Food, Home and Style
At the End of Your Robe: Best Sites for Discount Shopping
You don’t need to be on your toes anymore to score the best deals on the best clothes—you just need to be online. Over the past few years, some fabulous sites have sprung up that offer bargains that were once limited to sample sales in New York, discount codes, inexpensive basics, and even cash back on clothing purchases. These seven websites will get you in the know and have you saving like a fashion insider.
Gilt Groupe
My favorite online secret. Gilt Groupe offers daily sales on the best men’s and women’s designer merchandise at incredible savings—think Zac Posen, Alvin Valley, Jack Spade. Merchandise goes fast, but I recently scored a cashmere sweater and a Stella McCartney travel bag for less than $100 each. Gilt Groupe is invitation-only, but to join as my friend visit this link.
Retailmenot.com
Have you ever gone to buy something online and only later spotted a discount code that would have saved you an extra 10 percent? Look up your favorite store at this free site, and it pops up available codes. On a recent visit I found coupons for Banana Republic, L.L. Bean, Urban Outfitters and American Apparel.
Ebates.com
Who doesn’t love getting cash back? Sign up for Ebates and when you buy at participating stores online, they will credit your account, typically for 1 to 10 percent of each purchase. Every three months, Ebates will mail you a check. Sound too good to be true? Check it out yourself. You can also have the money sent to a Paypal account or have it donated to your favorite charity. Sephora, DSW, Bluefly and Victoria’s Secret all participate.
Shop It To Me
Don’t have time to scour websites for the best deals—especially when that sexy dress you want might not be available in your size? Select your favorite brands at Shop It To Me, and it will automatically search top retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and Bluefly, and send you daily or weekly updates about pieces you might want that just went on sale. Now that’s service.
Redtagcrazy.com
Have a little fun and save an average of 50% off retail prices with this quick-as-lightning website. Every two to three hours a new item is posted, with an in-depth description of the piece and it’s designer. But limited numbers of those sailor shorts or sweater dresses are available—and for a limited time. The selection is great, the pace is fast and the savings can add up. Sign up for their email alerts to jump ahead of the pack.
Heavenly Couture
Move over Old Navy, the best deals on basics are now online. At Heavenly, everything is $17.95 or less. Choose from drapey dresses and colorful camisoles, denim shorts, and even jackets and hoodies. Stock up on multiple pieces and get free shipping. Shoes and accessories are coming soon.
Bag Borrow or Steal
Sex and the City made this site famous, and for good reason—it’s a great way to change up your accessories without draining your wallet. For as little as $25 a month you can rent designer handbags, sunglasses, jewelry and watches and use them for as long as you like. When you are “over” them simply send it item back and rent something new. If you like your rental too much to give it back, simply request to “steal” it and you can purchase the piece on the spot.
Julie Greene is an independent fashion stylist, wardrobe consultant and writer. She lives in New York City. Read more of her column about looking fierce in a financial crisis here.
Recessionwire is on Twitter! Follow us to get the latest headlines, tips and insights for surviving and thriving in the recession. http://twitter.com/recessionwire.
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20 comments for “At the End of Your Robe: Best Sites for Discount Shopping”
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Believe it or not, I would also add Amazon.com to this list. Christmas before last, my husband got me a Movado watch from Amazon that was at least $500 less than the one we’d seen at Macy’s. Overstock.com is also a good source of designer merchandise at discounted prices.
I also really like ruelala.com – i find that the brands on that site are more accessible and the prices a little less expensive than on gilt groupe.
I actually love redtagcrazy.com, so I’m super glad to see it on your list. I swear, they have the craziest prices… and somehow, it’s all legitimate. I don’t even know how they make money, but the stuff is amazing and I keep coming back for the bargains and the Chick Chat.
[...] Julie Greene added an interesting post today on Best Bargain Shopping Websites | RecessionwireHere’s a small readingOver the past few years, some fabulous sites have sprung up that offer bargains that were once limited to sample sales in New York, discount codes, inexpensive basics, and even cash back on clothing purchases. … Gilt Groupe offers daily sales on the best men’s and women’s designer merchandise at incredible savings—think Zac Posen, Alvin Valley, Jack Spade. Merchandise goes fast, but I recently scored a cashmere sweater and a Stella McCartney travel bag for less than … [...]
I would like to add http://aafter.com/ to the list. It offers heaviest cash back, most of the time.
Regards,
SharonHill
[...] a great list of places to get some recession shopping done without spending money on gas, compliments of Recessionwire. Gilt Groupe Gilt Groupe offers daily sales on the best men’s and women’s designer merchandise [...]
To echo Christy’s comment: I also have heard very good things about RueLaLa as well. Only problem is that like GiltGroupe, it’s by invitation-only. Maybe the folks at RecessionWire can post an invite for their faithful readers?
[...] Best Bargain Shopping Websites | Recessionwire [...]
I think followsales.com is also one of the best bargain websites, it includes most famous stores’ deals. Although it’s somekind of unknown to public. It’s more convenient to find real sale items, rather than deals’ links or abstract description.
Another one to add to the list: Madison Avenue Spy (http://madisonavenuespy.com/)
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Guys,
I am just waiting for black friday, for that I will add http://www.dealighted.com/ , http://www.dealnews.com/ , http://www.dealtaker.com/ , http://www.cheapdeals101.com/ ..I guess this will help you tooo…Really nice list of coupon sites…add couponchef to it as well…Belllaaa
Hi,
I really like this website, since they do fundraisers to help other people out. If you’d like to help, and receive 10% off your order at checkout, enter the coupon code, eva. Please help and buy at least one item. Thank you!
For instant access to some of the best invite only sites I’ve found–ideeli, rue la la, billion dollar babes, the top secret, gilt groupe, editor’s closet, hautelook, gomatta girls, and DD Push–follow this link for your invitations:
http://bestonlinesamplesales.blogspot.com/
Hi there,
http://www.recessionwire.com – da best. Keep it going!
Thanks
What an awesome site. They sell giftcards to all of your favorite restaurants, retailers, and resorts at a major discount! Cool! I have saved a ton so far
Thanks for article. Everytime like to read you.
Gorgeous website for shopping designer handbags,www.e-bicestervillage.com. How come it could be so cheap? Are they real ones? Anyway, i got one from there, and like it a lot…
I’m a big fan of slickdeals, esp. its handpicked deals. However, if u wanna look for great deals in stock, such as Kohl’s or macys’, i highly recommended followsales.com. Their pictures of single discounted items make picking up deals more convenient.
Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on that. And he actually bought me lunch because I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that.