designer wardrobeThe terms ‘budget-friendly’ and ‘designer’ aren’t often seen in the same sentence, so you may be wondering how you can secure designer labels without having to splash out your entire month’s pay. Whether you’re a particular fan of the likes of Gucci and Armani, or you prefer unique newcomers like Rixo clothing, we’re taking a look at precisely how you can pick up some of the industry’s most fashionable favourites without breaking the bank.

Renting Outfits

One of the easiest ways to get your hands on designer fashion for an event without having to spend a fortune for one-time wear is to rent it. Yes, really. Just like booking a hotel or hiring out a car, the sheer power of the World Wide Web has opened us up to renting for our fashion fix. Now, don’t get us wrong – hiring clothes is nothing new. We all know that suits and fancy ballgowns can be picked up off the rack and borrowed for a set period of time for a price, but did you know you can do the same with designer fashion pieces just for every day? From a pair of the latest Nike trainers to that jacket you’ve had your eye on, peer-to-peer borrowing has opened up more of us to designer fashion than ever before.

Shop Online

When you head online, you could find yourself treated to any number of deals and fashion steals. Sites like Gasmy, The Outnet, Fashionesta and YOOX offer designer fashion for a fraction of the original price, usually because they’re last seasons outfits, or, in the case of accessories, are simply more ‘retro’, but timeless designs. Shopping around will give you access to some of the best prices that you won’t usually find in store, even when buying directly from the store. Online designer outlets are also notorious for a steal or two, so get browsing.

Charity Shops

While charity shops can be hit or miss, when you do get a hit, it’ll be a good one. Finding older designer pieces can often set you back more than the newest designs for some brands, but in cases where the clothing has been donated to a charity store, you could find yourself picking it up for practically nothing compared to the original cost.

Online Auctions

There are countless online auction sites, with the most popular of course being eBay, and each one can offer you access to the best fashion at a price that you can set – providing no one tries to outbid you. The key here is to set yourself a budget that you don’t go over, to make sure you aren’t overspending for the sake of picking up a ‘bargain’. The more you bid, the closer to the original price you’ll come, which will ultimately eradicate the point in using an auction in the first place.

Watch Out For Sales

Whether you wait out for the all-important end of season sales, or you keep a keen eye for a flash sale, this can be a great way to pick up the pieces you’ve had your eye on without having to spend a fortune for the privilege. Signing up to sites like Brand Alley, Cocosa or Secret Sales will give you regular notifications when flash sales pop up to make sure you get access to the steals you want while the sale is still very much active.

Getting designer fashion doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. Whether you wait it out for the sales or start digging deeper into the World Wide Web for that style steal, getting designer labels for less is very much possible.

[Photo by Amanda Vick]