Time and money.
Two words associated more closely with a collegiette’s busy and costly academic life than with a platinum Rolex. The last thing you probably want to do is spend hours at the mall with the little money you have, while class notes wait for you at home.
Wouldn’t it be nice if your apartment complex had a mall, or if money grew on trees? While either is not likely to happen, there are a plethora of online bargain stores where you could catch a steal on the latest Louis Vuitton handbags – yes, Louis Vuitton – or Juicy Couture earrings. Or maybe that little black dress for a date night with your boyfriend.
Whatever your preferences, you’ll find what you’re craving on the following four websites. No need to rush to the mall before it gets too crowded, and no need to shop till you drop. After all, who says fashionista and bargain hunter can’t go hand in hand?
Bag, Borrow or Steal
Rent designer handbags and designer accessories as a member or a guest. Members can borrow the items for a lower price than guests and borrow more than one item at a time. Think of yourself as VIP with a Dolce and Gabbana handbag awaiting your desperate clutch. Plus, there’s never a late fee, so you can keep your designer item for as long as you desire.
Once you’ve used the item to your liking, just return it and get another item…or two. If you really like what you borrowed, then you can purchase it. In Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw’s assistant, Louise from St. Louis, says she borrows designer handbags from Bag Borrow or Steal to make a statement in the U.S. fashion capital. You too can make a statement by looking like a star.
Bluefly
Alexander McQueen. Badgley Mischka. Michael Kors. Vera Wang. Versace. Need I say more? Every item comes with a discount attached to the price tag. That little black dress you wear to Saturday’s dinner date will have your boyfriend drooling over his steak. An LBD by BCBGeneration will only cost you $77.39, which is better than the retail value of $138.
Bluefly also carries women’s clothing, handbags, accessories, shoes and fragrances. This is the place to shop at if you want to look like a million bucks for about $100.
The founders behind this website have been acknowledged as one of America’s coolest entrepreneurs under the age of 30. This can mean only one thing – the clothes and prices have to be just as fabulous as the founders. ModCloth sells vintage and retro-inspired clothing. You can find party dresses as low as $27 or tops for $12.
ModCloth also offers home décor and home accessories. If you’re looking to adorn the white walls in your apartment, this is the place for you. From cuckoo clocks to string lights, your apartment can start looking more like a home than a jail cell. Check out ModCloth’s fashion blog for style tips and inspirations. Trendsetter, anyone?
ShoeDazzle
Take a style quiz that will ask you what shoes you see yourself wearing and which celebrity’s closet you’d like to raid. After you finish, a style profile is created based on your answers. The style profile consists of shoes, handbags and jewelry chosen by the fashion experts, including Kim Kardashian.
Each month, the fashion experts recommend five items, and you get to choose which item you want to buy. Your personalized selection and item of choice are only $39.95 a month, so there is no variance in price between those leopard pumps or tan wedges. Shoes are definitely a girl’s second best friend, so don’t miss out on the steals and deals ShoeDazzle offers.