How many of us want designer threads, but absolutely don’t have the funds to pay for it? Well, I’m sure everyone’s hand went up. The reality is, many of us want a key piece here and there, but we don’t know how to make it happen and how to be cost-effective. Well, if you’ve ever wanted to learn a thing or two about dressing designer while on a budget, I’ve got you covered. As a New York fashion editor, I’ve seen and felt it all. So here are a few of my tips.
How did you start buying designer pieces?
I’ve always been enamored by runway and designer pieces. It’s absolutely a statement-maker, but also a sign of wealth or prestige in our communities. Living in New York, you see people wear designer every day and it’s nothing. Nobody’s looking and saying, “Oh, she’s an intern, why is she wearing Balenciaga?” or that you’re somehow pretentious just because you like certain name brands. Since I work in fashion, I’m constantly around clothes and I tend to buy something because I like it, not because of who it’s by. When I wanted to start elevating my closet, that’s when I slowly started introducing key pieces into my wardrobe.
I absolutely do NOT make as much money as people could think I make, but when it comes to a few splurge-worthy items, I’m willing to make a budget. The first thing you should do, and I know because I did NOT do this, is make a budget. Allocate only a certain amount to shopping and clothing, and stick to your budget! Then choose the styles you’re looking for.
Where do you shop for designer pieces?
There are so many places or ways to access designer pieces. First, you can definitely shop online. I love places like The RealReal, the Outnet, and Farfetch, which sell designer at a fraction of the original price. Usually, I go online to the site once a week, just to see what’s gone up and what’s around.
I’ve found some amazing things on The Real Real, like this Cult Gaia purse that I am absolutely obsessed with. I also can dive into all things Dries Van Noten, one of my favorite designers and brands. Like these shoes? Can we take a moment!
Next, living in New York means that it’s nothing to get to a sample sale! It’s nice to constantly have your ear to the street so that friends and family can tell you when the next one is. At a sample sale, you can get designer items for close to nothing, and oftentimes, it’s things from the previous season. I was afraid to go to sample sales at first because I never knew if they would have plus-size clothing, but the more you go, the more you see there’s something there for everyone. Also, look and see if you can find a Beacon’s Closet or Plato’s Closet in your city. These are consignment shops that usually take higher-end name brands and then resell. I’ve gone in there before and paid $30 for an Alice & Olivia red kimono that still had its $500 price tag on.
A lot of people also have huge scores at sample sales, when brands clear out old inventory. You can simply search “Sample Sales NYC” to see what comes up.
How else do you afford designer?
To me, it’s about mixing designer with non-designer. I don’t want to step out in a head-to-toe name brand, it’s not that serious to me. I may pair my Balenciaga sneakers with a cozy sweater I bought for $5 at the thrift store and some Old Navy jeans. Mixing high and low not only blends your outfit so it’s something nobody else can recreate, but also because it’s fiscally responsible.
I also believe in supplemental income, whether that’s freelancing, having maybe a little part-time job on the weekends, or reselling my clothes on Poshmark. Even if you’re going to actually make an investment into something like a handbag or a dress, make sure that you’re budgeting for it. We don’t see a problem with spending $25 for a top at a fast-fashion store like H&M or Zara, but we gasp at a $200 blouse. Honestly, that’s why I’ve been leery about going to places like Rent The Runway, even though I do see beautiful garments all the time.
Eventually, those smaller purchases add up, so if you take into account that you’re not going out and spending a lot of money every single time you shop, you’ll be okay. Some people I know only wear more expensive things because the quality is higher and it also means you’re not as inclined to go out and buy 80 million things at the store that you know you won’t even wear. Budgeting is extremely important, especially if you want to make one or two big purchases a quarter.
How do you save up for big purchases? Are there other ways you like to go for designer wares?
