If you’re like me, you may occasionally claim never to ever shop by brand… but you not-so-secretly love anything and everything that comes from the needle and thread of a few designers.  And if you’re like me, what you like even more… is paying discount prices for clothing from those top designers.  Hopefully many of you have discovered the online boutiques, sample sale sites, and clothing outlets like Gilt Groupe, RueLala, and HauteLook, that offer limited-time-only sales on great stuff.  If you don’t know about these sites and are not a member, email me here and I will send you an invitation to join (these sites are private and invite only).

Gilt Groupe

Some of the deals on these sites are insane.  John Varvatos suits, originally $1800 for under $600; womens Helmut Lang dresses 70% off for under $200; and that’s just at this moment.  These are great, but they are time sensitive.  I recently stumbled onto a site called Designer Outlet Boutique which is an online discount site specializing in womens apparel and accessories.  It’s ripe with top brands like Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Prada, Hermes, and many more… and they almost always have items from all of the designers listed. The prices are so stupid low that I can’t be sure all items are real – although the site expressly “guarantees you that all of our products are 100% authentic and brand new or your money back.”  Check it out for yourself and see what you think, because if they’re legit then some of the deals on this site are worth a look -  2009 Summer Sale.  I would tend to think the items are authentic, but I’ve never bought from them so can’t vouch – translation: if you get a wallet the says Prado, don’t come crying to me.