Boujee, chic, and classy: everybody wants to have that elegant look with a designer accessory by their side. Shoes, clothes, bags— anything made by a label is extremely expensive. It’s not entirely common for people to put aside a couple hundred (or a couple thousand) dollars to splurge on a single item for its high status in fashion, but while some have the luxury of doing so regularly, there are other ways to dress designer without putting a major dent in the bank account.
High-end brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Chanel and even some local designers can be of extreme price, and while getting that luxury item may be high on the wishlist and shopping agenda, it doesn’t always have to make you go bankrupt. So here are some tricks and ways to look the part without paying the price.
Renting Pieces
If you happen to really want to look decked out in a particular item for an event, party, or occasion, and don’t want to commit to buying or searching, then renting may just be for you! Take a quick online search for companies near you that supply designer products and outfits for rent, and you’ll be showing up looking like a million dollars in no time. Price match and compare different companies to get the best deal and look your absolute best.
Search and Thrift
Now, while there's no guarantee you’ll come back from a shop with the exact item that you’ve been wanting, there's always a chance you’ll find it— perhaps even something better! Thrifting designer items can knock off a decent chunk of the money you'd be spending at the designer store, but you may not receive an authentic piece, as there is a chance the store may be selling knock-offs.
If you happen to know your designers and certain aspects of the item, then you just may be able to identify if it’s real. Most (if not all) designer items come with an authentication card, so if you happen to see one, you’ve hit the jackpot!
Online Auctions
Be frequent in checking online auction websites, as you may come across some extreme deals! You never know what might be listed, and more often than not you’ll be able to score something of high status. These might not be brand-new bags, shoes, or sunglasses, but there are good chances of achieving that boujee look with a few simple clicks. Online auctions are a great way to find designer items because, if in doubt of authenticity, there's the opportunity to compare the pictures to the legitimate product and ask the seller plenty of questions.
Purchase Upcycled and Refurbished
Although this may apply to only a limited array of accessories, one of my personal favorites on how to dress designer without spending the price is to purchase refurbished pieces. Small businesses tend to do this, so it shouldn’t take much more than a quick search online to find one near you. The way companies do this is by refurbishing vintage designer pieces, such as emblems, and turning them into beautiful necklaces.
I have splurged on two refurbished necklaces— one Chanel and one Louis Vuitton— and they have become nearly everyday attire! I constantly receive compliments from people thinking that I’ve spent tons when, in reality, I upcycled and supported a small local business!
Shop Off-Season and Old Collection
Here's where you have to poke around and get creative. Designer stores on their own won’t discount any products… but department stores sometimes do. Take a peek at some clearance racks throughout major high-end department stores, and you might just be lucky enough to snag some pieces.
This will likely be more expensive than any of the other ways on this list, but at least you're guaranteed to find a 100% authentic piece. If you're interested in slightly older collections, then you're in luck, because department stores like Macy's, David Jones, and Nordstrom will be pushing the newer collections for high prices and listing the older ones for lower.
Dressing designer can either take a lot of your time or a lot of your money! It’s definitely worth the hunt, and once you find pieces you're happy with, you’ll be over the moon. There's no better feeling than looking fabulous and feeling fancy with a stylish product that ties your whole outfit together.
Let me know if you have tried or will try a few of these tricks; they’ll be useful when you look at buying that new bag that's just a little too much for your paycheck. Happy hunting!
