Budget-friendly Designer Accessories, Including Handbags, Clothing, and Shoes
There has been a lot of discussion about the economy recently, and the projections don’t seem very promising. This indicates that it is time to start looking for methods to start tightening the budget and cutting down on the items that aren’t absolutely necessary for survival. When it comes to shopping, there is a bright side to the concept of doing without, even if at first, it can seem like a terrible thing to do. The fact that you have less money to spend on fashion does not mean that you have to stop trying entirely; the following is a list of advice that helps the budget fashionista in all of us look fantastic even when we are dressing on a tighter budget.
Clothing
I felt it would be a nice approach to kick off the list by beginning with the most apparent wardrobe item. This is particularly true considering that many of us have already begun thinking about what we will wear in the spring, and shopping for clothes on a budget is typically the simplest thing to do. Even though nobody likes to worry about the economy, one positive result is that retailers are more willing to hold sales and make higher decreases in price in order to entice consumers to spend their money. This is because retailers know that consumers are holding onto their money tighter than they did in the past. The following is a fantastic strategy that will allow you to make the most of falling costs while still ensuring that you walk away with the items that you desire:
It pays off to know when your favourite store is holding a “secret sale” (join a mailing list or befriend the sales staff to become a VIP), end-of-season sales (household names like the Banana Republic and Macy’s hold seasonal sales where items are 40% off), and watch for the buy-one-get-one-half off type of coupon sa
Shop online: Even the most seasoned shopper may find it challenging to keep up with the sale calendar at their preferred retailers, which is one of the reasons why internet shopping has been so popular in recent years. The days of shopping online without knowing whether anything will fit properly or if it would look well on you are over since most online stores have convenient return policies. However, in order to avoid the hassle of sending back many items of clothing, it is best to be aware of the styles of garments that complement your figure. The benefit of buying online is that you may often discover identical brands offered at lower rates. This is because an online merchant does not have the same overhead costs associated with maintaining a physical storefront. If you don’t believe me, I spotted Rachel Pally dresses on sale for fifty per cent off at DesignersLA.com. Alternatively, if you go to ShopBop and click on the sale area, you’ll be shocked at what you find there for seventy per cent off the original price. Additionally, if you sign up for the email list of your preferred online retailer, you will get discount notices and coupon coupons sent directly to your inbox, which will allow you to save even more money. What could possibly be simpler than that?
Put your money into the classics: Even while buying things on sale might result in significant cost savings, if you want to get the most bang for your buck out of this purchasing strategy, you should avoid buying things simply because they are on sale. You may have gotten a good deal on a pink suede skirt with a designer label if it was on sale for 80% off, but if the weather is warm and pink suede isn’t fashionable when the temperature drops, you may as well have thrown away money that you could have put toward something you’ll wear more than once. While it’s always exciting to keep up with the latest trends, it’s smart to make an investment in a few timeless pieces that can carry you through a whole season. I’m picturing a pair of white wide-leg trousers and a bright yellow outfit, but you may choose whichever spring essentials you like most.
If the idea of browsing around secondhand stores gives you the willies, then you haven’t gone to the correct vintage store to do your buying. You can be shocked by what you discover at a certain antique shop, but vintage clothing and accessories can be quite cool. Find shift dresses, capris, and 1950s-style blouses like those seen in all of the fashion publications by making sure to choose a thrift store that has goods for sale that are in excellent shape and are priced affordably (although some of the products are really rather pricey). In addition, there are some excellent vintage stores that can be found online, and they sell beautiful items that are still in amazing shape.
Purses and Other Fashion Accessories
Fashionistas are always on the search for deals on designer handbags, and this behaviour does not change regardless of whether or not economic conditions are difficult. The positive aspect is that a quality designer handbag has a much longer run than quality designer clothing does. This is due to the fact that if you make an investment in the appropriate designer purse or designer jewellery, you will be able to wear it for many months, whereas you will need to change your clothes frequently due to shifts in fashion and variations in the weather. And despite the fact that designer “it” bags are more expensive than they have ever been and the average designer label handbag costs £2,000, I’ve done my research and found ways to score a trendy designer bag, designer jewellery, or accessory from Prada, Gucci, Tod’s, Chloe, Anya Hindmarch, Marc Jacobs, Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Burberry, and even Chanel at up to 70% off retail price. These brands include Prada and Gucci. Don’t take my word for it; check it out for yourself:
Shop online: Much like shopping for apparel, purchasing online for designer accessories may truly be beneficial to your wallet. You don’t need to be concerned about how an item will fit since the majority of reliable websites will show the precise dimensions and offer images from all angles so that you can see exactly what you’re receiving. This eliminates the need to worry about buying clothing online. Because internet shops don’t have the same overhead costs as, for instance, large department stores (it’s difficult to get a luxury handbag in a tiny boutique), they are able to give far greater discounts for the very same purse. I just purchased an original Chanel handbag from eFashionHouse.com, where the variety was incredible, and I saved fifty per cent off the retail price. Because of my financial situation and also out of a sense of principle, I will never pay full price for a luxury handbag. I know that if I wait for the “it” bag craze to pass, I can go to my favourite website and acquire the bag for forty per cent less than its original price. In addition, you may save more than sixty per cent on the purchase of brand new designer jewellery from brands such as Chanel, Gucci, and others.
Hold out for the deals at the conclusion of the season: Although it is good to carry a bag as soon as the season begins, if you are able to hang off until the end of the season, you will be able to find what you are looking for. This is because the large department stores all markdown designer handbags near the end of the season. However, if you want to hold off and wait for these bargains, make sure you are the first to find out about them since inventory moves quickly and is often sold out on the first day a sale begins (if you miss the boat, visit the discount designer handbag web sites who sell authentic bags at discounts year-round).
It’s time to get rid of the old and bring in the new: If you are a fan of handbags to the same extent that I am, then you probably have a few designer handbags hanging around that you haven’t used in a while and so can afford to get rid of them. If this is the case, you should consider selling them. You’ll be able to use part of the money you get from selling these unused items on eBay or to a consignment store toward purchasing the luxury purse that’s been on your wish list. Give it a go; it won’t be as painful as you fear it will be.
Vintage: More than even garments, vintage designer handbags, jewellery, and accessories (wallets, scarves, etc.) may not only save you money but also outlive many of the trendier bags. Vintage designer handbags, jewellery, and accessories (wallets, scarves, etc.) can be found on eBay. Because Chanel handbags are classic, the price of an authentic Chanel handbag that is in amazing condition (little to no wear) can be as low as £400 on websites like LuxuryVintage. Considering that this is a reasonable amount to pay for a bag that you will be able to wear for many years to come, this is a good deal.
Don’t act like such a snob: Smaller brands such as Elaine Turner, Tano, and Pietro Alessandro have been able to build a name for themselves thanks to the current boom in the handbag industry. This is in addition to the luxury industry heavyweights like Marc Jacobs and Prada. It is now easier than ever to acquire an ultra-soft trendy handbag, such as the Elaine Turner Paige Python Frame Bag or the Alex Tote, for a price that is a fraction of what it would cost to purchase a pricey designer label. These handbags are frequently made from the same high-end materials as couture fashion houses.
We typically do not like any handbags that are in the price range of £15 to £40, but we have to admit that brands like Melie Bianco and Murval are fast changing our minds about this. If you want the look-of-the-moment handbag, Melie Bianco will probably have it, but we wouldn’t advocate squandering your money on a lot of cheap handbags that are badly built. However, if you want the look-of-the-moment handbag, Melie Bianco will probably have it. If you go to DesignersLA.com, you will be shocked at how Melie Bianco is able to produce handbags that are both trendy and exquisite at rates that are so much lower than you would expect.
Shoes We do not have a great deal of advice for you about shoes since we believe that the vast majority of clever shoppers (at least those who are women) already have this area covered; nonetheless, we will offer a few points just in case you need a refresher:
Make an investment in a quality pair since shoes are rapidly approaching the status of luxury handbags in terms of their exorbitant prices and the abundance of “must-have” designs now available. The head of the group is Christian Louboutin, followed closely by Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik; nevertheless, finding a pair of these gorgeous shoes at a discount may be very challenging but is not unheard of. Christian Louboutin is the leader of the pack. If you really must buy another pair of shoes—on top of the 30 that you already own—then you should strive to spend as much money as you can on the new pair. Even though we do a lot of walking, we’ve discovered that purchasing a quality pair of shoes with a leather top and leather sole is the best method to go a long way.
Online: There is a tonne of websites that are dedicated to selling solely footwear, and it may be challenging to navigate through all of them. However, the one advantage of having such a wide variety of options is that there is more competition, which results in prices that are more affordable. There aren’t a lot of online sites that sell expensive shoes, which is one reason why we haven’t found a lot of online sites that we like to shop at for shoes because we tend to shop for more high-end brands (this goes back to that investment thinking).
However, eBay is one place where I have had success at saving money, so I’ll mention it here (yes, eBay). There is no way to ensure that you are truly receiving a genuine designer handbag when you buy it from eBay since there is no way to guarantee that you are actually getting an authentic designer handbag, but shoes are less likely to be knocked off than handbags. Nonetheless, you should be prepared to look often since there is a limited variety; however, you may discover some incredible offers (brand new Lanvin flats for £300 or Prada heels for £50, for example). Therefore, if you want a pair of Manola Blahnik Mary Janes, you should practise your talents at winning a bidding war since actually walking in them is easier than winning them.
The best and easiest way to save money is to know when your favourite shoe store is having a sale. Just like with clothes and designer accessories, knowing when your favourite shoe store is having a sale is the best and easiest way to save money. However, the early bird gets the worm in shoe sales because shoes are something that all women have in common.
Even while a weak economy might put a significant strain on your finances, it is important to keep in mind that your appearance does not need to suffer as a result of the slowdown in the economy. If you train yourself to be a savvy and experienced shopper, you can go through difficult times without losing the clothes on your back.