Designer Shopping at Discount Prices

Experts say consumers are increasingly designer savvy, and the word masstige has been coined to describe the trend of prestige for the masses. And then there’s the unhappy economy, which is also fueling the demand for good deals. Designer discounters are where it’s at, online and in-store. One of the best trends: Discount retailer Loehmann’s offers free personal shoppers at many of their stores, something I never expected at a place with group dressing rooms. Thanks to the store’s personal shopper, Victoria Nielsen (left), I struck gold at Loehmann’s. My total savings: $9,932.

After a few advance questions from Victoria (could I describe my style, my wish list of buys?), I arrived at the store to find a rack of clothes she’d pulled on my behalf. Genius! I fell in love with the beaded beauty I was holding (see Slide 1), but it didn’t fit. Victoria consoled me with this metallic floral Carolina Herrera. What I paid: $462 instead of $1,990.Where does the stuff come from? Stores such as Loehmann’s, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls have two main sources: overages (when the designer produces too much), and clothes that stores ordered but returned when they didn’t sell.

Victoria even took into account my own, um, body issues (big shoulders and a narrow waist). How’d I do? Victoria totally came through. This Dolce & Gabbana dress fits me perfectly; it’s roomy enough for my big shoulders, but slim on the bottom. I’d have missed it, but Victoria expertly snagged it. What I paid: $163 instead of $1,200.

The downside: Like any discounter, Loehmann’s offers limited sizes and colors, and sometimes you’ll contend with a missing button or two. This Jean Paul Gaultier stunner was missing the belt, but that earned me an extra 10 percent off — and I found the perfect belt in my closet. What I paid: $316 instead of $1,975.

Also filling out the racks: discounters’ own lines (called private label). All of it is new — or relatively so. The day I shopped Loehmann’s, a shipment of Oscar de la Renta gowns arrived, brand spanking new. Made me wish I had an event to attend; at the prices Loehmann’s was selling them for ($2,200 down to $399), I felt like throwing a party myself. With great merchandise and top service, these stores are on to something. Industry experts agree that the discount train will roar on.

The biggest explosion in designer deals is online. Gilt.com offers sales from designers like Michael Kors and Valentino (best accessories I found, hands down). It’s free but invitation-only: A current member has to refer you, but MORE readers can go to to sign up. I fell in love with this Rachel Roy coat, reduced from $1,902 to $207.

I pondered but passed on this Anthony Nak necklace on , down from $4,050 to $1,978.

I’ve also become addicted to ideeli.com — where I found this Oscar de la Renta bag. Main membership (2nd Row Membership) is free and is by invitation only (you need an invite code to join — MORE readers can join with the code “moremag”). They also have a 1st Row Membership available for $83.88 a year which provides enhanced access to ideeli sales — shop an hour earlier than 2nd Row members for all sales, have access to sales not available to 2nd Row members, and enter giveaways via mobile phone. Discounts are 50 to 75 percent off retail.

Another discount find from ideeli.com — this great pair of metallic Christian Lacroix pumps.

Bluefly.com gives you a similar service to ideeli’s for no fee, and users can search by designer (though we can’t name any here). These shoes were reduced from $725 to $580.

Here, another smart snag from Bluefly: This bag was marked down from $1,155 to $924. Shopping online, do I ever miss the tactile experience you get in-store? Yes, but I admit my heart races every time my iPhone buzzes with a shopping alert.

Originally published in MORE magazine, February 2009.