How I Afford Designer Clothing

If you follow me on Instagram, you will know I have an insatiable love affair with designer labels. I love the quality that comes with designer purchases and the excitement in buying something that you may have been coveting for quite some time. Rather than picking out overly trendy pieces, I tend to opt for classic designs that will look just as stunning today as they will in five or ten years time. I constantly have a wish list of items that I wish would magically appear in my wardrobe but I’ve managed to build up a wardrobe full of designer labels that have been carefully picked out over the years and I thought I’d let you in on a few shopping tips that have come in very handy for me. Read on if your feeling spendy…

Firstly, I should point out that I’m fully aware that just as eating doughnuts won’t get me the body of my dreams, designer purchases are not the key to eternal happiness and you shouldn’t need a designer bag to look and feel fabulous. That being said, I love the feel good factor that comes with the smell of brand new leather and the satisfying sound the scissors make when cutting of the tags. So how do I afford designer purchases?

I’m so glad you asked.

Have a Clear Out

If you are going to buy a designer handbag or a fancy pair of shoes full price, getting rid of a few things that have been taking up your wardrobe space for years is a great way of raising funds at speed. I actually do this all the time. Take a look at your wardrobe and pull out pieces that you haven’t worn in over a year. List them on Ebay or Depop (my username is @remiesluxuryblog) and before you know it, you’ll have a big chunk of money to put towards that dream purchase. If you’re a bit of a horder like me, a car boot sale could take you one step closer to that Givenchy bag you need in your life.

Pre-Owned Designer Websites

If full price isn’t an option, those items you so desperately want are actually listed in various places for a bargain price, you just have to know where to look. Ever since I found the most incredible Dior shoes in my local second hand dress agency, I’ve been open to buying pre-loved items and now there are loads of online places where you can find some serious designer bargains. I always keep an eye on these websites to see if a handbag I need in my collection makes an appearance. Buy My Wardrobe, LouisaViaRoma, HEWI and Xupes are just a few of the websites I’ve been stalking to find the ultimate A/W bag. I even found the ever-so-popular Givenchy Antigone but it was still a little out of my price range. These websites are also great for buying those extra special people in your life great gifts for less whether it’s a second hand Rolex or the designer bag they’ve been longing for (just look at this Vintage Louis Vuitton collection).

Follow your Fave Bloggers on Snapchat

Since joining Snapchat I’ve seen some of my favourite bloggers sell their designer clothes, shoes and handbags for half the retail value. From Chanel flats to Celine bags, there are plenty of bloggers using Snapchat for flash sales. If you like designer goods for less, Lydia Elise Millen, Anouska, Retro Flame and of course my Snapchat (username Remie Lund) are great accounts to follow.

Stop Impulse Spending

Imagine my horror when I realised that the amount I’d spent on food shopping and going out for dinner was the same over a three month period as my most sought after hand bag. The reality is, you wouldn’t dream of spending thousands of pounds on a handbag but those little costs that are almost guilt free can add up. I’m an emotional shopper but I’ve learned not to give in to every shopping impulse that comes my way. I recently started writing down everything I spent on a weekly basis so I can see where my money was going and how I could put a little away to spend it on an investment piece.

Find a Facebook Group

I have been a member of a Facebook group that is exclusive to beauty bloggers where bloggers sell and swap their high-end makeup. It’s called #bbloggers Beauty Swaps and Sales. This is a great way to get your hands on designer makeup brands for less. From Charlotte Tillbury lipsticks that have only been swatched to some of the best luxury highlighters and contouring palettes, this Facebook group is worth a visit.

What are your tips for affording those luxury items?

*This post was written in collaboration with Xupes but my love of designer labels is 100% my own.