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We all love a bargain, especially when it comes to clothes. Brand Alley, the online designer sale site has announced a 70% increase in sales in just nine months! Brand Alley doesn’t just stock fashion either, at the moment they have fragrance, saucepans and beauty products. Their range has significantly increased over the last couple of years, which is one reason for the increase in sales.
Brand Alley works by selling items in flash sales, once the stock is gone, it’s gone. They are by no means the only designer outlet website out there. Members only site Cocosa has even shorter sales than Brand Alley but concentrate on higher end products, similarly Achica the ‘members only lifestyle store’ sells branded homewares and gifts. At the other end of the spectrum, theoutnet.com can make even some high end fashion within reach.
These sites are addictive! From the comfort of your own home, you can browse through random sales looking at things you wouldn’t go out of your way to see in a shop. You do this because you might stumble across a bargain that you hadn’t realised you needed before, but now, how could you live without it? I do this all the time, which is why I have six cute mirrors that I can’t put up because I don’t want to put holes in the wall of my rented flat. And why I have a bikini that doesn’t really fit me that well.
But still these are bargains because one day they will be useful! From an ethical perspective, if these products are past season then it makes sense to snap them up surely rather than let unwanted gifts pile up in a warehouse somewhere, or worse, in landfill. So without further ado here are my online bargain tips:
- Decide if you are shopping for things you need or whether you have enough money to buy random bits that take your fancy. If you are on a budget don’t tempt yourself by browsing shoe sales when all you actually need this season is a new coat.
- Don’t order anything too close to when you need it because these sites often have a slower than average delivery time, in my experience up to three weeks.
- Do think ahead for Christmas/birthday gifts etc, the recipient will think you have spent a lot more money than you have (although it’s the thought that counts of course . . .)
- Even these outlet sites have clearance sales, look out for them.
- Search clothes by size to avoid disappointment when you fall in love with a dress which is only available three sizes too small.
(Juicy Couture Coat pictured is available on Brand Alley now)
