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No more staring through shop windows at designer clobber you can't afford. Online outlets are offering some of the most exclusive names at huge markdowns, says Huma Qureshi
Love clothes, but no money to shop? Join the club. Only now the days of gazing at clothes you'll never be able to afford are over. Sort of.
The exclusive and expensive designer clothes website Net-a-porter last week launched an outlet site, snappily called theOutnet, which promises up to 80% off some items and between 40% and 60% off the rest: "It's chic-onomics!" exclaims the homepage.
Diehard Net-a-porter fans may have noticed the permanent "sale" section was removed from its website earlier this year. That's because it's all been moved to theOutnet, so now you'll be able to stock up on the likes of Chloe and Marc by Marc Jacobs for even less. "There's no stigma attached to buying sale or past-season stock," says a spokeswoman for the new site.
TheOutnet is like a virtual TK Maxx, only with no messy rails and much, much nicer clothes. But where else can you shop for less in the secrecy of your own home?
Vente-privee
Vente-privee has been dressing fashionable French women for years, but only launched in the UK at the end of last year. The website sells end-of-season designer stock for men, women and children, and offers watches, homeware and sometimes branded electrical appliances. This month it was selling Cacharel dresses for around £25 compared with their usual £200 price tags.
In France, the site works like a private members' club – you can only join by referral from an existing member, which makes it all feel a bit exclusive. But since it's relatively new in the UK anyone can sign up and membership is free. The downside is that the customer service telephone number is currently an international one for which you will be charged should you ever need to call.
Once you're in you will be emailed invites to limited-time sales which last for a few days. Sales start at 6am online serious bargain hunters should log in early as stock vanishes within hours.
BrandAlley
BrandAlley calls itself "fashion's best kept secret" and offers around 80% off various brands such as Diesel and ******. There are also discounts on watches, sunglasses and luggage on sale. Like Vente-privee it offers limited-time sales, which you can access by registering as a member for free on the homepage. You will be emailed details of sale dates in advance.
In the most recent spring clearance sale, Diane von Furstenberg dresses were going for £95 – some were originally £390. Most of the popular sizes or best bargains can disappear quickly, so again get in quick if you want to save some pounds.
Dress-for-less
If you don't fancy shopping in limited-time sales or really can't be bothered to wake up at 6am to get that particular pair of shoes, try dress-for-less instead. Menswear, womenswear, childrenswear and accessories are offered at discounts of 70% – sign up for the newsletter and you'll get an extra £3 off your order. Brands include Pepe Jeans, Miss Sixty and Tommy Hilfiger – there are loads listed on the website, but it can take some sifting through to find something spectacular. If you have a fashion-conscious child, or a particular occasion they need dressing well for, you could save around 40% on smart kidswear.
Asos
You can always count on Asos for a bargain, and now its got a permanent outlet page you'll be able to get things for even less all the time. The outlet section tends to be last season or clearance stock, and there's usually plenty to choose from – at the moment there's more than 50% off printed T-shirts from Junk Food (£12 instead of £32) and up to £157 off some Sara Berman pieces.
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