How Does Everyone Afford All These Designer Items?

[Street_a_Licious]

lol, i think that really depends on WHAT you're looking for

 

[Guessgirl96]

any tips for spotting fakes?

the biggest thing I think it to look at the other stuff the person is selling. Is it a million of the same chloe dress for way under retail? Are they all the most desirable pieces from popular designers or are there some lesser known designers and more 'random' or pre owned pieces? There are more specifics but that will weed out a good chunk of the fakes on ebay.

 

[haksare]

A lot of vintage stores sell nice designer pieces at reasonable prices. It depends where you are located. Also, going to retail stores in malls could be a way to find cheaper designer clothes as opposed to going to boutiques which tend to be a bit more expensive.
Can't help you in finding fakes, sorry
You could of course try Forever 21

 

[kbella]

I'm in the U.K, so no Forever 21 for me as yet... though I'm hoping to go to N.Y this year. I would love to know where some of the bloggers get their nice designer heels from, are they mainly ebay as well?

 

[Liberty Belle]

Also student loans here in England are interest free...so that helps...just to back up dumbfairy ...I have no designer pieces...and I am a student.
I am to start saving once I have a job in 2 years time

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I'm pleased not to be a British taxpayer at this particular moment

 

[Legyviel]

Also student loans here in England are interest free...so that helps...just to back up dumbfairy ...I have no designer pieces...and I am a student.
I am to start saving once I have a job in 2 years time

only maintenance loans are interest free, tuition fee loans are not. I personally wouldn't take both of these loans because I would be too terified not being able to repay them... but that's only me.

 

[dumbfairy]

^You only pay it back when you earn more than the £15k threshold I think and even then the repayments aren't too extreme. In an ideal world of course I wouldn't have loans,as I'm sure Liberty Belle wouldn't either,but I moved out 2 years ago at 18 and refuse to ask my Parents for any financial help,I'm an adult and I should deal with my finances accordingly. And I only took the loans because if I didn't I wouldn't be able to attend University,and to me not being at University is a bigger price to pay than the loans.

Which is why I am at University in Scotland as opposed to England where I am from. I took the decision to move from the extreme South-West of England to the very North-East of Scotland as my tution fees in Scotland are nearly half what they would are in England. Forget the money I'm saving,I miss the warmer weather! If I was Scottish of course my tution would be free but I shant get into that

Ta-Ta (May I call you that? ) With regards to no worries,my life has been a bizarre mix of events,from being financially very comfortbale as a child to my family being homeless temporarily during my teens and back again so I always know things can be worse and that's why nothing worries me. I like to think of myself as the epitome of laid back,perhaps borderline lazy

But so far in 2009 I have spent under £20 on clothes/accessories None of which are designer. Not just because I want to save money but I guess because I wanted to prove to myself that I don't need to constantly buy things to make myself feel better,just because I can or whatever. I'm not liking it but I'm going to continue

 

[dumbfairy]

I'm in the U.K, so no Forever 21 for me as yet... though I'm hoping to go to N.Y this year. I would love to know where some of the bloggers get their nice designer heels from, are they mainly ebay as well?

They ship to the UK

 

[Anditgoeson]

i save up... and i think even then people have the smaller version of the brand.. do you know what i mean, for exampe i have D&G ... but i can't afford dolce and gabbana... that kinda thing... and i got loads of my stuff from london fashion weekend.

 

[Street_a_Licious]

those are called diffusion brands

 

[kbella]

They ship to the UK

Oh, well this changes everything...

 

[before]

I live on student grants...I don't have to pay anything back. I get around 2000 pocket money each quarter. I've already used up for winter...waiting for end of March so I can get my spring pocket money.

 

[SingFrAbsolution]

I consider myself a good shopper I have a few secret spots that are sure to have designer clothes for cheap.

 

[dvbist]

i work especially for it lol.

 

[snowcat]

I always try to save for something big as a treat to myself but usually end up using the money on holidays.. so I don't in fact have any designer items.. except for a couple of bags from my mom (hand-me-downs) :[

 

[dannydaily]

I bought my first Giorgio Armani piece at 14, after having saved up for three years. Now that I am working, it isn't that bad but considering the current price structure of certain designers, it might as well be. I was in Rick Owens the other day, drooling over a jacket I doubt I can afford anytime soon. But in the past 5 years, I've moved away from "luxury" designers and have been discovering a lot of great lesser known designers that make innovative and decent quality pieces. But, if you are looking for heavy hitter pieces, be prepare to pay. However, some advice:

1) Get active and make friends with fashion bloggers etc...Most of the time, they are in the know or will get an early heads up and can tell you about great sales and sample sales.
2) Look around your social circle. Someone's bound to work in high-end retail. But the rule of thumb is to be nice and discreet. Once you buy the item, don't try to return it or cause other fuses for them. And treat them to dinner.
3) Keep an eye out for resale/consignment shops. I own an amazing Dior coat with a dark berry color silk lining, bought for 10 USD.
4) Save and take advantage of sales like Family and Friends. Saks' F&F offers a 15%...Armani offers 35%...etc.
5) Trade. Once a year, I attend an event here in Paris where you sign up, pay a fee and bring in items for trade. It's a hit and miss sort of thing. I've gone home with Issey Miyake pieces and I've gone home with nothing.

 

[gb_32]

^ fab reply. thanx.

 

[Snow-White]

I consider myself a good shopper I have a few secret spots that are sure to have designer clothes for cheap.

Same here.. and I only shop in sales. As a result even if I am not buying designer pieces I still save

 

[Prudence Pureheart]

I have read quite a few threads about how some members of this board buy designer clothes, handbags, accessories etc but how the hell do you afford it? I can only dream of buying any designer stuff! Are you wealthy or just buy it and get broke?!

Counterfeit goods are pretty cheap.