How to Shop for Designer Clothing on a Budget

By eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor

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Designer prices often leave us stunned and gasping for air. The antidote for sticker shock lies somewhere between outlets, e-commerce and consignment shops.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Men's Dress Shirts
Men's Dress Sweater
Mens' Dress Pants
Women's Dress Coats
Women's Dress Pants
Women's Dress Shirts
dresses and skirts

Step1

Figure out the clearance sale schedule of your favorite designer's store, or the high-end boutiques and specialty stores in your area. Many stick to January for spring/summer items and July for fall/winter items, while others may have an annual clearance weekend where surplus goods are priced to sell.

Step2

Remember that high-end designer outlets are often tucked far away from urban areas where department stores sell the same merchandise. Visit the outlets nearest to you (or in the vicinity of your next vacation spot) for the biggest selection of designer duds.

Step3

Make sales associates your ally - they know what's available, when it will be marked down, and how to keep reduced items from landing in someone else's closet. Get on the mailing list of your favorite stores to receive postcards and announcements for sales and clearance days.

Step4

Log on and check out the items being sold in classified ads, auction houses and online outlets. You'll discover everything from handbags and shoes to evening gowns and hair accessories.

Step5

Visit a consignment shop in an affluent area. Many customers wear items once or twice before sending them to consignment in favor of the latest trends.

Tips & Warnings

Make a habit to shop out of season. You may not want to think about cashmere sweaters or riding boots in the middle of July, but that's when you're likely to realize the greatest savings.
Consider alterations on pieces that don't quite fit. Even with a nominal fee for tailoring, you may still save a significant amount.
Examine secondhand merchandise very carefully for damages like stains, tears and separating seams.
Many outlet stores end up with irregulars. Try everything on to ensure proper fit and examine carefully for damages.
Always shop with secure online sites.

Comments

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 1) If you have a thing for designer clothes from past decades, look for estate sales in your local classified section. Just this week I found an ad for Louis Vuitton items (with the tags still on them) marked so low it's crazy!
2) If you plan on traveling to a major city like New York or L.A., try to find out if any 'Sample Sales' are going on. You can get great designer stuff at a big discount! To learn more about them just do a Google search -"sample sales," with whatever city you are traveling to (or live in if you are so lucky!)

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 If you really want the latest styles, buy basic clothes that aren't brand names, like black dress pants, cardigans, shoes, etc., and buy the key, attention-getting clothes in occasional splurges at brand-name stores.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Sometimes there may be an item with minor damage (missing button, loose seam, etc.) Never hurts to ask for a discount on a "damaged" item. Why pay full price for imperfection? I've gotten discounts on items, esp. if it was the last one of a size or color.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Nordstrom's Rack, Marshalls and Ross are great for getting designer clothes at discount prices. The trick is to pass through them often and look for your favorite brands. You don't always have to buy something, but grab designer staples when you see them.