Complete Guide To A Capsule Wardrobe – Outfit Ideas And Advice
How To Start A Capsule Wardrobe A capsule wardrobe is a minimalist approach to fashion that can significantly impact your life. By intentionally simplifying your
So you want to know how to buy cheap designer brands? Well you have come to the right place. I have been a stylist for 21 years and throughout that time I have often been asked to make people look fabulous on a budget. There are several different ways of finding good quality clothing for a great price.
One word of warning though; if you are trying to create a capsule wardrobe, do not buy a bargain just because it is a designer bargain. A bargain is not a bargain if you do not need it and will never wear it!
So back to it. If you have a really good idea about what you are looking for, and you intend to be intentional about what you buy, then trying any number of these options below could save you hundreds.
Sample sales are a great way of cheap designer brands for a great price. There are a few websites that will alert you to the best sales;
Either online or in store Tk Maxx offer a range of excellent prices for designer goods.
Factory outlets have grown over the last decade and you can now find them all over. Some you will find in shopping villages like Bicester Village, Hackney Walk, and Mc Arthur Glen group have outlets in Swindon, York, Cheshire and the West Midlands.
If you are looking for specific cheap designer brands Pringle of Scotland, Barbour, Mulberry and Aquascutum all have their own outlets.
One of the best places I have found quality and designer clothing in the past is at local pre-loved fairs. Depending on where you live these tend to crop up everywhere. Not only do you get a bargain, but you also get something that you are very unlikely to find anyone else wearing. Look in local press for fairs near you. Alternatively check out A Curated Lifefor hand-picked vintage designer pieces.
Using eBay can take some practice. I have found a Dolce and Gabbana tailored coat for £60, trousers for £19 and Gucci tailored trousers for £40.
The key to using eBay is timing. One of the best ways of finding bargains anywhere is the time you buy. Most people are shopping in evenings and weekends so if you can find a listing that ends mid afternoon on a Wednesday then you are likely to get it for a better price. The way to do this if a garment ends while you are at work is to use a swipe site like Gixen. You sign in with your eBay details and list the item listing number and put in the maximum you will pay for it. The site then bids on the item for you up to your highest bid in the last few seconds of the listing.
Another tip is buy out of season. If you need a winter coat, buy it in the spring / early summer. If you need a new pair of summer sandals buy them in late autumn. I have found this the best way to get deals above any other method.
This app works similarly to eBay but the items are listed by price. It is like eBay’s trendier younger sister. I have had great experiences with Debop and you can grab some great bargains too.
Why not run a clothing swap party? Gather a group of friends together and some vino and nibbles and make a night of it. Alternatively, hire a local hall and invite the local community.
If you are building a capsule wardrobe and have a special occasion coming up, you might not want to buy something else for one event. A cheap and cheerful way of looking fantastic, saving money and reducing landfill all at the same time is to use a hire site. Hire The Catwalk, Rent The Runway and Designer Dress Hire Australia all offer hire services for top brands.
Now this can be a bit hit and miss. However, the best way to find a designer bargain in a thrift or charity shop is to visit one in an affluent area. It makes sense that the designer donations will go to shops in areas where people can afford to donate them. Have a think about your local area and where might be best to look. Alternatively, take a look at Oxfam online for designer bargains.
I am one of those people that gets fed up with loads of emails every day. However, if you are searching for something specific it is worth joining the outlets mailing list. Not only do you often get offered a discount for signing up, but you also get to hear first about sales and special offers.
The type of collection you buy from a singular brand can hugely reflect the price.
Capsule Collections tend to be a short but limited range in collaboration with a name or company. They are often mass produced so cheaper to buy but of a similar quality.
Bridge Collections are designed by the designer brand and sold by a hughstreet brand. the designs are usually typical of the the couture designer but not necessarily of the same quality.
Lower Cost Spin Off Collections are made by the original brand but often using less strict quality control and cheaper materials. It does however mean you can buy an item from your favourite designer for a cheaper price.
Another way to watch out for bargains in quality clothing is to look at flash sales. There are a few websites dedicated to selling designer items at great prices for short periods. Haute Look, BrandAlley and Net A Porter.
Essentially the best time to find quality, designer bargains is when nobody else wants them. Look for clothing in the opposite season to when you will wear it. If the item you are searching for could likely be a gift search in early autumn or spring. In other words not Christmas or wedding season.
If you are bidding on an item try to find options that end on a Wednesday or Tuesday during the day. Both days report the lowest sales so you are likely to get a bargain.
To lean about capsule wardrobes check out my services for long-term help with a capsule wardrobe or one-on-one personal styling online
The information given in the post is the best of my knowledge at the time of writing. If you are embarking on anything new get professional advice if required.
If you enjoyed this post and wish to create a capsule wardrobe, I can help you create one quickly and easily. Get started immediately with one of my personal styling services or book in for a complimentary consultation
The Capsule Closet Stylist Colour Analysis looks at the natural colouring in your hair, eyes and skin tone and shows how you can complement your natural colouring in your clothes. The Body Shape Style Guide teaches you how to make the most of your best assets, hide what you do not like, find clothes that complement your shape, and choose the perfect fit.
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