Buying high-end and designer clothing FOR CHEAP is something that’s many believe to be impossible – people think I’m joking when I tell them for how much I got mine!
In this quite detailed (but not too long) article you’ll learn where you can find and buy high-end and designer clothes WITHOUT ruining your finances in the process!
This article was originally published on August 14th, 2022. This new, updated version contains more information, is better organized and has a better SEO.
Read: SHOULD YOU Buy Clothes From HIGH END Brands?
#1 – High-End DOESN’T NEED to be Expensive
Despite the Internet and sharing economy being mainstream for decades now, many people still aren’t aware of many possibilities they offer – looking like a billionaire without spending like one being just one of them.
In the picture below you can see me wearing a Ralph Lauren Black Label blazer, whose manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) was originally $1500. Do you know for how much I paid for it (it was brand new with tags)? $150 in total – shipping and customs included. I’ll repeat once again…you DON’T HAVE TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY in order to buy a piece of high-end or designer clothing – all you really need to know is WHERE TO LOOK.
Read: The ULTIMATE Guide to Ralph Lauren Lines in the Milky Way
#2 – Where to Find High-end and Designer Clothing for Cheap
Thrift Stores and Consignment Shops
Despite their popularity, many people still see thrift stores (or second-hand shops) as places that sell damaged and smelly clothes. I, on the other hand, see them as places where one can find high-end and designer clothing for LITERALLY pennies on the dollar. Some of my latest acquisitions are:
(1) … a practically unworn Armani Collezioni tuxedo, whose MSRP was $1500. I got it for $20. Should come in handy if I ever (God forbid) decide to marry.
(2) … several Canali blazers, whose MSRP is around $1000 each. I got each one for $10. In the picture above you can see me wearing one of them.
(3) … a Brioni alpaca/wool mix coat, whose MSRP is presumably $5000. I got it for $20. It’ll be ideal for the upcoming winter.
If you don’t have time or patience to check out thrift stores regularly (not to mention browsing through their inventory), then I suggest that you check out consignment shops that’re specialized in high-end and designer clothing – many of them, such as Thred Up and The Real Deal (requires registration), being Internet based.
Read: 5 Reasons to Shop at Thrift Stores
Online Marketplaces
If you’re patient and love to strategize, then you’ll love browsing through online marketplaces, such as eBay and Vestaire Collective. Most high-end and designer clothes that you’ll see on those sites, both used and brand new, cost anywhere between 50% and 90% less than their original Market Suggested Retail Price (MSRP).
On eBay, there is a LOT of really good stuff, often at really good prices. What’s even better, lots of prices aren’t fixed sellers – whenever you see an item that has a Make Offer button, that means that its seller is willing to consider offers for that item.
In case the Make Offer button isn’t available, you should STILL MAKE AN OFFER! Don’t feel uncomfortable for doing so – the worst thing that the seller can do to is to say NO!
Before submitting an offer on eBay, make sure that it is not less than 70% of the seller’s asking price – many sellers will be insulted and won’t take you seriously if you offer less than that!
The main thing that made eBay to really stand out from other online marketplaces (before Amazon came in) and the main reason why eBay is my favorite online marketplace by far are auctions. Thanks to them, I’ve managed to get lots of high-end and designer clothes for pennies on the dollar – many of them being, like the pair of white Canali pants that I’m wearing in the picture below (which I paid $31 in total), brand new with tags and most importantly, genuine!
Besides eBay, there’re many other online marketplaces that became quite popular over the last several years, the most prestigious and popular of them being Vestaire Collective.
Vestaire Collective has, compared to eBay, a smaller (and somewhat pricier) selection of items. The main reason for that is because EVERY item sold on that platform goes through a review first – they want only the best of the best to be sold on their platform!
Despite the lack of auction listings and prices of high-end and designer clothes being more expensive than on eBay, you’ll STILL be able find some nice deals on Vestaire Collective IF you’re willing to haggle (start at 80% of the seller’s asking price on Vestaire or else you’ll be ignored). In the picture below, you can see me a suede Gucci trench coat (whose MSRP was originally $6000) that I got for $1500 – after some haggling, of course!
Read: How to Buy HIGH-END CLOTHES on eBay FOR VERY CHEAP
Outlet Stores
Slow-moving and defective inventory is an ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE for every manufacturer and retailer – not only does that hurt their sale numbers but it also takes up warehouse space that could be utilized to stock faster-selling items. In order to get rid of that inventory and to try to recoup costs that went into making or buying it, they’ll usually sell it through specialized stores – outlet stores.
Many outlet stores are brick and mortar stores that’re usually located in popular bustling city locations. In the last decade however, online outlets (like SaksOff5th and The Outnet) are growing out in popularity, because many would rather shop from the comfort of their homes than make a five-hour drive to hit up a bunch of outlet malls.
Read: The BEST Guide to Zegna Lines IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM (and Beyond)
Internet Forums
And finally, the last good source of cheap high-end and designer clothing are specialized forums. If you’re a male, StyleForum’s Buying and Selling thread has quite a nice selection of really great stuff, both used and new, at really good prices. Unfortunately, all female-centric forums that I’ve seen (Thefashionspot, Purseblog) don’t have dedicated any Buying and Selling threads at all. Ladies…don’t be discouraged by this – there are plenty of alternative sources.
If you intend to buy something from any forum, you need to be aware of 3 things.
First, keep in mind that, unlike on eBay or Vestaire Collective, there’s no way of filtering your search by brand or by size – the main purpose of forums is communication. Because of this, you’ll have to browse through lots of stuff that’s already sold or you don’t want in order to find something that you do want. Sounds familiar?
Second, don’t be afraid to make a decent offer (make sure that it is not less than 70% of the seller’s asking price) OR to ask for a discount if you buy multiple items from the same seller. From what I can see, the vast majority of sellers on Styleforum are willing to consider them. Should you have any questions about the items you’re interested in, don’t hesitate to ask.
Third, don’t share your Credit/Debit card info with the seller – ONLY use secure payment methods such as Payoneer and PayPal. DON’T USE WESTERN UNION or MONEYGRAM under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!
Read: The WORLD’S ULTIMATE Guide to Prada Lines
#3 – Final Thoughts
Instagram and real life share one thing in common – strategy. If you want to be successful, you have to play smart.
By playing smart, you’ll accomplish things that you previously thought impossible. Buying high end and designer clothing that’ll likely outlive you for cheap is just one of them!
Thank you for reading. If you’ve liked this article and want to see more like them, bookmark this site and follow me on Instagram!
Until next time.
Your man,
-Leon
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