How Does Everyone Afford All These Designer Items?

[runa]

I simply buy very specific things that are more expensive and that I know that I really love. Probably like on 3/4 designer pieces of clothing/accessories per year.

 

[Santana]

I rather buy one good designer handbag than buying a couple of replicas.
It also makes a perfect Birthday or Christmas gift for a sister/ mother. Instead of everyone
buying her a gift, get the family to put their money together and get her that perfect
Birthday/ Christmas gift ! I think every girl must have at least one designer handbag.

 

[sloosen]

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?!

i save my money up and always look out for the good deals! Most of my shopping is done online. I sometimes splurge, then am broke till payday, but i try to save my money up and just spend it on key items that i know will be worth it

 

[amour_amour363]

As a student supported by my parents and who can only work a substantial amount during summer holidays, I can only afford to buy designer items if they're on sale (sometimes not even then). That and I shop online as there isn't really anything I think would be worth buying in my city, so I'm always conscious about sizing and would rather only buy if I'm certain. I'm not really into returning things.

I dream!

 

[Emma Naomi]

This thread is kinda funny, people saying 'Ohh I can afford designer clothes because I buy them on sale when they're only £300...'
I only get designer clothes if they're from a jumble sale, I can't afford to pay usually more than £30 for any item of clothing! Even if I save up.

 

[Snow-White]

I own a couple designer bags because my family is the producer for major European fashion houses. Even then, I cannot afford to buy designer items in-store!

My sunglasses and designer clothes have all been gifts. I've bought a couple of Angel Jackson handbags that were second-hand. I can only afford small luxury items like make up from Chanel or Dior etc.

I've spent the past 4 years travelling between countries and completing my education... I now hope that I get the kind of job that would pay for extravagances

 

[fashionista-ta]

What I do is buy only a few things (as discussed rather extensively in the 4-5 piece French wardrobe thread) ... some of those are designer, some contemporary, some under $100, etc. I do have a good job and make fashion a priority, but it's definitely not the only priority I have. I don't consider myself wealthy (and neither does anyone else in the first world), and I'm not going into debt to buy designer things.

 

[AtticusFinch]

My family has been extremely fortunate financially and consequently my income has always been far greater that it 'should' be. I have been receiving share dividends since I was literally like 5 and due to where I live I could walk to all my retail jobs and employers loved me because if someone was sick they could call me and I could be there in 15 mins.
Thus, I rarely pay for transport, no gym membership (family one), I receive lots of free cosmetics, I don't drink coffee or alcohol, I NEVER eat out and I still fit the clothes I wore as a teenager so my expenses are lower than my contemporaries along with a greater income.

In my experience things work together - you shop somewhere and build a relationship with the staff so they contact you prior to sales, give you discounts, refund when they shouldn't. You need to spend money to save money if that makes sense.

 

[glamrockgal]

sales going on now everywhere websites like netaporter etc, also outlets are great sources for me.I already collected some great designer pieces from sales and outlets I frequented lately

 

[nita-karoliina]

Less is more. Quality over quantity.Meaning invest your money for some nice designer piece than 10 pairs of hm shoes.
Also you can find great deals via internet. I am not a rich person but i'll get by.

 

[Not Plain Jane]

I follow fashionista-ta's model for the most part, though I splurge occasionally.

Also nita-karoliina and glamrockgal are right - there are often great sales and offers, both online and in stores. Just wait for those, unless you absolutely have to have something, in which case, take the plunge (because it might be gone if you wait until sale time).

 

[Psylocke]

...
Fashion is important to me, that's why I also make sacrifices in order to purchase lovely clothes that aren't exactly in my budget range.[...] It's ridiculous I know, but that's how I decided to live until I have a full time job and make more money.

^Me, 4 years ago It's funny how times have changed. It was fun living like that for a while. I have acquired many beautiful pieces during those years that I still wear and enjoy. But my priorities have definitely shifted, and I hardly ever buy any clothes anymore, let alone designer clothes. I could afford them, if I decided they were important enough to me. But they're not. Not sure if it's just because fashion is mostly boring these days or because I have something like a ~life~ now and am not this selfish, overly-independant student anymore ink: But I definitely wouldn't go this far anymore. I'd rather have a proper meal every day, travel, do fun things with the people I love, make sure my cats can have a fancy happy life, etc.

When I do see a designer item that I fall head over heels in love with, I definitely always try to wait until it's on sale (And really, there will always be a store, online or offline, that will have that exact item in my size on sale)!

 

[EvaH]

I had my 4-5 piece when I mostly only bought expensive designer clothes or should I say my parents bought those pieces. I guess if your parents can't support those kind of purchases then the 4-5 piece is your thread. A lot of the regulars are students and they make it happen on their own

I definitely grew out of the "clothes" phase though.

 

[Prenouveau]

I'm not in undergrad anymore but I definitely haven't grown out of loving designer clothing I buy everything used, and on top of that, discounted used clothing. I live in NYC so there are a lot of consignment shops that have end of season sales and you can get great deals. I have watches on my favorite designers on Ebay, and will sometimes wait out an item and let it get re-listed for less, or even contact the seller and try to negotiate a lower price. My wardrobe is all The Row, Rick Owens, Ann D, Acne and Isabel Marant, but I never pay more than $200 for any one item, and usually a lot less. If you're savvy and know what you like--and want to dedicate the time to it--you can have really nice clothing on a budget, and it'll feel like daylight robbery to pay full price for anything.

 

[nita-karoliina]

When i was a student i couldn't afford designer clothing!
But i still have a life even though i buy that stuff (remember usually only sale items, depending). I do travel several times a year and make sure my dogs have a fancy life as well.
When i was in my early twenties i bought shitloads of cheap clothing every month and now that stuff is molding in my brothers attick.
Quality over quantity is my motto. Buy less. The other day i bought that iconic Alexander McQueen scarf. It was expensive but i know it will still be amazing after 20 years or so and my future offspring can enjoy all the stuff i have collected. I think it is more investing really.

 

[MichaelBrian]

I must admit that I have trouble purchasing designer clothes myself. You can get some good deals at the end of the season though, that's when I go clothes shopping ^.^

 

[KateTheGreatest]

I don't have any designer items, sadly. I wish I could afford them but I can't. I buy mostly at H&M & Zara which is price friendly. I will pay more money for something that I really need and will wear it for a long time, otherwise no. And sometimes I just go look at clothes in stores because then I get inspired for new styling options and combinations. Maybe it's weird but I like it and it's also very relaxing.

 

[eugenius]

I admit: I'll bring clothes into the dressing room at top retailers..then unstitch the label from the inside..then sew them back on onto other garments in my own closet. Voila--I just turned a $150 blazer from Banana Republic into a $500 blazer from Barney's main line...and nobody is any wiser.

 

[nataliaapple]

I invest in shoes and handbags. I worked in the buying office of a high end luxury retailer and the discount was very generous. For clothes I buy off season and shop designer collaborations that are worth shopping.

 

[Phuel]

I admit: I'll bring clothes into the dressing room at top retailers..then unstitch the label from the inside..then sew them back on onto other garments in my own closet. Voila--I just turned a $150 blazer from Banana Republic into a $500 blazer from Barney's main line...and nobody is any wiser.

Eugenius, that's such an odd-- and candid thing to admit LOL

When I was in HS, I had a buddy who I think did that: He didn't admit it to me, but I found it off that a Jil Sander jacket was made in... Canada. Haha... I thought it was kind of endearing at the time.

I suppose I'm of the mind that the exclusivity, luxury and construction of designer pieces matters most to me, and not the label. I don't care if nobody knows whom I'm wearing-- and actually prefer it that way. Thank goodness, otherwise I'd be a label-snipping addict!

There are only two pieces that I ever regret not buying: One was a Gieves and Hawkes charcoal-grey officer's coat with the perfect collar, and the other was a buttery-soft, honey-colored leather fencing jacket by Gaultier. I'd still be wearing those two pieces to this day had I bought them.