The Secret To Buying Luxury Fashion at Affordable Prices

I still remember my first ever experience of wearing ‘designer’. It was for my year 6 school disco, I bought a top from the ‘designer’ section in Debenhams (it was definitely just some random early noughties brand they’d bought into rather than a legit Gucci top or anything – but this definitely constitutes as designer when you’re 10) and it was all so dramatic in pastel blue and inky navy, flared sleeves rivalling Britney’s in the closing scene of Crossroads, and it sparkled when I twirled about to Avril Lavigne. Everyone asked me where I got it from, as I proudly (aka, smugly, for a pre-teen) told everyone it was DESIGNER!!! The thing was, it didn’t matter if it was just some random brand or if it was off-the-runway couture, it made me feel special. And it’s a sentiment that still, to this day, can feel so real. 

You can’t deny the ripple of excitement you feel when you put on something that’s considered a luxury. It’s utterly indulgent – that’s why it makes it feel so unapologetically great sometimes. But the reality of it is that no matter what Instagram suggests to you, with every other photo being one of an It Girl adorned with her It Bag(s), luxury and designer isn’t always accessible to everyone. Even me, for example – I can’t afford designer everything. My first designer bag was purchased with duty-free discount after I saved from my 6 day a week, 12 hours a day summer waitressing job. Many of my other (few) designer purchases were all heavily discounted from when I worked for a luxury department store. 

So how do I afford to pepper my wardrobe with a few luxe items now? Because trust me, I’m not made of cash!

It’s time to let you in on the secret. Or, the BestSecret would possibly be more apt…. 

 

What is BestSecret? 

It really is a case of BestSecret by name, BestSecret by nature. This website is Europe’s most exclusive invite-only, online shopping communities that offers its members access to over 3000 of the world’s best designers and labels. Unlike other similar sites that do flash sales, items are ready-to-ship when you place the order (with delivery in 1-3 days) from their state of the art warehouse in Munich. 

What Can I Expect To Find on BestSecret? 

With around 30,000 products on site, you can expect to see the likes of Chloe, D&G, Fendi, Balenciaga, Valentino – to name just a select few of my high-end favourites! Honestly, I’ve worked in the online department for one of the UK’s biggest luxury department stores, and seeing some of my favourite designers and pieces come up on BestSecret gave me those year 6 Sophie at a School Disco butterflies all over again. 

They also have high street brands like Vero Moda and Kurt Keiger, and cult denim brands such as 7 For All Mankind. Plus, many of the pieces come from current collections! With 500 new pieces added every night at midnight, you need to join to see what you can find.

What Savings Can I Expect To Make?

With pieces discounted up to 80%, there are so many steals to be made. 

How do I join?

Like I said, BestSecret is invite-online. But don’t you worry: I finally get to feel like the cool girl in school handing out super exclusive invites to her party because you can click here to join using my special invitation for Fashion Slave readers. 

My whole look was purchased from BestSecret. Opting for perfect summer vibes, I picked a breezy blue QED London dress (-39% from £45 to £26.90), ice white Kurt Geiger boots (-31% from £185 to £128), and the dreamiest embroidered denim Guess bag – plus, see what incredible sunglasses I got my hands on in this video too! The bag has to be my summer hero piece. I’ve long chatted of my love for embroidered pieces on Fashion Slave – if you’re a regular reader, you’ll know this all too well! So to find that on Guess’ iconic denim, in the shape of a gorgeous handbag felt like such an absolute find!