3 Tips to Owning Luxury Designer Without Breaking the Bank.
Photo by Ba Phi | @baphi.9x
The other day we posed a question on our IG stories on what brands come to mind when people think of luxury fashion. As you may have guessed the usual players came up LV, Chanel, Gucci, Hermes, etc, and not surprisingly no Canadian brands were on the list but that’s a conversation for another day.
What stood out, was an additional comment by a follower of “what I can’t afford” which of course prompted a DM from us on how to own more luxury designer items without the designer budget. Since we can’t possibly DM everyone who is curious, here are three #DSMStyleTips to add more designer pieces to your closet without breaking the bank.
Learn the basics of shopping pre-loved
Just because an item does not come directly from the designer’s store or website doesn’t make it any less lux. Our stance is, great designer pieces are a celebration of craftsmxnship and therefore should be timeless. It is unrealistic to splurge on every new release from a designer brand so the sustainable thing to do is embrace preowned designer items and learn the basics of shopping preloved before you dive in.
Follow local designer consignment accounts to keep up with new drops.
Now that you understand the basics of shopping pre-loved, how do you know where to shop? Would this be a DSM blog if it didn’t tell you to shop local? Searching local consignment hashtags like #TorontoConsignment will introduce you to consignment stores in your area. It goes without saying that you should read reviews and check their authentication policies but basically it’s that easy. Another reason we recommend using social media is consignment stores typically have a minimal quantity of specific items, following their social media activity will inform you of what new things they have in stock as well as any upcoming sales. Can you imagine a discount on an already discounted item plus being a conscious fashion consumer, winning!
Ditch the haul mentality
If you have worked with us, you know how we feel about quantity buying especially if it’s just for the sake of owning stuff. Not only is this wasteful, it will not help you develop your style sense. Since we are on the conversation of luxury items, it's no secret they come with a high price tag so this is about being intentional. Just because you can afford it, doesn’t mean you have to have it. Not only will this mean less money wasted, but it also forces you to be thoughtful about your purchases and how an item fits into your overall wardrobe goals. This advice stands true for whether you can afford luxury items or not.
Get expert help, hire a DSM stylist
Aside from spending money wisely, it is smart to spend your time wisely too. The perfect sweet spot is where those two savings meet and that’s where you find a DSM stylist. We know the tips to shop pre-loved, we know where to get authentic designer pieces, we are invested in curating your unique style that highlights your personality for your lifestyle and we are not interested in wasting money especially yours.