favorite sites that have all the designers I love + keep an eye out for certain styles I am lusting after or staple pieces I can interchange with various outfits etc. I found that investing in classic pumps, sandals etc that are nicely constructed really last a while PLUS they are easily repaired from your local shoemaker or one of my go-to shoe + handbag magicians, PurseRehab! They can fix ANYTHING! From resoling your shoes to fixing fabric damage, stains etc…such a must-have if you are a designer lover like me so you don’t worry about messing up your higher end pieces.
While certain staples like the Manolo Blahnik Hangsi Pump may not go on sale brand new from certain retailers, a great option is to search for them ‘New with Tags‘ from eBay Fashion, Poshmark, Yoogi’s Closet, FashionPhile, The Real Real + more! These second hand retailers often have shoes + bags in MINT condition and you can usually save on shipping, tax or snag them under current retail price AND they are all GUARANTEED AUTHENTIC (make sure you 100% verify the seller)!
When it comes to buying second hand designer goods here are some things I look for:
Box, Authenticity Card / Papers, Dust Bag
(these are helpful to verifying the shoes or bag are REAL + AUTHENTIC, plus they are helpful when going to resell in the future if that is something you are interested in doing)
Condition
(examine the photos very carefully, look for discoloration, damaged threading, piping etc, marks, tears etc…while these aren’t deal breakers, they do contribute to quality factor however you may be able to use these hiccups to your advantage + simply go to a place like PurseRehab to repair those issues at a relatively low cost making the items look BRAND NEW for less!)
Compare Costs
(just because you find a Chanel for a killer price doesn’t mean that is the best deal out there, search the serial number of the item – any reputable seller should have that or the full product name for you to do a quick search + compare pricing, condition etc from other sellers)
Whether you are searching for brand new pieces at a trustee retailer like Net-A-Porter, Saks Off Fifth etc or want to score a deal at a second hand luxury site, either way you are sure to find some amazing + unique finds at a fraction of the retail cost, perfect for avid collectors or first time buyers if you are trying to save a little!
♥ SHOP SOME OF MY FAVORITES BELOW ♥
LAST CALL NEIMAN MARCUS
NEIMAN MARCUS
SAKS OFF FIFTH
FASHIONPHILE
BAG BORROW STEAL
NET-A-PORTER