How To Get Designer Dresses For Less

Many of us often ask ourselves ‘How can you get designer dresses for less?’

The royal wedding and watching all of the guests arrive may have given you a desire for some new designer clothes even if you are lacking in budget. Whilst the celebrities and very rich like to pay top prices for their designer clothes, the rest of us can get beautiful designer dresses for less with just a little extra effort. Finding great designer dresses for less is all about knowing what you want but also being a little creative. You can often  find last seasons clothing at a fraction of its original price but the real knack of making it work is knowing which pieces will fit well with the current seasons trends or picking out the pieces that are classic and never go out of fashion for example beautiful BCBG Max Azria dresses.

Online Designer Outlets

The most famous of the designer online designer outlets is TheOutnet. The retailer which is owned by the most successful online designer retailer, Net A Porter. You will find a huge selection of designer pieces from Armani dresses to Dolce and Gabbana wedding dresses. They also have flash sales which are time limited sales with even bigger discounts. The Outlet is a great place to shop for cocktail dresses UK as they have so many luxurious and elegant dresses.

End of Season Sales

Alice Temperley Floral Jude Dress – My Wardrobe

The end of season sales seem to start earlier and earlier each year and last longer and longer. Many online retailers now have year round sales when you can purchase clothes from the previous season at  a heavily discounted price. Check out Selfridges and My Wardrobe for the best of the online designer sales.

Designer High Street Collaborations

Black Mesh Insert Dress – Jonathan Saunders at Debenhams

If you are lucky enough to have your favourite designer participate in a high street collaboration then this is the perfect way to get one of their designer dresses for less. There have been lots of high profile collaborations which usually sell out really quickly so you need to be on the ball if you want to guarantee getting your dream designer dress. Debenhams have some of the most established designer collaborations which run continuously giving everyone the chance to get a piece of the action. Debenhams is definitely the most cost effect place to buy Henry Holland dresses, Matthew Williamson Dresses and many more. Quite recently they have also launched their Edition range which feature some of the hottest designers of the moment and at the moment includes Preen, Jonathan Saunders and Jonathan Kelsey.

If you are looking for a beautiful cocktail dress in the UK or even a Dolce and Gabbana wedding dress, a designer dress for less is the perfect way to get something really special without breaking the bank. By sticking to the really well known designers perhaps BCBG Max Azria dresses, you can be sure to look really stylish in it for many years to come but you can also try out slightly newer designers or more experimental pieces if you want to really make a statement.

Summer Dress Styles – Designer Looks At High Street Prices

Are you on the look out for some fabulous summer dress styles for the fine weather ahead? As inspiration you may also gaze at the dress styles in the glossy magazines and wish that you could afford a beautiful designer dress? With the catwalk shows for all of the main fashion weeks now  being streamed live on the internet as they happen, we are all able to get a look at what the designers have to offer but it can be really disappointing to find a piece that you really love only to discover that it is way out of your price range.

Ladies designer clothing prices will vary according to the designer and where you buy it from but you are usually likely to pay significantly more than you would of shopping on the high street or with your average online fashion retailer. But wearing designer wear is a great way to get a really fashion forward look that will set you apart from the crowd. Ladies designer wear can sometimes also be better made than its high street equivalent (although this is not always the case) and often has a more flattering cut. There are plenty of ways that you can find great summer dress styles that make the most of the designer wear trends but don’t cost nearly as much.

Shop Last Seasons Designer Wear

The Outnet is a great place to shop for last seasons designer wear at much reduced prices. If you look carefully you will be able to find plenty of last years dress styles that fit with this years designer trends. White, floral prints and bright colours are all good looks from last year that will also work for summer 2011.

This silk georgette camisole top by Tibi is perfect for SS11 with its bright pattern. It is reduced to just 50% of its original price which makes it ideal for a designer summer outfit on a budget.

Pure and simple white dress styles will be big news this summer and this white cotton shirt dress by Malene Birger fits the bill perfectly. Team with tan leather accessories to work that laidback cool that is so characteristic of the Scandinavian designers.  

Designer High Street Collaborations

One of the easiest ways to get ladies designer dresses by your favourite designer at high street prices is to opt for a designer high street collaboration. There are now so many to choose from, some only running for a limited amount of time. Debenhams have a great range of designer collections and have just launched their new Editions range which features pieces by Preen and Jonathan Saunders at the moment.

This grey snake print drop waist dress is from the Preen collection at Debenhams is a great piece of  designer wear that combines the labels signature style with a very affordable price.

High Street Equivalents

If you see designer style that you really love, you may well something very similar on the high street for a fraction of the price.

This botanical print shift dress by Oasis bears more than a passing resemblance to a dress in the Dries Van Noten spring summer 2011 collection.

This cream floral print shell top has a very similar pattern to the designer dresses at the Erdem spring summer 2011 collection.

How To Get The Best Designer Dresses On Sale

Once Christmas is done and dusted, there will be only one thing on any serious fashionistas mind and that is the sales. There is definitely an art to sales shopping. Those that plan and think carefully about it will end up with some amazing bargains including designer dresses on sale or maybe a beautiful handbag. Designer dresses and evening gowns on sale are particularly good buys because they are usually quite expensive items but also great investments that you are likely to hang onto for years to come. Just imagine how you will feel on New Years Eve in a dress that you have only paid a fraction of the real price for.

Only buy what you need

If you buy designer dresses on sale that you will never wear, they are not a bargain. You should only buy what you need and should have a good look through your wardrobe to beforehand to identify the gaps. Be aware of your danger zones! If you have a wardrobe full of shoes but can never resist buying a new pair steer well clear of the shoe department on sales day.

The early bird gets the worm

The best bargains will be snapped up straight away. Make sure that you know what date and time the sales start for your favourite stores. Have an early night the night before and get up early to make sure that you are there early. Each extra hour that you spend in bed in the morning could mean missing out on some of the most amazing designer dresses on sale, you can catch up with your sleep later.

Plan in advance

In order to stand the best chance of getting exactly what you want, you need to know exactly what that is. Write yourself a wish list in priority order and then set yourself a budget. You may not be able to get everything that you want on your list so have some second choices ready. You should also where possible try on items in advance. In the sales, shops, may not have changing rooms available and trying on can waste valuable time.

Shopping Online or Offline

There are advantages and disadvantages to shopping the sales both online and offline. For anyone who loves online dress shopping, the online sales may be your best option. You can shop from the comfort of your own home, cup of tea in hand. It is quicker and less exhausting than visiting the shops but can be equally as frustrating. There may be different items available in the online sales but you are also at the mercy of the website and your internet connection. Visiting the actual shops will work better for you if you know a particular shop and are familiar with the stock. It is also the best choice for those who like to see or feel the clothes before they buy and have sharp elbows.

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Rose New Drape Tunic - 50% off at My Wardrobe

Paul Smith Ruffle Shift Dress – 50% off at My Wardrobe

Sequin Dress by Biba – 50% off at House of Fraser

Jersey Maxi Dress By Biba – 25% off at House of Fraser

Why BCBG Dresses Are The Latest Must Have

Ask any fashionista in the know and they will tell you that one of the latest must have pieces of clothing are BCBG dresses. Dresses by the American label are literally flying off the rails at the moment with BCBG evening dresses being a big hit with celebrities for the red carpet. If you don’t already recognise the name BCBG it is the label  of much loved  Azria who has also been the designer for Herve Leger  since 2007. There has been a massive following of his cult designer dresses in the UK and around the globe. Celebrities including Kate Winslet, Victoria Beckham, Cheryl Cole and Sarah Michelle Gellar are all fans of the super body con bandage dress which hugs and sculpts the body to perfection. The BCBG dress is a stand alone piece which makes a huge style statement and requires little or nothing in the way of accessories.

The initials BCBG are from the French phrase  ’Bon chic, bon genre’ meaning ‘Good style, good attitude’. Whilst the designer Max Azria is French (born in Tunisia), his label has an American spirit about it which is cleverly combined with a European sophistication. The brand just goes from strength to strength with everyone wanting to have  BGBC Max Azria dresses. But what is it that is so special about the designer and the brand and why are BCBG dresses the latest must have?

The beauty of these dresses is that they are both practical and incredibly stylish, just what the modern women needs from her hard working wardrobe. The BCBG evening dresses combine opulence and luxury and most importantly are incredibly flattering. Of course, it always helps when a brand has a celebrity following, but the desirability of Max Azria goes well beyond the fact that he designs so many celebrity dresses. He has designed couture dresses for some of the biggest celebrity names to wear on the catwalk including Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and Catherine Zeta Jones.  Angela Jolie, Halle Berry, Sharon Stone and Alicia Keys have all also worn BGBG dresses for major events.

BCBG dresses are a real investment purchase, the sort of clothing that will always look amazingly stylish and will never go out of fashion. They are incredibly chic and yet unlike the dresses designed for Herve Leger, they are not just celebrity dresses, they are a price that normal women can afford. They are also fun and interesting to look at with ruffles and bandage styles being key features.

You can buy this Herve Leger foil dressat Selfridges for a mere snip at £1415. It is very much the signature style of the designer.

Or  you could opt for this BCBG MAXAZRIA tunic which is a real bargain in the My Wardrobe sale at only £59. Wear it every day with leggings or save it for the summer to slip over your bikini at the beach.

10 Ways To Get A Designer Dress On A Budget

We all love a designer dress, but sometimes our budget just won’t stretch to buying them at full price. There is good news though, buying designer dresses online offers plenty of opportunities to save money and still get yourself a very desirable dress by your favourite designer. WE’ve co,piled our top 10 tips for getting a designer dress on a budget.

1. Shop the sales - pretty obvious really but how often do you actually check out the sales pages on your favourite designer websites. Most online designer stores now how year round sales and it is also often possible to buy classic pieces that will not go out of fashion and pieces that work across the seasons. With a bit of planning you can also get yourself some great designer summer dresses in the end of summer sales. With the end of season sales, it is well worth getting up early to bag yourself the best bargains. You can find great designer sales at My Wardrobe,  Selfridges and House of Fraser.

2.Shop discount websites -Another great way to get yourself cheap designer dresses year round is by visiting sites like the Outnet.com which sell a wide range of designer pieces from previous seasons at a fraction of the cost. This is an especially good way of finding an elebaorate piece of designer evenng wear.

3. Hire It -Designer dress rental is big news at the moment. It not only allows you the chance to wear a designer piece at a fraction of the cost of buying it but also allows you a choice and the chance to wear something different each time you go out. There are plenty of places for designer dress hire in London but if you live outside a big city check out girlmeetsdress.com and mycelebritydress.com.

4. Sample Sales - For each collection most labels will produce a number of samples which are sold off at a discounted rate at the end of the season. These will often take place in cities like London but there are also some membership websites that give you access to exclusive designer sample sales online. The Outnet also runs regular sample sales, sign up with them to get reminders.

5. Buy it second hand -Some second hand designer clothes are almost as good as new. You can find them in all sorts of places from charity shops to online auction sites like Ebay. Dress agencies and classified ads are also a great place to find second hand designer dresses online.

6. Use discount codes - many online designer retailers have special offers from time to time. Waiting for a 10% off discount is a great way to get a designer piece at a better price. Free delivery also helps to reduce the cost a little. Sign up with Womens Dressesto receive the latest voucher codes.

7. Swap it - You are sure to have some clothes in your wardrobe that you no longer wear. You can make the most of your old clothes by swapping them for something else either at a clothes swap party or an online clothes swapping site. Check out www.swishing.org for clothes swap parties happening around the country or Covert Candy and Posh Swaps for online swapping.

8. Shop designer collections on the high street -whilst not quite the real thing designer collections or collaborations are a great way of getting a piece by your favourite designer without the expensive price tag. The latest must have collections is  Lanvin for H & M   but Debenhams have a continuous range of designer collaborations which include H! by Henry Holland, Principles by Ben De Lisi and Butterfly by Matthew Williamson, Plus up until 21st Nove 2010, Debenhams have up to 25% off across the whole store

9. Save up for it – If there is a particular designer dress that you want and you can’t afford it sometimes the only choice is to save for it. Think about areas of your life where you could spend less money and find some where safe to stash your cash. It might seem like a long time to wait but it will be worth it in the end and you will appreciate that dress all the more for it.

10. Win it -there are various places that you can win a designer dress. Check out your favourite places for buying designer dresses online as most will regularly run competitions to win vouchers or money to spend on clothes. You can also register with sites like Loquax and Prizefinder to keep you upto date on any competitions running.

Image – One shoulder ruffle dress by DKNY at My Wardrobe