BLOG: À La Mode
Celebrity style on a college budget
By Melanie Barnes, Entertainment Writer
August 16, 2008 | noon
Whether you're a secret admirer, princess of pop culture or an innocent bystander, admit it: you've envied your share of expensive celebrity wardrobes. It's time to stop drooling and to get shopping. With school starting right around the corner, it's time to focus on you.
Why overpriced yet immensely coveted designer fabrics and trinkets are so vastly appealing is beyond me, but I must admit there is something about a Marc Jacobs piece hanging in your very own closet that releases happy-time endorphins in your body and brings a smile to your face. I speculate that they’re sewn with heroin needles, but I digress.
If you happen to be of the tier who is able to afford designer duds, then more power to you. I will be over to raid your closet once I finish this blog. However, if you are of the 99.9 percent of the rest of us whose closest contact to high fashion happens to be a Coach keychain (which still sets you back 40 bucks), continue reading this guide to scoring big-name pieces while keeping your pocketbook somewhat intact. Even if you can afford full price, get more bang for your buck by reading how to save where you would normally splurge.
Before you consider sacrificing your rent money for some bangin’ Louboutin’s, I first suggest the power of the internet. Bluefly, the leading online retailer for discount designer, sells brand-new, non-defective clothing at discounts up to 75 percent off. Bluefly makes shopping easy by including the options to shop by price, size, designer and item. To find the best deals, I recommend skipping straight to the clearance section and opting to sort prices from low to high.
Online shopping can be daunting for newcomers, but for those familiar with their own size and measurements, Bluefly may be the perfect fit. Designer labels DKNY, Diane von Furstenberg, Diesel and Ralph Lauren often have the best sales on the site.
Another online option is the Gilt Groupe, which is instant access to the best sample sales without having to fight the crowds or even to be in the same state. Gilt features items from up-and-coming designers at a deep discount, in natural sample sale fashion. The items up for grabs are often sample designs, overstock and discontinued items, available from specific designers on specific days. Gilt is more hit-and-miss than Bluefly, but a completely original frock is practically guaranteed. Registration is required and invite-only (enter ixlikeabadstarxi@yahoo.com as your reference), but it is free.
Also, never underestimate the enigma that is eBay. Although eBay is peppered with the occasional fake Chanel and Chinatown Prada, it is also full of legit sellers looking to regain their losses from last-season’s fashions. There are guides abound to spotting fakes, but the general rule of thumb is that if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
If physical shopping is your cup of tea, as opposed to the internet, there are still many, many great deals to be found. Brick-and-mortar outlet stores such as TJ Maxx, Ross and Value City are notorious for their low prices but be ready to hunt for the big names. TJ Maxx is a favorite for designer shopping, where I have (no joke!) witnessed a Diane von Furstenberg tote on sale for $15. Generally, items that wind up in these stores are completely fine for purchasing but have been discounted for not being up to that designer’s particular standards or are discontinued and out of season.
If all else fails and you’re still finding that a $15 DvF tote is beyond your means, your roommate’s closet is generally open territory, as long as you ask first. Chances are, she’ll be willing to exchange her worn-a-thousand-times-and-in-every-picture-ever-taken dress for your glittery tank top. Hey, maybe she’ll even give it to you.
Happy shopping!
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