Y’all already know my secrets for shopping at Last Call, but I want to share some other tips to shop designer pieces like a Pro. Everyone says that I luck out with my finds! And yes, maybe the shopping fairy godmothers are always looking over me but it also has to do with some savvy shopping skills!
BTW, those pink heels in above picture are Oscar de la Renta heels found on sale at The Outnet years ago! (Here is the original post.)
// Miu Miu star handbag found on sale at Last Call, original post here //
Everyone loves a good deal, and I think it’s even better when it’s on a “Holy Grail” item or designer piece! It’s your opportunity to own something special that you may not have had the chance to at regular retail price.
Here are FIVE ways to shop for designer items like a pro!
SIGN UP FOR EMAILS FROM YOUR FAVORITE RETAILERS //
I have a separate email account for all of my purchases, and it’s what I use to sign up for newsletter subscriptions. You’ll get notifications for upcoming sales and coupons. HOWEVER, only sign up for retailers that you truly love. (You can always unsubscribe.) My inbox is scary, like 25,793 unopened emails scary, so don’t go overboard like I did!
Because of a flash sale email, I got the black Gucci slides in this post for 50% off from Neiman Marcus! It was random but SO GOOD! I had been eyeing them forever and stalking them on The Real Real!
KNOW THE SALES CALENDAR //
For example, I used to be completely OBSESSED with everything Anthropologie and found out that new sale items were added every Thursday to their “Freshly Cut” section. Nordstrom has their Anniversary sale every July, and their Half-Yearly sale happens every Spring (like RIGHT NOW until June 4th) and Fall. Also, most designer retailers have major sales on Black Friday and during other holidays (like Memorial Day yesterday). Moda Operandi has a Friends and Family sale twice a year with up to 50% off. Oh man, that is a hard one to pass up! A lot of designer retailers have sales twice a year to thin out inventory before the next season.
Know which retailers carry your “Holy Grail” item, like those Gucci slides, so you can score the best deal (Neiman Marcus vs Nordstrom vs Saks vs Net-A-Porter) when the sales hit!
I scored the Isabel Marant dress in this post for $138 during a Net-A-Porter sale! During designer sales, I’m always on the hunt for my favorite brands, like Isabel Marant, Valentino, etc.
LET THE SALES COME TO YOU //
Because nobody has time to keep track of all the sales going on! Shop smarter and not harder!
Sign up for ShopStyle and get sales alerts for items that you are stalking wanting in your closet. You can get emails or phone alerts (using the app). For example, I can set an alert on a specific pink Gucci bag that I love when it goes on sale OR I can get sales alerts for any Gucci bags that go on sale! It’s really awesome and I use it a lot! However, you have to act fast because there seems to be a delay and the items may already be sold out.
Shop It To Me is another email service that I used which asks about your brand preferences and sends emails of those sale items. For example, I get emails about Tibi, Chloe, etc. pieces that go on sale. It separates it by retailers so you’ll see all Tibi and Chloe on sale at Nordstrom then Neiman Marcus, etc.
SHOP SISTER SITES //
A lot of designer retailers have “sister sites” that will sell past-season designer pieces at discounted prices. And when they have sales, then {choir singing} Alleluiah! Alleluiah!
Net-A-Porter –> The Outnet and Yoox
Neiman Marcus –> Last Call Neiman Marcus (this is the post where I show you a Fendi dress for $136!)
Saks Fifth Avenue –> Off Saks
And don’t forget B&M places like TJ Maxx (you’d be surprised at the “Runway” clothing and shoes they carry) and Marshalls. Yes, for real! Have I told you about the Coach over-the-knee boots that I found for $39.99 one year? I paid for them and ran to my car because I was sure it was a misprint!
SHOP CONSIGNMENT //
If you’ve been following my blog for awhile, then you know this is where a lot of my designer pieces were found! Some people are grossed out by “used” things. However, I think it’s being a good steward with your hard earned dollar AND you are being environmentally friendly! So there!
Mini Chanel Flap for $500?! YES, I will take it and couldn’t get off the phone fast enough to drive to Feminine Fashions and buy it! That’s a true story and how I found this bag! Okay, so here’s the deal. I have my favorite local consignment shops (Clothes Circuit, Feminine Fashions, Luxury Garage Sale, and recently To Be Continued).
It’s impossible to visit them every day to find out what new inventory has come in, so…
1) Follow them on social media. Most will post pics on Facebook and/or Instagram of their new inventory.
2) Get to know a sales associate, and let know if you have something on your wishlist. They will usually take down your contact information so they can let you know if that special LV bag or “whatever on your wishlist” comes in!
3) Again, sign up for their email so you know about sales. Many times, Chanel and Hermes are excluded from sales but you never know!
I also have favorite ONLINE consignment shops like The Real Real, Luxury Garage Sale (since they have multiple locations, there is more online), Fashionphile, and recently Trendlee. These sites guarantee authenticity and have really great pictures so you can see exactly what you are purchasing.
So, I hope these tips help you score a wishlist piece on major sale. Guess what! This is major designer sale time so I’ve listed some sales going on below! Happy shopping!
CHEERS TO FINDING YOUR NEXT DESIGNER DEAL!
MODA OPERANDI // Up to 50% off Spring/Summer collections and save an extra 20% off using code EXTRA20 during the Memorial Day Weekend!
NEIMAN MARCUS // Up to 40% off Designer Items. No code needed.
NET-A-PORTER // Up to 50% off Designer Items. No code needed.
NORDSTROM // Half Yearly sale going now to save up to 40% off wear now and Fall pieces until June 4th.
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE // Up to 40% off Designer Items. No code needed.
SHOPBOP // Up to 40% off Designer (and regular) Items. No code needed.
Do you have any tips for scoring designer pieces on a dime? What’s your best designer find? I’d love to hear it!
Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend (if you celebrate)! We hung out with family visiting from Florida! Good food and good company always make for a great weekend. It’s back to the grind today at work!
// Missoni dress found at Clothes Circuit, original post here //
// Chanel flap purchased for $500 at a consignment shop, original post here //
Thank you for supporting our fashion loving team by clicking our links before shopping or checking out at your favorite online retailers like Amazon, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Shopbop, or any of the listed brands on our “Shop My Looks” page. We truly appreciate your support! ????
