Edited by Jessica Lapidos
You are currently looking at the world’s largest shopping mall: the Internet. It’s a maze of stores where shopping directories are few and entirely too far between. That’s why we’ve rounded up the greatest boutiques on the interwebs, and wisely categorized them for your pleasure and ease. From the most ferocious footwear to the most luxurious labels, we’ve got a shop for every wallet’s capacity.
Edited by The Fashion Web
As if $3,500 for a bag weren’t enough, Chanel plans to go and inflate prices August 1st, thus making the odds that we will buy a brand new one in our lifetime even lower. Luckily, we know a thing or two about the discounted luxury and online sample sale sites and found some majorly discounted Chanel bags for you. Grab one before the prices sky rocket next month; it’s actually a sound investment – can you imagine how much it will be worth after the price jump?
Over at Portero, get the classic quilted and gold chain strap Chanel style with this Vintage Deep Green Quilted Suede Small Camera Tassel bag ($988, down from $2,195).
If you’re looking for something red hot to carry your credit cards in, look no further than this luxe Chanel Classic Caviar Leather wallet ($735, down from $850).
How’s this for timing? Tomorrow (Thursday, 7/22) at 11am, Rue La La is having a major vintage Chanel bag blowout for 48 hours. Get up to 70% off on these beauties:
(Sorry to tease – only one day until you can click and buy.)
Don’t forget to check back at our calendar of all of this week’s online sample sales for new updates, then head over to our guides to the best designer handbags, best handbags under $250, and chain strap bags.
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Edited by Hillary Frazier
Louboutin booties for 207$? Dream on. As I’ve now learned from The NY Daily News, if you think crazy markdowns are too good to be true, they probably are. Yes, we all know that sites like Bluefly.com, Guiltgroup, and Hautelook give great deals on designer clothing and shoes (Bluefly sells Louboutin for $200-$1100), but these deals are legit, and the shoes are manufactured in Louboutin factories, not sweatshops in China or Thailand.
Each year, $600 Billion counterfeit products are sold, causing a $512 Billion loss in global sales. And each year, Harper’s Bazaar runs an editorial investigation on fake trade, and the significance of purchasing authentic luxury products. They’ve put together a site called Fakes Are Never In Fashion, to help readers learn the dangers of buying fake, and how to be sure you’re buying the real deal. There’s also a blog called Counterfeit Chic, that tips off online shoppers to fakes, and Lululemon even posted on their site a 9 step how-to for spotting their fakes on the web and on the street.
You may think that buying fakes isn’t a big deal, just a more affordable way to get designer(ish) goods, but aside from being illegal, and costing billions of dollars to the retail industry, most of these goods are produced overseas in sweatshops, under disturbing conditions. NY Daily News reported:
“In a recent sweatshop raid in Thailand, a group of children, all under 10 years old, was found assembling leather purses. Horrifyingly, their limbs had been deliberately broken to keep them from escaping. The owners had tied their lower legs to their thighs so the bones wouldn’t mend.”
After reading this, I’ll never for a second consider following one of the vendors on Canal street down a dark alley or into a shady apartment, and even though I can’t afford luxury designers, I’ll save my money for Portero or Bag Borrow or Steal or buy vintage styles or from a good boutique that’s more in my price range.
Many people might see buying fakes as a harmless crime, but when you think about who is making these fakes, think twice before you buy. You may think you’re ‘sticking it to the man’ by buying ripped off designs, but you’re basically telling the evil man that it’s okay to use and abuse children to make your fake Louis Vuitton handbags and Jimmy Choo shoes. Get smart, and if you can’t afford luxury items, look somewhere else!
