Saving / shopping in London

For some reason, it's always stuck in my memory that a friend of mine, Grace, once told me that if I lived in New York, I would be able to buy amazing clothes for really cheap. This was years and years ago, when she WAS living in NY and I totally envied her access to the most amazing sample sales, flash sale sites (Gilt didn't ship to Canada back then), blah blah blah. I think I might have also just returned from a trip there, where I spent about $600 at the Barneys warehouse sale (the best sale in the world, I think) and got about eight things. Unheard of.

I bought these D&G shoes at a Barneys warehouse sale years ago.

Anyway, I have learned that this is also the case in London. No big surprise there.

Months of living extremely frugally, without a regular paycheque, means I've completely gone off the deep end again I've done a lot of research and am amazed at how easy it is to find designer stuff on sale here. It all makes the high street stores slightly unappealing... although I'm still not immune to the power of Topshop, Zara and H&M—especially since they all have e-commerce here in London and I can scratch my fast-fashion itch without having to brave Oxford Circus.

I am currently coveting this top from Zara.

Anyway, here are my favourites (perhaps in time for any of the fashion pack who will be in town this weekend for the circus that is London Fashion Week):

Browns Labels for Less: I mentioned this location before—it's the store I literally stumbled into by accident when I meant to go to the Vidal Sassoon salon in Mayfair. The store is small, but fairly well organised. 

Recent finds include a preppy Carven mini-cardigan and a Balenciaga patterned basic tank.

Photo: a random blog

Joseph clearance shop: This is another tiny boutique in the lovely, posh Chelsea neighbourhood. Again, I stumbled upon it—and Elliot, thinking it would have men's, followed me in blindly and regretted it not 30 seconds later—when we were out for a walk last Sunday. 

Recent finds included an amazing pair of blue suede wedge booties by Pierre Hardy, on sale for £56. Regular price = £550. In case you're not very good at math ("maths", as they say here in the UK, which is, I suppose, more correct), that is basically 90% off. Alas, they weren't in my size.

Photo: random Local Data Search site

The Outnet: This is obviously a no-brainer. What's even better about The Outnet here in the UK is that there is zero chance of being charged import taxes or duty, and items literally arrive within two days. No border waits here. 

I currently have this Rag & Bone skirt in my shopping bag. 

Photo: The Outnet

A year ago, the cheeky chaps behind the label, David Neville and Marcus Wainwright, went to Vancouver and I interviewed them at Holt Renfrew, then went to a celebratory event that night, got drunk, and very nearly paid lots of money for the matching zip-up cardigan.

Lastly, there is Bicester Village. For North Americans, this place is just like Woodbury Common (outside NYC) or Seattle Premium Outlets—except 1000x better. A glance at the store listing for women's clothing brands will confirm as much.

Photo of Bicester Village: it even looks like a little village!

Of course, there are also the sample sales. The London Designer Sale is coming up on February 24, Rainbow Wave does an amazing sample sale (coming up in May, I believe), and Daily Candy's London edition has a monthly listing of sample sales. 

Lastly (for real this time), I'm pleased to "announce" that I am currently working for the company that owns Bicester Village and its eight sister villages, which are dotted around Europe just outside cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, and Frankfurt. I am Acting Editor of the magazine, which will relaunch in April. 

So, there's my update! It's so exciting! I'm having so much fun! Yay!