Hello, my Fashion Frugalistas! The New York Times has this interesting article about luxury goods on discount. Saks Fifth Avenue and other stores are slashing prices on Marc Jacobs’ bags and other designer labels. For instance, a Valentino dress was marked down 70 percent. These items were once coveted;now, they are being avoided by consumers. It’s like all the cache of these brands is gone. The high-end stores are in "blue-light special" mode.
Now that designer goods are on sale, are you more likely to want to purchase them? Do you think that now that the luxury goods aren’t selling well, it’s not worth it to purchase them? Do you own any designer labels? Have you noticed any great sales? Is this a good thing that designers are being slayed?
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I just got a luxury bag for 40% off…the second one I’ve gotten this year at a deep discount. If it hadn’t been on sale, it wouldn’t have seen the inside of my closet, but since it now falls into my “frugal yet fab” price range, I’ll be carrying it.
You are killing me slow this week. *wink*
If I actually like the item, not because it is a desinger’s label but because I really adore the item then I would certainly buy it at a lower price. I do have designer labels but it always feels better to catch a sale. I really don’t like spending a crazy amount on an item but I don’t do it every day and it must be an item that I really like.
The lower prices may not be good for the desingers but it’s sure good for me…bring on the sales…lol
I just bought a cute Kenneth Cole leather wallet/clutch today for $4.99. But I got it at Goodwill. (My Goodwill purchased Kate Spade wallet was getting raggedy.)
I highly recommend people buy lots of cute designed goods and then donate them.
-Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
http://thenonconsumeradvocate.com
Unfortunate for me and my wallet is that I live in the sample sale capital of the world…New York City. But with the current economy the amount of sample sales and the markdowns have been ridiculous. Makes me wish I had more money so I could buy more.
Now that designer goods are on sale, are you more likely to want to purchase them? YES.
Do you think that now that the luxury goods aren’t selling well, it’s not worth it to purchase them? THEY ARE STILL WORTH IT TO PURCHASE BECAUSE THEY ARE BETTER QUALITY CLOTHES. A DONNA KARAN COLLECTION DRESS WILL LAST YOU A LIFETIME. AN EXPRESS DRESS MIGHT LAST YOU A SEASON OR TWO.
Do you own any designer labels? MARC JACOBS, DONNA KARAN, ROCK AND REPUBLIC…BUT TO BE HONEST I GOT THEM ALL AT THRIFT STORES, FILENE’S BASEMENT AND SAMPLE SALES.
Have you noticed any great sales? I GOT AN EMAIL LAST WEEK OF ABOUT 25 SAMPLE SALES GOING ON RIGHT NOW IN NYC. THE SALES ARE SOOOO GOOD I ALMOST WANT TO BREAK OPEN MY PIGGY BANK.
Is this a good thing that designers are being slayed? YES. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE SOME DESIGNER STUFF I STILL THINK THERE IS HUGE MARKUP. LIKE I HAVE A MARC JACOBS SHIRT THAT RETAILS FOR $325. UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES I WOULD HAVE NEVER, I REPEAT, NEVER BOUGHT THE SHIRT. BUT I GOT IT AT A SAMPLE SALE FOR $95 AND SUDDENLY IT WAS A BARGAIN. IT WAS STILL EXTREME IN THAT I DON’T NORMALLY SPEND THAT MUCH ON A SINGLE ITEM BUT GIVE THE QUALITY, THE NAME BRAND, THE REPUTATION, ETC…WORTH EVERY PENNY. IF EXPRESS MADE THAT SAME SHIRT IT MIGHT SURVIVE A FEW WASHES.
Terita: Give up the details! What kind of bag?
PJD: Good stuff!
Katy: HAHAHA! You’re so kind. *wink, wink*
Tiffany: I’m curious about these sample sales now. I’m missing out!
I’ve bought deeply discounted designer stuff online (I don’t care for real shopping) I just hate when a dress is 80% off and still costs $500.
We have to remember that not all designer/luxury goods are actually great quality. Some just have better marketing machines. For Valentino – heck yeah I’d buy at discount. I just bought a bottle of Valentino’s Rock and Rose perfume at Marshall’s. it smells so pretty. $33. Score!
By the way, I’ve written a long winded blog post on my blog referencing the LA times article you were quoted in. I’ll let you know when it is up.