Designer clothes can be expensive, but they’re often worth the price. However, many question whether splurging on designer clothes buys better quality or superior style.
Fortunately, there are ways to get cheap designer clothes on sale. You can find closeout, flash sales, and consignment stores websites offering discounts on designer pieces.
Swap
If you love designer clothing but hate spending money on it, there are many ways to get the clothes you want without spending a fortune. Websites like Nordstrom, Luxury Garage Sale, and StockX offer designer discounts of up to 75%. These websites also allow you to buy and sell items; some even authenticate their products. Another great option is to sign up for Shopstyle’s “favorites” feature, which alerts you when your favorite designer pieces go on sale.
Diffusion lines
Diffusion lines, or secondary brands, are a way for fashion houses to reach a new audience while generating extra revenue. These lines usually feature cheaper fabrics and less resource-intensive manufacturing processes. They also offer a more casual aesthetic than the main line. Some famous examples include Marc by Marc Jacobs, CK by Calvin Klein, and See by Chloe.
Younger shoppers often embrace these labels and can be found at high-end department stores. However, some fashion insiders have criticized these brands for targeting the masses. Some even go as far as to call them “lower end.” In fact, these labels have become more popular with the rise of streetwear and sneaker culture. They have made designer products more accessible to the everyday consumer but have also been targeted by bots and resellers. This is a problem that SoleSavy strives to address with our content.
In today’s fast-paced industry, many designers have moved away from the diffusion brand model and are embracing collaborations and “drop”-based releases. These changes have resulted in lower prices for designer items but have also allowed these brands to maintain their reputation and quality.
While the heyday of the diffusion line may have passed, it remains an important model for some luxury brands. It allows them to reach a wider audience and gives them the flexibility to experiment with their collections. For example, the DRKSHDW line by Rick Owens is an excellent way to translate his most avant-garde designs into commercially viable pieces. Nevertheless, the proliferation of fast-fashion brands threatens to put diffusion lines at risk. If not handled correctly, these brands could end up muddying their brand identity and forcing them to close up shop.
Capsule collections
The capsule collection fashion trend is a popular way for brands to create buzz and hype. These curated collections of fast-fashion designs are usually released during the off-peak season and feature limited quantities guaranteed to sell out quickly. They are also a great way for brands to increase their social media presence and build brand awareness. In addition to boosting sales, these collections can increase traffic and average ticket prices by attracting consumers who are interested in buying rare or exclusive items.
Capsule collections are a small selection of highly versatile clothing that can be worn in multiple ways. Designed to be the foundation of your closet, these pieces will help you achieve a polished look without overspending or over-consuming. They are a great alternative to traditional wardrobes that contain too many options but can still be overwhelming to maintain. Rector recommends keeping your capsule wardrobe to 37 items, including a mix-and-match variety of pieces you love to wear.
A great example of a capsule collection is Theory 2.0, a project launched by the contemporary luxury label in 2017. The project involved a cross-functional team across the organization, including design, merchandising, and retail planning. Its goal was to create a versatile, easy-to-wear wardrobe that was sustainable and ethically produced.
Dresses& Jumpsuits: To start, identify the dresses you regularly wear. Ideally, they should be classic, timeless, and neutral in color. Next, look for dresses that can be dressed up or down. Lastly, keep the dresses you love and donate or recycle the rest. Also, make sure to keep a few pairs of jeans in different washes.
Bridge lines
The bridge line category is the price range below a designer collection but above a better collection. It includes everything from blazers and skirts to satin camisoles edged in lingerie lace and long dresses in crinkled fabrics to shirttail hems and ribbon tape. It’s a broad category that can be tricky for designers to define, and it has become a battleground for retaining customers as retailers revamp their inventory.
Fashion insiders often use the term “bridge” to describe a variety of styles, from sportswear to ready-to-wear and even career apparel. However, the industry has never had a consensus on what the term means, its target customer, or how to market a product.
Some fashion designers are trying to reposition their bridge lines by focusing on younger customers. This new generation of women is looking for work clothing that’s stylish but not overly expensive. Many of these clothes can also be worn as casual wear, and some are even suitable for evening occasions.
Others are refocusing their bridge lines on a more sophisticated look. Isaac Mizrahi and CK Calvin Klein have both launched bridge lines that are more formal than their primary collections. This move may help them escape the negative connotations of the bridge and capture a more sophisticated customer base.
Many popular designers have discovered their audience for higher-priced designer collections is shrinking. These designers try to compensate for this loss by launching bridge lines, which are lower priced than their designer collections but still have the same design sensibility. Despite their popularity, these clothing lines are not always successful and tend to get a bad reputation. For example, Anne Klein II and Emanuel Ungaro have been plagued with poor sales in recent seasons.