Skip to Content

How to Shop Gilt

A fashionista gets excited about the small things when she’s shopping– the gilded lettering above the front door of a designer boutique, that first to-die-for ensemble featured in the window, the way that the sales associates somehow managed to group things together so that you find exactly what you’re looking for within seconds (but not without first finding something you never knew you needed).

Ah, yes, these are the serendipity moments of shopping that one often misses when shopping online — unless you’re shopping at Gilt.

This post may contain affiliate links*
Woman smiles as she shops online at Gilt.
Source: Envato.

From the moment you first see that black and gold homepage, you feel like you’re in a designer boutique. The only difference: everything’s on sale. But before you get carried away by the gilt and glitter, there are a few things you should know.

Must-know tips for shopping Gilt

1. You have to log in

Gilt is like a not-so-secret club that leaves its door open so you can peek inside. You can get a sense of what the shop holds, but you can’t really browse specifics until you log in.

Save this

Enter your email below and I'll email this post to you!

Fortunately, logging in is simple. Provide your email address and a password. You might also have to choose whether you’re more interested in women’s wear or men’s.

As of this writing, you will get a 10% off coupon for signing up as a member.

2. Don’t limit yourself to clothes

Chances are, you joined Gilt in hopes of finding a pair of Louboutins for $100. After all, the site promises up to 70% off designer goods. But not everything on the site is for wearing.

You’d be missing out if you didn’t peruse the other categories available, including home goods, electronics, and even travel.

3. Keep your eye on the prize

Remember, you’re a budget fashionista, so you shouldn’t just go throwing everything that slightly interests you into your cart. If it’s really a DVF wrap dress or a Proenza Schouler satchel you want, wait it out.

Gilt tells you what to expect in upcoming sales, and also lets you know how long you have left to snag a certain item. So you’re never playing with chance. That said, be patient and wait for the perfect piece to come along.

4. Use the must-have list

Back to the DVF wrap dress…if there is something you will absolutely buy as soon as it’s available at Gilt, use the Must Have It list to get it.

Here’s how it works. You’re browsing and you see that DVF dress, but it’s not available in your size. Tap Must Have It on the product page. Gilt will try to get it for you and charge you when the piece is on its way.

You can see your Must Have It items by tapping Account and then Must Have It.

5. Be ready for a tease

As noted, there will be occasions when you’ll find the perfect piece and then see that it’s out of stock in your size. Or, worse, not in stock in any size.

This is part of deal with Gilt unfortunately. If you’re committed to buying that item, try the Must Have It feature as recommended above.

6. Know it’s the real deal

Yes, that Marni bag is 50% off, but it’s still $999 (ouch). At times like this, it’s good to know that you can at least count on Gilt’s guarantee of authenticity. An authorized retailer of every brand it sells, Gilt swears that every item is the label it promises to be.

7. Watch for final sale

A good many of Gilt’s products are labeled final sale — which means no returns. Don’t buy those unless you’re certain you want them. Worst case, you’ll be listing that pair of swanky shoes on Poshmark to recoup part of your investment.

8. Know the returns rules

All returns are done by mail and the return window ends 30 days from the day you received your order. The only exception is during the holidays when Gilt implements an extended return policy. In 2023, anything you buy between October 17 and December 15 can be returned through January 15, 2024.

Gilt pays the return shipping if you specify that you’ll accept store credit. If you want a refund, you’ll pay an $11.99 return fee.

As noted, you cannot return items marked as final sale.

9. Shop the under $50 clearance

I saved the best tip for last. Gilt has an “under $50 clearance” page that’s rife with affordable deals. Shop there first just in case the thing you need happens to be waiting for you. Some, but not all of these are final sale items.

10. Work the free shipping

Gilt sometimes has an interesting free shipping offer where buying something today gives you free shipping for 30 days. Keep your eyes peeled for that one, in case you might “need” two designer pieces in the same month.

Brenda Momperousse

Thursday 30th of June 2011

totally love the Gilt Groupe!!

Comments are closed.