Guilt-Free Gilt
One of my favorite designer discount sites is www.gilt.com. They offer discounted designer merchandise and it's like shopping at a sample sale, except with a fairly wide selection of sizes. Every day at 12 noon, I poise my browser on the site and ready my finger to hit the enter key when the clock strikes so I can grab the best bargains. It brings out fashion animal-ista in me. Exciting stuff. Zac Posen, Alexander McQueen, Chloe, Helmut Lang, Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang, Tory Burch and Gucci, all at discounted prices.
This site is not for the meek and indecisive, like one of my best friends who can agonize for an hour over which cotton placemat to buy. On Gilt.com, if you do not immediately grab your desired item, place it in your shopping cart and buy it, it will disappear before your eyes. I once found an amazingly well priced Marc Jacobs top ($80 compared to retail of $400), and quickly placed it in my shopping bag. Then I got greedy and didn't check out right away and tried to surf the site for more stuff before I missed out. Then, when I went to check out, my purchases had all evaporated (poof!) into another more determined shopper's closet. I had been flounced and trounced.
You also must have nerves of steel to buy under because this stuff ain't cheap. Steel and diamond watches by Chopard or diamond and silver earrings by David Yurman are up for grabs, but many of the designer lots are final sales, so, if you hesitate to drop a wad of cash, you will get scooped. Or if you buy and regret it, there are no returns, just the occasional store credit. There are some great deals, but much of the stuff is pretty pricey. This week, a Fendi Straw Fringe Spy bag, which retails for $4970 went on sale this week for $1498. Cash whip lash!
However, there is good news for those who want to partake in more sanely price offerings. Next month, a sister site called " Gilt Fuse" will be unveiled. It will be like a Barney's Co-op where less expensive items reign. Here, you'll find offerings from Laundry, Diesel, C & C and Generra, from $75 to $150 dollars.
BTW, you can only log on to Gilt.com if you have a friend recommend you. If you want to check it out, send us your email address at snapglowFUN@gmail.com and we'll enter your address for you so you can get access. No harm in looking! Also, if you want to get the latest SnapGlow.TV updates, sign up for your FREE bi-weekly email in the column just to the right of this blog.