How I Save Money To Buy Designer Items
*Last updated on 28th September 2023.
I thought I would do a blog post on how I save money and how I acquire my designer bags and shoes. I’ve often had people mistake me for being rich, having a trust fund, or something along those lines, but none of it is true. I still live at home, I run my own blogging business that I built up from my home myself, and I am not from a rich family at all, in fact we actually grew up without much money at all. With all this in mind though, I wanted to show you how I afford more expensive things sometimes, and how it’s possible. I don’t have children myself, so I know it can be a little more difficult for those of you who do though.
I wanted to point out as well that I would never buy fake pieces. I’m completely against it due to it being illegal and funding awful things in foreign countries, as well as damaging the original designers brand and your own integrity. It’s not a route that should be taken in the fashion blogging industry, especially when you might have the chance of working with some of the brands. We all have things we love and spend our money on, whether that’s fashion, technology, cars, sports, gaming, collecting stamps etc, or my designer bags/shoes, so I will always do anything I can in order to take the authentic route and have investment pieces.
I remember reading a blog post by Dominique on That New Dress last year on how she affords luxury items and it was so similar to myself, but I thought I would link up to it anyway as another reference as she’s a fashion blogger with a love of designer pieces like myself. I used to make the mistake a long time ago of not buying items I could re-sale or that keep their value, so I try to make sure I get classics now. Anyway, here are the 6 ways I save money for my designer purchases below.
Please note, it only makes sense to do this if you grow your savings first. You always need an emergency fund, just in case anything unforeseen happens, so only look at buying designer items after you have savings for emergencies. I’ve put myself in a position of not doing that before, and it was a huge mistake. So please take that financial advice and never allow yourself to go into dept because of designer purchases!
Selling Items I Don’t Wear
One of the main things I do, as I have mentioned before, is sell the items I no longer wear. This can be laborious and a chore, and it can take many months, but it’s a great way to really save for a new item without feeling like you’re wasting money or feeling too guilty. For example, as I said in my Celine Micro Belt Bag review, I had sold around 25-30 items in order to make up money for it. This included mostly jeans and other clothing, but it’s a great way to do it because it creates extra money. It gives you an incentive to sell items that are taking up space if you say to yourself that 75% of the money towards your new item has to come from selling. It’s what really drove me to do it! I do obviously struggle to sell some things as I have attachment issues with them, but anything I can part with, I do. It can be stressful though, but it proves how committed you are to the new item.
Looking For Discounts & Sales
This may sound obvious, but being savvy with discounts and sales is one of the best ways. Some designer brands that you are saving for can be bought online, and will go in the sale, for example: Valentino, Mulberry, Chloe, Burberry, Saint Laurent etc., while other designers don’t. If you think the item you want is likely to not be that popular and enter the end of season sale, it’s worth waiting. I know a lot of ladies don’t like to buy seasonal pieces at retail value. The best way to do this is to always be ready! The summer sales start in June (there’s some amazing ones right now) and the winter sales start in December/January. Keep the tabs open on your browser of the item you want and check it each day to see if the price has dropped.
Since it’s always the seasonal items that enter the sale, never the classics, you might want to look for discount codes. When it comes to certain holidays like Thanksgiving and the wonderful Black Friday, or 4th of July celebrations etc., a lot of stores will have discount codes. Bloggers will often be told in advance about the codes, so it’s always worth checking with them to find out, or doing a quick Google search for some of the latest ones. Dedicated deals websites, like Groupon, have pages for specific stores and they list the codes and offers on at the moment. Some shops online even offer you discount codes for signing up to their email newsletters, so it’s always best to do your research. I’ve managed to find some classic pieces with a discounted price due to this, so it pays to shop around.
Cut Back On Lifestyle Expenditures
For me, this one is really easy as it’s where I save a lot of money. Personally, I don’t smoke, I don’t drink alcohol, I don’t really have nights out, I have water with my meals when I go out and we usually eat at restaurants (once a week) that accept the gourmet card, so we can use the discount offers. If I choose to go to the cinema, then I go on the Tuesday/Wednesday Meerkat Movie deals for buy one get one free as well. Obviously this is my lifestyle preference and I don’t feel like I am missing out on anything as I’m very much an ‘at home’ type of person. If going out and spending money on social activities is one of your favourite things to do though, you can always budget it and look at areas where you could save some money here and there. For me though, it saves a lot of money as I wouldn’t be able to do both.
Being Savvy With My Spending
If you have been a reader of my blog for a while, you will know that I really only buy designer bags, shoes, and occasionally accessories. Other than premium denim jeans (which I always get discounted), I never spend my money on designer clothing. What I mean by being savvy with my spending though is mixing high and low together. I’m happy to wear clothing pieces from Topshop, H&M, ASOS, River Island etc and then have my shoes and accessories as the designer option. Choosing a certain area to spend your money on, like bags, is great really as it means it’s an investment and you can wear it with all of your outfits so it’s not feeling redundant after the 5th wear (like a clothing piece would be).
Another tip for being savvy with spending for me is by being strict. I used to have a habit of buying things I saw on the spur of the moment because they were in the sale, but then I usually never wore them. In my head I thought I was saving money and getting a great deal, but in reality I was actually spending money on something that I didn’t really need or want. So, my advice is, don’t buy because it’s on sale, put that money away towards your bag or shoes that you’re actually saving for.
Designer Shopping Outlets
Designer shopping outlets are a great place to be! You can save so much money! If you don’t mind having factory seconds or out of season items, you’re winning! I’ve often made many a trip and call to outlets before when I’ve been searching for a bag that I just couldn’t find anywhere. I seem to have a habit of always wanting the pieces that are no longer available! I’m heading to Bicester Village in Oxfordshire for my birthday in August and I know they have outlets for Celine, Gucci, Burberry, MCM, Chloe… It’s a huge list, and the prices are pretty discounted compared to retail. If you can’t make it to actual shopping centres though, there’s places online like The Outnet and Yoox.
Buying Pre-Owned Pieces
To save money, I have been known to buy pre-owned pieces before too. Sometimes this is due to the fact that the bag I wanted is no longer available and I have to scan eBay or Vestiaire Collective daily for someone to sell theirs (I did this with my Mulberry Mini Taylor in Deer Brown and it took a year to get!) or because the retail value was just too much and I didn’t mind it being second hand. I think as long as the condition is good and you know it’s 100% authentic as you have proof or can authenticate items yourself, it’s a great idea. A lot of ladies look after their designer bags and they will often be in great condition, so you can get a good deal. I know a lot of people prefer new, but I often think that I’m giving the item a new home so that it can be enjoyed again, and if it does have a few little marks or scratches, it makes me less afraid to use it myself in case of damage.
So, these are 6 ways in which I save money and how I do it in order to purchase a designer item that I’ve been wanting. Obviously if it’s quite expensive (like my Celine or Chanel) then it takes me a good few months to get there, but it’s a great sense of achievement when I do! I usually limit myself to 2 bags per year and make sure I definitely want the item before I commit to saving for it. I know a lot of you ladies that adore fashion will be quite similar, saving money in other aspects of your life, so I would love to hear some of the tips that you have in order to afford your designers pieces! Lorna xx.
Discover more from FORD LA FEMME
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I do a lot of these as well. I only have a hand full of designer hand bag but own 8 pair of ugg boots. Which have lasted me for years. Since having my daughter I have really cut back on my spending.
http://www.amysfashionblog.com/blog-home/
Author
Yeah, I know a few people who love Ugg boots too!
Great tips! I love that you were open about how you shop and save to get these designer brands. I own a few designer shoes, and I save for awhile to get them.
http://www.comfycozyup.com
Author
It’s a great feeling isn’t it when you manage to get what you saved for?!
I love how you save up for your passion!
Author
Thanks, Nancy!
Great post! I’ve been on a selling kick myself lately, and you’re right, it definitely is laborious and I too have attachment issues haha. I also LOVE perusing Ebay for good quality second hand items. You really can find just about anything at a good price if you are dedicated and have the patience! Almost all my bags (and some jeans too) have been acquired that way.
xo Lana
http://www.decadentdissonance.com
Author
Yes! eBay used to be my go to for the jeans I wanted which were no longer available, I mean I sometimes will still check about 4 times a day and have saved searches, ha ha! You can get some real treasures that way!
All fantastic points! I used to get all of my stuff through outlets, but the rise of pre-owned sites have really created an opportunity to get so many great pieces. And girl, that Celine bag is gooooorgeous. I’m in love with it. 😍
Author
Yes! Pre-owned sites are much better now! Glad you like my Celine 🙂 You should see the review for more photos.
I use some of your above mentioned ideas while buying designers , like looking for discounts and sales that’s typically me, now I got more ideas thanks to you ,
Sharon Elsie l http://www.diva-in-me.com
Author
Yes! Discounts and sales! I love them!
Thank you for these amazing tips,
to be honest I don’t even have a single designer item.
Definetly need one, one day 😉
take a look at my Blog and my Instgram
Author
Never know, maybe next year might be the time 🙂
These are great tips! I always save up for the pieces I want, and selling older ones as you said helps towards that. My bag budget has definitely decreased now we have kids, but I just change the bands I look at so I can still buy pieces I love, just that better suit our budget at the moment, haha!
Hope that you are having a great week so far 🙂
Away From The Blue Blog
Author
Yes 😀 I feel that way too about changing the brands! There’s a lot of great ones that are a lot cheaper, so it depends on what you are looking for. Or if I am completely set on something more expensive, I will just wait longer until I can manage it.
Great suggestions!!
https://julesonthemoon.blogspot.com/
Author
Thanks!
Great tips here. I practice many of them myself. Sounds like you do an excellent job budgeting yourself and finding good deals.
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.con
Author
Thank you! I like to think so!
This tips are so goooood! I’m definitely a fan of simply saving up for a luxury piece, for me it makes the whole process seemed so much more special – like I really earnt it! Lovely post Hun 🙂
Grace Louise || http://www.gracelouiseofficial.blogspot.co.uk/
Author
Glad you liked it 🙂
These are all brilliant points Lorna, it can be surprising how we can save money to pick up a new treat we’ve got our eyes on! Love your point about looking for discounts/sales too 🙂 hope you’re having a lovely week so far!
aglassofice.com x
Author
So glad you liked it 🙂
These are very good tips. I also do many of those things just as a matter of habit. I make my own coffee and eat out with a budget in mind. Even though I am older and financially secure, I do not like to waste money. If i have extra money I like to donate it to charity, and save for the future, which is getting less predictable every day. Also I want my children to inherit…
I love to buy secondhand as well. I know many people in my age group buy secondhand , as we had parents who lived in the depression…but it is inspiring to read of someone your age with these excellent habits and ethos,
Fabulous photos! Beautiful bag, well earned. Wear it with joy.
❤️❤️❤️
Elle
https://theellediaries.com/
Author
Oh that’s good you like to do the same, Elle! I don’t think there’s anything wrong with second hand items sometimes, if anything it’s more cost friendly to you and better to re-use items that would be got rid of by someone else xx.
These are great suggestions for buying designer. A Chanel bag is on my bucket list.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Author
Hopefully you get it one day!
Great post, thanks for sharing.Useful tips about how to save for designer items!
Camille xo
http://www.cococami.blogspot.co.uk
Author
Thank you!
love these tips! great ideas!
kelseybang.com
Author
Thanks!
Thanks for the tips. That nice way to buy everything 🙂
Author
You’re welcome 🙂
I also do selling of my preloved stuff too.
This is such a nice thing.
Much Love,
Jane | The Bandwagon Chic
Author
It’s a great way to save!
Sounds like great advice all round. 🙂 The only note of caution I would inject here is eBay – but that’s because a year or more ago I had a really bad experience with eBay which, though resolved, I feel the company handled it extremely badly and I closed my account at the end of it (mostly out of fear, to be honest…). Anyway I’ll not go into the details in public. Plus I’m just one case against millions of their satisfied customers. 🙂
I think the best money saving thing I’ve ever done is to teach myself how to cook properly… it’s very much an ongoing process so far as the skills go but the closer you can get to buying the fresh ingredients and preparing them from scratch then the more money is saved. 🙂
Author
I know eBay can be an awful place sometimes, there can be buyers and sellers out there that are terrible and do nothing but cause you trouble, I’ve been there and it puts me off doing it, but 90% of the time it goes smoothly, much like blogging I think, so I stick with it for the good side, ha ha 🙂
I can imagine cooking has saved you so much money! It’s such a shame I am useless at it!
This is such a great post!!
http://www.jessicabroyles.com
Author
Thank you!
These are all a great way to save money for that designer accessory! I too love designer bags and sunglasses. My first bag was a Coach and I remember saving all of my tip money I received so that I can buy it. I have also sold items that I no longer use to buy some of my other bags as well. I don’t buy so much designer accessories these days but if I do I will definitely go the consignment route. I have used Fashionphile in the past to purchase some older items no longer available that I wanted and I would again in heartbeat.
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
Author
I’m so glad you manage to do some of those things too! The Coach bag sounds like it was special!
Awesome tips dear! And yes, too many times we have a bunch of items we don’t really use or need in our closet. Selling them can bring in extra income.
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Author
Yep, it’s a great method!
This is awesome. I know that cutting back on lifestyle expenditures can save SO much. I know that within the last couple years I developed a terribly ridiculous habit of grabbing a Starbucks (or Tim Hortons because this is Canada!!!) on my way to work every morning. The money I’ve wasted on chai lattes is probably enough to pay off the debt of a small country. I have my own keurig and a fancy coffee bar at home, I was a barista in University so I know how to make the drinks myself. And most of the time I prefer a good cup of tea over a morning brew. So why I choose to blow a couple bucks a day on something I could make myself and probably do a better job? No idea.
My goal for the fall when the school year starts up and I head back to work is to cut back to a Starbucks/Timmies maybe once or twice a week. Which I know sounds excessive but compared to five times a week… Oh, and to not have my students ask “If I am feeling alright?” when I show up holding something other than a hot drink to-go.
Imagine the money I’d save to put towards shoes instead!
Author
Oh wow, yeah that will definitely add up to like $40 a month or so! I think I’ve only had 2 drinks that I got out this year, one was an ice drink and the other was a hot chocolate, ha ha. So 2 in 6 months isn’t bad! Whatever makes you happy though, we all love what we love! If you have a particular pair of shoes in mind, I’m sure it will spur you on to save!
These are great tips! I always wait for seasonal and half-yearly sales to buy my designer goodies, so during the months leading to the sale I have set a goal for myself which makes me a lot more disciplined about spending money on other expenditures.
x CetteDame.com
Author
That’s a really good idea! I do it too!
There have been times when I have wondered “How in the world does she ever afford that stuff?” Now I know. And you’ve done it brilliantly.
Author
Yep, now you know! Many have assumed I am given money or it’s Adam or it’s rich parents etc, but it’s not, it’s always my own doing.