How to buy designer on a budget

I am a devout lover of Christian Louboutin, Chanel and Agent Provocateur to name but a few.
If I buy myself anything of a high end quality you can bet your bottom dollar that I have worked for it and made some sacrifices.
I have a very simplistic wardrobe, relying on my jewellery, bag’s and accessories to pull my looks together.
I don’t own hundreds of expensive shoes I own TWO handbags.
I keep my purchase of clothes and jewellery to a minimum.
The facts:I have more underwear than I do outer wear.
I also do not own a single pair socks but that is entirely by choice.
When I have money, I spend it without thought,I shouldn’t admit it but I do.
When I am beyond broke I stick to these rules
(as much as possible).

Go for QUALITY rather than QUANTITY
The hard fact about affording designer products on a budget-
You simply cannot expect to pick up Designer pieces without spending a bit of money.
 
SAVE
You must make sacrifices.
I don’t go clothes shopping much. I window shop.
Luckily I don’t find it necessary to own hundreds of pieces of clothing.
When I do decided to splurge I have to remind myself that Instead of buying five pairs of cheap shoes that will disintegrate and scuff by the end of the year, I should work towards saving for ONE pair of stunning, timeless shoes that will last me.

MONEY SAVING TIPS
At the weekend when I go out, I always save back 5 euro from my allowance before I go out. I do this without exceptions.

Money counting apps are AMAZING-
Spend Log is a personal life saver
Seeing how much you can spend WILL scare the bejazus out of you:
You WILL stop buying unnecessary things.

Do not restrict yourself, if you see something YOU CAN AFFORD and really want, buy it.  Living life by a rule book is not fun!

Reward Cards-It doesn’t cost you a penny to start one, so why not collect points while you shop? Even if it means you only get a euro or two off bits and bobs, it’s better than a slap in the face!

BE FRUGAL, BUT NEVER MEAN
I think being frugal is great, of course frugality is something that is only great when shopping for clothing you don’t REALLY need but you WANT.
Don’t carry it in to your entire life, being a sponging tight arse is never good.
ALWAYS PAY YOUR WAY
Never expect a free ride in life and never use someone else’s kindness and generosity as a way to fatten your own wallet .
It will leave you with NO friends.
You rude little bugger.

Live within your means but not REALLY
No one want to be accused of being boring or unimaginative!
I have serious delusions of grandeur.
To support my delusions I buy my essentials such as leggings from Penney’s
They retail as little as 5 euro- I also buy my tights there too.
This helps me save money so much
Leggings &tights in general have a relatively short shelf life. I have found the ones I buy to be very good quality and thickness.
Saving money on things like this helps you justify lusting over shoes that cost over 700 euro. Kind of.

SHOP IN THE SALES, No shame in doing so
Yes nice brands are still expensive enough even with 50% off but for the quality of the garment, it is worth parting with your cash.
This makes the most sense to me

DONT GET ENTICED BY THE FIRST WEEK OF SALES
If I see something I like, I will TRY wait it out.
Occasionally you do get your heart broken, waiting and waiting for this stunning dress to be further reduced them BAM- dress is suddenly sold out-tears will be shed.

OUTLETS
I love outlets, you can find some real gems among the piles and piles of repugnant things.
Be prepared to trawl.
Armani & beauty outlets are my personal favourites.

TK MAXXThe MECCA of all outlets.
In my time I have found some crackers deal wise. Though the men’s section always seems to have the best stuff!.

SHOP ONLINE
Ah I love a good browse online!
Websites like the outnet you can score some fantastic designer savings!
Look around and try find the best deal before purchasing but...
HONEY, YOU MUST DO YOUR RESEARCH.
First and foremost make sure the website is reputable and secure. Fraud is never fun.
Look for promotional discount codes and see if they offer free shipping.
Free shipping is a bonus but not a right-
don’t bemoan shipping costs, you will find most websites have very fair rate and a few postage options such as standard (cheaper) or recorded (the more expensive option).

OVERSEAS WEBSITES
Check the exchange rate
Factor in the tax you will have to pay.
Shipping taxes utterly repulse me, but I’ve got hit with some whoppers in my time but hey, SHIP happens
I am just too witty.

LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES
If you ordered from a dodge website, got landed with enough tax to feed a small nation... chances are you’re not going to let that happen again!

START AN EBAY ACCOUNT AND LEARN TO LET GO OF STUFF
Totally sucks, I hate letting go of things.
Selling on old pieces of clothing can be a heart breaker, but if you want something enough, you will do it.
Plus on eBay you can sell random ass stuff and someone out there will want to buy it! Class.

LEARN TO TOTALLY NOT DESPISE TAX AND VAT...DESPITE WHAT I SAID EARLIER
Look, we all hate it.
Seeing our big old eBay monthly invoice, makes my heart sad but hey-
stay on the straight and narrow kids!

TRAWL EBAY:
eBay is as good a place as any to find some authentic second hand (and sometimes brand new)designer goods for a lower than expected price.
You have to be savvy though and realise that you are not going to get something genuine for ten cent.

IF SOMETHING IS TO BE GOOD TO BE TRUE...
An absolutely pristine Chanel bag someone is willing to part with for under 1000 euro even though it is one of the most highly sought after designs...
No, just no. It will be fake.
I have seen some nice damaged via wear and tear bags for sale for the 400/500 mark which were genuine.
Counterfeit goods repulse me, not because I work hard to afford genuine, but because the slave labour involved in their production is abhorrent!.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK:
Want a pair of Christian Louboutin Pigalles?
Want to search eBay for a pair?
Easy, click in buy your normal shoe size. WRONG!
If you want to buy second hand shoes online:
GO IN TO A CL BOUTIQUE AND GET FITTED IN THE STYLE YOU ARE SEARCHING ON.
Buying the wrong size is a costly mistake to make- it’s heartbreaking to own a pair of shoes you adore but cannot wear.
I HAVE MADE THIS MISTAKE....TWICE.

MAKE PEACE WITH CHANEL,THEY NEVER GO IN TO SALE
Such a pain, but strangely something that makes owning your very own bag all the more special.
You have to save for a considerable time before you can afford a CHANEL
Two summers ago from hair bands to old shoes, I sold the lot.
It was then I realised buying shoes in new look or penneys every second weekend was just moronic.
With my earnings I bought myself a Jumbo XL Chanel Flap Bag
The best thing I ever did.

I HOPE this post helps someone realise you CAN shop designer without breaking the bank entirely!