Famous Maker Brands on a Budget

December 3, 2008 05:00 PM | Comments (0) | Posted in bluefly.com, smartbargains.com, nicole miller, designer brands, famous maker brands

Dear Budget Fashionista,

I was perusing on Smartbargains and noticed that all of the “Famous Maker” and “Famous Designer” brand dresses are not only the same styles as Nicole Miller’s, but the same fabrics and original retail prices. Is “Famous Maker/Designer” code for Nicole Miller, or is this just a coincidence?

 

Answer: Stores like Smartbargains and Overstock.com (and Offline stores like Marshalls and TJ Maxx) have agreements with designers to not publicize that they are carrying their items cause the item may be available in other stores (as illustrated by the above photos: the Nicole Miller dress on the left is $252 at Bluefly, but is $199 at Smartbargains) for a MUCH higher price. So they use the term “famous maker” or famous designer, to mask the name of the designer. One way to find out who the designer is (and how much you’re saving) is to type in the barcode number into google search or if you recognize the style of the designer, type in the “designer’s name + color + style”.

Street Fashion 101: Designer Vs. Department Store

September 29, 2007 10:02 AM | Comments (2) | Posted in department store, designer brands, street fashion

The Look: Here, a pair of models exiting the Marc Jacobs show in NYC sporting very different, but equally interesting, styles. On the left, all designer: dress by Alice Ritter, Miu Miu bag. On the right: an American Apparel tee, Old Navy skirt, and Converse sneaks, with belt, scarf and tights, all from H&M.

For the Style File: While designer pieces are always striking, the non-designer ensemble looks great for everyday, too. We love that the model on the right got her basic pieces (tee, skirt, shoes) from super-affordable retailers, and added a little kick with fun, colorful accessories. And when you go budget on the basics, you just might be able to save up for that occasional special piece (on sale, of couse). Like that to-die-for Miu Miu hangbag, perhaps.

For more street-style inspiration, visit StreetPeeper.com

~Angela

Fashion Advice: Best Places to Shop in New York

June 10, 2007 10:54 AM | Comments (1) | Posted in fashion advice, consignment shop, designer brands, discount shops, New York City shops, new york city shops

Dear Budget Fashionista,

I have an addiction to certain high-priced labels (Marc Jacobs, Prada, Marni) but i can’t shell out full price. As a New Yorker, I know about century 21, sample sales, and Woodbury Commons, but is there some warehouse where these labels are drastically reduced?

Well… I head to thrift and consignment shops (Salvation Army, Michael’s on the upper Eastside, Ina’s, Fisch for the Hip on 18th between 6th and 7th ave,etc) and to stores like Gabay’s (14th and 1st) and Aaron’s in Brooklyn that very few shoppers know about. Also there’s this store right in the middle of the block on like 36th btw 7th and 8th, that is right next to the clothingline sample sale place (which is another great place to shop, bought a My Flat in London bag for $50) that can be hit or miss, but when it hits…..

There used to be more places, but designers have really started to crack down on the liquidation of their overstock (ie Prada’s outlet at Woodbury recently closed) in an effort to better “control” their brands.

Online try sites like Overstock and Smart Bargains, which sell real designer items at a discount. Gotham City Online is a great place to find discounted designer shoes (Marc Jacobs flats, $160 down from $385) . You have to be VERY careful with online sites because some are not legit and sell designer knock-offs . . .

Does Your Thirteen Year Old Need a Louis Vuitton Purse?

February 24, 2007 10:01 AM | Comments (29) | Posted in designer brands, teens

Does thirteen years need a Louis Vuitton Purse?

The Wall Street Journal recently posted an interesting article on the targeting of teens for luxury items like designer bags, cars, etc.  WSJ states:

Driving the shift is a generation of young people often called the teenage “millennials”—the adolescents and young adults born in the late 1980s to mid-90s. Of course there have always been teens who were focused on the “right” designer names, and marketers striving to sway them. (Remember Brooke Shields in her Calvins?) But apparel makers and retailers say the affluent millennials are particularly notable for their brand consciousness. Surrounded by brand references from Web sites, rap music, movies, magazines and MTV—and showered with the best of everything by their baby boomer parents—these young consumers have grown up knowing the difference between Prada and Ralph Lauren from an early age.

I agree that teens wanting designer labels isn’t anything new- I remember begging for a pair of Gibraud jeans and working my butt off for a Ralph Lauren Polo button down shirt.  But… I’m concerned about the apparent entitlement that many teens feel to have these items and the apparent lack of a back bone by parents to say no. It’s the job of teenagers to push and it’s the job of parents to set boundaries. However, when it comes to designer goods, it seems like parents just can’t say no anymore. For example, one guy in the article even stated ““If they keep their grades up, it is hard to say no,”.  I was a straight A student, got a full academic scholarship to a great school, and my parents had absolutely no problem saying no. In fact, I think they secretly plotted new and creative ways to say “no” to my irrational, teenage requests.

Discuss this and other topics on the Fashion Forum

I mean, why does your 13 year old (or a 20, or 30, or 40)  HAVE to have a $300 handbag or a BMW before they even learn what a responsibility it is to drive? Plus, always rewarding good behavior with an extravagant gift probably doesn’t teach a very good lesson to your teen- there’s times of life that you do good things and you receive no instant reward other than the fact you did good- which apparently just doesn’t compare to a new Dooney Burke Bag. Or going out for a big dinner with your entire family when you got a good grade?

Anyone who’s ever watched MTV’s sweet sixteen knows exactly what I’m talking about- $50,000 party and new jaguar for a spoiled 16 year old? Pleeaseeee… What do they have to look forward to when they graduate from college? A small town and a Rolls Royce? I mean everything else in their lives will be down hill in comparison.

Designer items ARE NOT A HUMAN RIGHT.. They are nice and I love a good bag as much as the next person… but I also have a job.