Buying High Fashion for Less
By Balkish Rosly
The world of fashion is so powerful that one would kill to own the titillating Chanel’s 2.55 or a Proenza Schouler’s PS1. Still, the current price hike and economy woes disturb even the chic-est designer clad fashionista in Malaysia. However, don’t start purchasing knock offs just yet! Believe it or not, there are ways for you to purchase genuine branded goods for less.
Brands aren’t made equal
The world ain’t fair but some items are just not made to be within our means. A Birkin bag for example costs an arm, a leg, and possibly two second-hand Perodua Kancil to obtain. Alas, we are not born with money or power to purchase 45 different Birkins to suit our outfits, nor are we blessed with waif-like figures for designers to claim as muse and thus showered with luxurious goods. But worry not, high fashion brands are not made equal either.
More “affordable” contemporary designers like Coach, Michael Kors, and Tory Burch could be purchased at discounted prices thanks to branded outlet stores overseas. Comrades, do take the term ‘affordable’ very loosely here – RM800 a pop for a Coach bag is considered as dirt cheap in the high fashion world. Without further ado, here are some ways for you to grab your own designer studs at a fraction of the original cost!
Do it Online
Nothing gives us more joy than the ability to purchase a tortoise shell Michael Kors watch in our undies. Oh, the World Wide Web, what a splendour! Shopping from home is a luxury in itself; one could experience a cognitive dissonance without the glare of the snooty sales person. Go ahead, ponder on for days and let your mind go through the - I should save money – but I need that RM2,500 bag – Let me just check my account balance – process before finally making the purchase.
At the top of the list, Reebonz is Malaysia’s go-to online shop when it comes to purchasing a high fashion brand at a concession. Online shoppers’ arch nemesis is counterfeit goods, but the website claims that all of the items they carry are 100% authentic, and they aim to deliver customers purchase within 5 business days. The Gods of high fashion must be smiling down on working class fashionistas, because the website allows purchasers to pay for the goods via instalments. For pop-up sales on bags, shoes and other goods, Singapore’s Clout Shoppe is your online destination. Recently bought over by non-other than Reebonz, Clout Shoppe too offers designer goods at a lesser price. Then, there’s Lussonet, Malaysia’s online shopping club that offers multiple discount deals for a short period of time. Those who would like to branch out could try perusing The Outnet.com, the high fashion-focused Net-a-Porter’s outlet site.
Tip: Clueless about bags and worried about knock-offs? Head on to Purse blog for more information on counterfeit goods and how to spot the fake.
Visit the Stores
While lounging around in our undies is heavenly, there’s nothing more orgasmic then witnessing arrays upon arrays of luxurious goods before our very eyes. So get dressed fashionistas, because we’re going shopping! The destination is Johor Premium Outlet, a one-stop shopping haven for brand conscious shoppers to scoop up designer items for less. The collections available are almost never current, but hey it’s better than nothing when you’re on a budget.
Too stingy to splurge but dying to adorn a high fashion something on your body? Then warehouse sale is your answer. The queue is lengthy, the visitors crazy, but the goods are sold cheaply. If this is up your alley, then try subscribing to websites like Big Sale for alerts on designer warehouse sales. Or else, shopaholics could always continue biting those freshly manicured nails while waiting for the departmental stores to hang the Sale sign.
Accost a friend
Well, not literally but if you do have travelling friends or those working on airplanes – you could ask them to get the goods for you from overseas. Put your best face forward and make a request, or else nag them until they said yes.
Alternatively, there are individuals who offer to purchase high fashion brands (usually US brands) for you. Famous trustworthy buyers include Princess Victoria Stylo, who received rave reviews for her reliable and speedy service. However, be a savvy fashionista and take precaution when dealing with strangers. The last thing you need is to be duped thousands of dollars by a leech online.
Re-loved
Lastly, brand conscious buyers could always grab a re-loved (it’s a much better term than ‘pre-loved! As if your love for those Chanel slingbacks can ever be a thing of the past) designer piece to call their own! There is no shame in wearing a vintage second hand iconic Burberry tweed jacket. If anything, it will further elevate your cool status. For vintage lovers, eBay never disappoints. Locally, Scoop at Plaza Damas offers a plethora of salivating pre-loved designer bags to stimulate one’s eyes. From Aigner to Hermes, Scoop has it covered! A friend of our staff also picked up a gorgeous vintage genuine Louis Vuitton and Saint Laurent sling bag for RM200 each at the Amcorp Mall’s weekly bazaar. Enough talking, let’s go shopping!
* Balkish Rosly is an Investigative Journalist of SaveMoney.my, an online consumer advice portal which aims to help Malaysians save money through smart (and most of the time painless) savings in their daily banking, technology, and lifestyle spending habits.
