Fashion deals: how to bag a bargain, from sales to secondhand
Many brands now sell excess stock via their own digital outlets. For example, Rixo, famed for its patterned dresses, has an archive section on its site where you can buy previous season’s styles for up to 50% off.
The Outnet sells previous-season styles that haven’t sold on Net-a-Porter, and it’s where the Guardian’s fashion and lifestyle editor, Morwenna Ferrier, says you can find designer clothes for “an absolute steal”. She says: “Victoria Beckham’s dwindling profits mean a lot of her pieces end up there. I got a lovely blue silk shirt for a fifth of RRP [recommended retail price].”
The high street shoe brands Schuh and Office sell heavily discounted shoes that are end of line, ex-display or with a few scuffs, including children’s school shoes, at sites Schuh Imperfects and Offcuts by Office.
“I always buy a designer winter coat in the summer sales,” Monikh Dale, a stylist and the founder of Monikh.com, says.
“I note when it comes out, and if possible I will ‘favourite’ the item online or within the shopping site. Two seasons later when the sales start, I’ll hopefully have it waiting for me with at least 50% off. It’s a gamble if you really love it, as this doesn’t always happen, but when it does, it feels so good.”
You could use a price-tracker app, while Google Shopping lets you monitor price drops.
If you need something more urgently, at least leave it in your online basket overnight. You will often find you are emailed by the brand offering you a discount code to complete your purchase.
You need to have willpower not to be drawn into spending more by the regular marketing emails you will get but subscribers are usually alerted to a brand’s sales, often 24 hours in advance, which means you get first dibs on the best
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