Buying designer clothing on a budget

Most of us earn an average income, therefore buying the latest designer threads will be way out of our price range. Either that or our bank account will take a serious nosedive. And while you usually pay for quality, there are mistakes average shoppers can make when buying designer clothing on a budget. Here are some tips on how to maximise your money when shopping for designer duds.

Quantity doesn’t always mean quality

The fashion industry has a way of tricking unsuspecting custo mers into thinking that a high price equals high quality. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, with many poorly made garments hiding behind fancy designer names. Because of this, it is important to research your labels carefully in an effort to find out about the industry – who uses the best materials, who has the best work ethic and who is renowned for their quality. Chesca is one of the many designers in the UK who excel in producing quality designer clothing at affordable prices.

Choose the tried and tested formula

We’ve all heard of famous designers – Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton, Valentino etc, but unless you know and love these designers, and have worn clothing by them before, stick to the designer you know well. While a famous designer may appeal to you, their clothing may not be suited to your body shape or lifestyle. Again, take time to research the types of clothing they make and who their clothing is targeted at. Also, visit runway shows if possible to get a better idea of their clothing.

Start with designer pieces for special occasions

If you are able to afford just one designer piece, start out with something formal and special. It is useless buying a fancy, expensive designer bag when the rest of your outfit does not do it justice. Therefore, buy a formal dress or classic pumps and save them for a special occasion. In this way, over time, you will be able to add to the outfit, and by the time your special occasion rolls around, you will be set – dressed head to toe by your favourite designer.

Stay away from designer trends

Start your designer collection with pieces and colours that are classic. Stay away from fads and trends that are in one season and out the next. Typical classic designer clothing includes trench coats in a traditional cut, pumps, shirt and smart pants. Once you are set with these basics, then you can further your fashion repertoire with more trendy pieces. It is no use investing hundreds, if not thousands on a trendy designer outfit that fades into obscurity a few months down the line.

Stick to labels that have been around for a while

Many people believe that their success is based on the label on their clothing. While this is fine, it can backfire if you settle for popularity instead of classics. When purchasing designer duds for the first time, opt for designers that have a long and illustrious history, and one that is renowned in the industry.

When is comes to buying designer clothing on a budget, stick to garments of high quality, garments that will last a long time, and garments that will never go out of fashion. In the end, your little splurge should be worth the dent in your bank account.

Author bio

This article was written for Gray and Osbourn, and online shopping portal hosting some of the biggest fashion designers in the world, including Chesca.