How to save 80% or more on designer clothes, shoes, accessories

This article is an excerpt from Kristi Gustafson Barlette’s weekly newsletter, Just Kristi. To get it sent to your inbox every Wednesday, sign up here.

Another online love? Poshmark. I’ve written about selling on the site before, but these days I’m also buying new, tags-attached pieces for significantly less than those same items are currently selling for elsewhere. 

If I see something I love on Nordstrom, Net-a-Porter, or elsewhere, I hit up Posh to see if someone is selling the identical item for less. 

If so, I make an offer and, frequently, it’s accepted. (Note: always, always make an offer, rather than defaulting to purchasing outright for the asking price.) Like with The Outnet, I’ve saved 80-plus percent on items for me and for my kids. You can save even more on The Outnet by signing up for Rakuten. The cash-back site (which is connected to hundreds of popular stores, including Target, Nordstrom, Athleta/Gap, Walmart, Macy’s and others) usually offers a 2-to-4 percent return at The Outnet and as much as 10-to-12 percent at other stores. 

A leather jumpsuit I ordered from Poshmark this weekend arrived yesterday. I paid 82 percent less than it’s currently selling for on several other sites, and I’m in love with the outfit. I also found a new, $200, tags attached Helly Hansen junior winter jacket on Posh. It was listed at $119. The buyer accepted my $65 offer. 

Shopping on this resale platform takes a little time and research. Like with eBay, or similar sites, you want to check out the seller’s feedback. If the item is a high-end designer piece, you must find a seller with a lot of sales (I’d say at least 100, but 500-plus is better) and stellar feedback to help ensure authenticity.

Also, read the details in the listing and understand the sizing (ex: with that jumpsuit, I had tried it on previously in person, but shuddered at the price tag). Purchases are not returnable (unless they’re misrepresented) so if those pants are too short or the dress won’t zip, you are (basically) out of luck. I say basically because there is the option to “re-Posh”, which is reselling the item you just purchased. But, there’s no guarantee you’ll make your money back. 

So saving comes with (some) risk, but I’ve made three dozen-plus purchases (but nearly 900 sales, as that’s still my addiction) and only had to resell one or two items — that’s pretty good for someone with my hard-to-fit body type. 

If you haven’t been on the site in a while, check it out here. And, if you’re new to Poshmark, sign up using justkristib when it asks who told you about it — you’ll get $10 to spend on your first purchase.