Shopping… the word gives me clarity and peace. To just window shop is enough sometimes, to see mannequins with the latest styles, bags lined up on walls in hundreds of colors, perfumes filling the air… I could go on. [Please don’t, now I’m dizzy and wanna sneeze]
Bottom line, shopping is my jam. Personally, I’m a fan of in person shopping – the ability to feel fabric and see things on helps the vision. I’ve adapted to online shopping, but returning items that just look terrible is the hard part. Sometimes I forget and most times it’s just not easy to do.
Gucci, Chanel, YSL, Oh My!
I have a soft spot for good leather and brand names. I typically turn to all black and don’t need a bag heavily branded, I just like the quality and feel of nice bags and shoes. [Brand name bags that aren’t heavily branded… got it] Just because I like them doesn’t mean I’ll pay full price for them… deals and sourcing does exist with designers!
Gilt is fantastic. You can source various luxury items from home goods to jewelry. There are frequent ‘sales’ and if you have time you can dive into the deep search of a good deal on lux tags.
For those good with the secondary market, The Real Real is for real. [ha good one – Real Real marketing team, where you at?!] You will find almost anything under the designer sun on their site or in their stores here in the city. Customer service is A+ and I’ve used them to sell items I no longer wear or use. They are my real estate agent, knowing there is a home for my lightly used Gucci out there. [ok, now it’s getting creepy]
Insta-Sourcing
Personal shopping is still a thing, and happens on Instagram, my friends. Gabriel Waller is the place to go (and follow). If you’re looking for the Chanel Boy bag in navy with gold hardware [it’s like you’re speaking a foreign language…] that is sold out in all stores across the US – she’s there to find it for you (can you tell this is a specific bag I’m looking for? …I hope my husband is reading).
Now imagine you’ve put the perfect outfit together – dress, shoes, bag, but now what about accessories? Designer jewelry is another game, and an expensive one. There are many ways to try before you buy, or to just rent. Disclaimer, I haven’t used them but Bag Borrow or Steal is one of those places, originally known for just their designer bags to rent, now they do designer jewelry and watches to pair with your perfect date night outfit.
Mirror Image
There is no need to start sweating [too late], also no need to drain your savings. So many retail shops build lines around mirror images. You don’t need a full Versace silk set but you like the look of PJ’s out for dinner… I feel you. [Now pJs are a trend I can get behind] Places like Zara fulfill this desire at a fraction of the cost, and for more than just clothes.
Use your window shopping/online browsing at midnight to find styles and looks you like. Google is genius, just type in the style or look under the shopping section of the designer item and voila you’ve found something very similar that won’t break the bank. The goal here is to look and feel fabulous, and that doesn’t mean spending a fabulous paycheck on one item.
Where do you fill your designer fix? Share sources or sites with us so we can check them out too!
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