Dress for Less: How to be an Online Shopping Pro

I’ve never had the desire to disclose anything as personal as my financial situation on this blog, but I realized recently that I may have a sort of responsibility to. I will be the first to admit that although I love my job, I do not receive an A-Lister salary. And so I’ve had to learn how to shop for the brands I love creatively, very rarely buying items at full price. It takes patience, but it can easily be done, so here are my tips for finding some of my most coveted brands for less. Take them as you will!

Sample Sale Websites
GILT was the pioneer in online sample sales, and Rue La La isn’t far behind. Lilly Pulitzer tends to pop up on Rue at least once or twice a month, if not as its own boutique then in specialty ones. I’ve also found Jack Rogers, Vineyard Vines, and Tory Burch on Rue La La, and I often find Kate Spade on GILT. You need invite codes to join, so here ya go— click below!
GILT
Rue La La
(psst! Lilly Pulitzer Gifts from Lifeguard Press are on Rue today starting at 11am EST!)

Resale Facebook Groups
It may sound funny (ok, sketchy), but these online trade markets are really no different from eBay (BuyItNow that is, not the bidding portion!). Individuals list their [new or gently used] items with a moderator who posts photos/price/seller contact info, and exchanges often occur through PayPal. Some I’ve used:
Re-Lilly
Perfectly Preppy Resale
Prep Obsessed
Effortless Anthropologie Trade Market
J.Crew & Madewell – Buy, Sell, and Trade

Thrift/Consignment Stores
Luck and timing are always major factors in thrift shopping, and there’s no way around that. But when you succeed, it feels oh so good. For tips on thrifting in general, check out Megan’s post, which has been immensely helpful to me. If you’re in the Boston or NYC area, be sure to visit some Second Time Around storefronts (additional locations here). I’ve seen everything from Banana Republic and Vineyard Vines to Longchamp and Kate Spade. They are also constantly running sales and promos, so be sure to sign up for their emails.

Personal Online Shoppers
Shop It To Me is one of my best + worst discoveries: daily email alerts about sales on specific products in your size from brands you love. Example:: I fill out my profile with interests in J.Crew, Free People, Lilly Pulitzer, and Urban Outfitters, noting I’m interested in any women’s clothing//accessories//shoes, and my sizes. Result:: A daily digest full of items I might be interested in that have recently gone on sale— like this Free People dress half off on ShopBop.com.
Beso is newer, but works similarly. Create your style profile with your favorite brands and stores, and receive “My Sale Rack” emails as often as you’d like— once a week, just weekends, every day, up to you! There’s also a big social part of this program as well.

6PM
I don’t know what it is about this site, but 6pm.com consistently puts brands (ahemLillyPulitzer) on sale long before anyone else does. I’ll take these jeans please!

Retail Me Not
Never have I ever made a purchase online without checking first to see if someone has listed a coupon code that I may have missed on Retail Me Not. This girl very rarely pays for shipping. Fact.

End-of-Season Sales
Watch out for these guys, they have the capability to trump Black Friday sales. Jack Wills and Vineyard Vines (promo code:: SUMMER40) are running theirs now, and Lilly Pulitzer‘s will be in August. Anthropologie’s annual Tag Sale just ended, but they still have hundreds of fresh cuts. Kate Spade is also known to have numerous Friends & Family or Surprise Sales each season— never have I ever purchased a Kate Spade product full price thanks to these!

Email Alerts
These can be both a blessing and a curse, as sometimes it is just too hard to resist one of those 50% OFF EVERYTHING + FREE SHIPPING emails, even though I need to shop like I need a hole in the head. BUT they can be extremely helpful if you’re willing to hold out for something specific. Example A:: a pair of J.Crew shorts that I doubted I could live without popped up a few months ago, but no way was I paying $60 for them, so I promised myself I’d hold out. Sure enough, a few weeks later, J.Crew ran 40%-off-all-shorts-for-one-day-only promo, so I snatched them up. Proud moment.

That was more-than-likely the most text-heavy post you’re ever going to get from me! More tips? Let me know! Questions about specific sites or brands? I’m all ears!