They say fashion is a luxury, not a priority. I say it’s a necessity because it speaks volumes about who you are, how you feel, and where you’ve been. The problem is that high-end fashion can often be expensive.
Instead of whipping out my credit card and spending too much on my favorite pieces, I try to find ways to save a little money. That way, I can get more while paying a lot less — it’s the best of both worlds!
My 6 Tips for Saving Money on Fashion
1. Use a Personal Shopper
Did you know that personal shoppers typically get a discount from retailers? Because they help lure in new customers, stores often give them 10-20% off the suggested retail price for products.
You can find your own personal shopper on the Association of Image Consultants International website. Simply search based on your location and be sure to talk about potential savings upfront. Sure, you’ll have to pay for their help, but they can sometimes find bulk deals or get discounts straight from the manufacturer so it’s worth the investment.
TIP: Select a personal shopper who’s familiar with your favorite brands and designers.
2. Borrow Styles Instead of Buying Them
Fashion trends change quickly, so don’t get stuck with costly pieces that aren’t even in style anymore. Instead, check out a few clothing rental services to get updated outfits on a rotating basis.
Services like Rent the Runway, Nuuly, Armoire, and Le Tote send you carefully curated pieces and customizable packages each month. You can choose your favorite brands and styles and get special savings without the extra expense of a personal shopper.
TIP: Mix and match different subscription boxes to add some unique flavor to your wardrobe.
3. Buy Through a Cash-Back App
One of the best ways to save money is to buy clothing and accessories through a cash-back app. Run your shopping list through tools like Dosh and Rakuten to make as much as 5% cash back on what you were already going to purchase at full price. The best part? You can redeem that cash back for future purchases.
TIP: Use bonus features like referral codes to save more money and benefit your friends.
4. Consider Bridge Lines
Higher-end brands often team up with budget-friendly retailers to develop more affordable fashion lines. For example, Versace released a new collection through H&M called the Vestiaire Collective. Meanwhile, there’s now a Missoni for Target line and its release was so popular that it actually broke their website!
With bridge lines like those, you can enjoy the same high-brow designs and quality manufacturing at a fraction of the price. In fact, some of my favorite designers have jumped on the bridge line bandwagon, including top names like Michael Kors, Vera Wang, and Jason Wu.
TIP: Follow the retailers that carry your favorite bridge lines to schedule sales and shopping trips.
5. Update Your Accessories
I also like to update my look for less by getting some new accessories to coordinate with my favorite outfits. By spending my money on trendy shoes, jackets, bags, and jewelry, I can spruce up timeless looks without burning a hole in my credit card.
I already have a bunch of excellent wardrobe basics, so throwing on a bright scarf or a chunky bracelet is an easy way for me to perk up my look for less money (and effort). It’s quick, cost-effective, and fun to pick out new accessories.
TIP: Try letting your accessories do most of the talking!
6. Invest in a Tailor
If I can’t find the items I want in my size, especially when they’re on sale, I buy them anyway and then take them to a tailor. My clothes end up fitting perfectly and I usually save some money in the process. After all, the price of tailoring is usually much less than luxury items that aren’t on sale.
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What are your favorite ways to save money on luxury fashion brands? Let me know in the comments!
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