For those in the know, investing in luxury fashion doesn’t have to be nearly as expensive as you might expect – thanks to the many designer outlets that are now popping up around the UK.
Perhaps you’ve been longing for a classic Burberry trench coat (the ideal spring jacket, if you ask us) or you’re considering splurging on a designer handbag? If the current season prices simply don’t suit your budget, outlet shopping might just be your ticket to a label-laden wardrobe.
With prices starting at around 40% off – and up to much more – designer outlets make luxury shopping that little bit more affordable. And that can’t be a bad thing, right?
The general rule is that designer outlets stock past-season items that haven’t sold, so often you’ll find limited-edition pieces and collections that are no longer available to buy anywhere else. It’s a bit of a game of luck – you never know what you’re going to find. Plus, it’s nice to know those unsold items haven’t ended up in landfill.
Our advice? Make a day of it – outlet shopping can be a time-consuming business. Pack snacks, wear flats, etc etc. And as always, purchase thoughtfully. A heavily-reduced price tag can make any of us want to add to basket, but first ask yourself – is it something you will truly wear and love?
For instance, on our trip to the London Designer Outlet (it’s a hard job, but someone has to do it), we managed to nab some bits from designers including Tommy Hilfiger and saved over £50. See this jumper, for instance:
£130 and, take a guess how much we managed to take it home for?
£70! It’s a timeless piece that will accessorise well with some crisp wide leg trousers, ideal for dressing up or down and, thanks to this outlet find, something that might have been an investment piece, came in more reasonably at a mid-range pricepoint. Elsewhere, we spotted these New Balance sneakers and a pair of those Ribcage hugging Levis we’ve been seeing all over our TikTok feeds.
With £40+ saved on the jeans (coming in at just under £70 at the outlet), it felt so much easier to inject high-quality styles into our wardrobes without months on end of saving. Plus, whether you’re looking for underwear, gymwear or even chocolate, the LDO’s wide range of shops – including Calvin Klein, Nike and Lindt – will have your autumn-winter wardrobe sorted from top to bottom. There’s even something for the man in your life, with options from The North Face and Champion, to name a few.
Not to mention the restaurants on-site will keep you fed and watered during such an arduous activity as shopping…kidding!