What’s better than a designer shoe? A designer shoe that doesn’t come with a designer price tag, of course. Between flash sales, discount sites, and outlets, it’s easier than ever to score some luxury heels, kicks, or wedges for your closet.
It’s about shopping smart, not hard.
Here are some of our favourite places to shop discount designer shoes online.
DSW
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DSW (or Designer Shoe Warehouse) is a no-brainer for scoring mid-level designer shoes for a fraction of their original price. No overly strategic shopping is needed here — you can nab brands like adidas, Steve Madden, Timberland, and Frye all the time on DSW’s site. They even allow you to filter by your preferred brand.
Pro tip: to make sure you’re actually getting a deal, look for “Comp. value” labelled on your shoe of choice. That phrase indicates you’re getting a discount. Otherwise, you’re just paying the full price that you’d pay from the brand itself.
Nordstrom Rack
Instagram/@nordstromrack
Nordstrom gives you two unique ways to save on designer shoes. The first, Nordstrom Rack, works exactly like a regular retail website. Stock that didn’t sell at Nordstrom proper (or was made specifically for the Rack) is listed on the site for purchase. Brands you’ll find here include UGG, Tory Burch, Cole Haan, and more.
Hautelook
Instagram/@herclosetdujour
Nordstrom’s second option is Hautelook, a flash-sale site, meaning you have a very limited time (usually 24-72 hours) to pick from a selection of products before everything is either a) sold out, or b) unlisted from the site. Shopping for designers via Hautelook will require some real patience — sales are hit or miss, and the designer or brand you want may only come up once every few months. You can sign up for their daily newsletters, and you can navigate the site by product to keep up with the different events being hosted. Eventually, you’ll find a gem.
Beyond the Rack
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Beyond the Rack works the exact same way as Hautelook, with one noticeable difference: it’s Canadian! This flash-sale site has all of the perks of other sites like it, but with a nice break on shipping for Canadians. Just like with Hautelook, patience is key. BTR may not sport as many brands as other sites, but it keeps up pretty well. Plus, they sometimes feature Canadian brands, like Matt & Nat!
Barneys Warehouse
Instagram/@barneyswarehouse
Now we’re into the really, really luxe stuff. Barneys is where you want to be if you want anything designer, and Barneys Warehouse is where you want to be if you want those things without emptying your entire wallet (you can also pick up a new wallet there, if the spirit moves you). The designers it boasts could knock a brand-lover to their knees, with names like Versace, Fendi, and Gucci on its roster. Or, perhaps Tom Ford is more your speed? Whatever your choice, you’re likely to find it at Barneys.
The Outnet
Instagram/@theoutnet
Another hotspot for extremely high-end brands, The Outnet claims designers like Altuzarra, Stuart Weitzman, and Acne. Everything is on sale all the time for up to 75% off. Just be sure to watch the prices, which are listed in American dollars, to ensure you’re really getting the best deal.
Neiman Marcus Last Call
Instagram/@totallyglamblog
Chloé, Dior, Manolo Blahnik, Givenchy… You get the idea. Carrie Bradshaw probably wishes she had access to a site like Last Call, where a pair of her beloved Manolos can be found at 20% off or more. For even deeper discounts, head to the website’s clearance section, where you can find deals for up to 80% off the sale price.
Bluefly
Instagram/@dashofaudreypinchofcarrie
Bluefly does things differently from the rest. While you can shop luxury brands for less, they also have a pre-owned section! Shoes are only available in the regular discount section, but who’s to stop you from browsing some pre-loved bags while you’re there? The shoe section has the likes of Marc Jacobs, Valentino, and Saint Laurent. The only caveat is that shipping to Canada has to be done through MyUS.com.
Saks Off 5th
Instagram/@saksoff5th
If you don’t live near a brick and mortar location of the discount designer retailer, you’ll be happy to hear that you can also shop Saks Off 5th online. Online, you’ll find a larger selection with discounts of up to 70% off. Labels you’ll discover here include Stuart Weitzman, Jimmy Choo, and Badgley Mischka, to name a few.
Featured image: Instagram/@bluefly
When it comes to buying designer brands, most of the time, it can seem a bit daunting…or out of reach.
Spending even hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars on a single item can definitely require a ton of deliberation or self-convincing, trying to decide out if it’s worth it or not.
Luckily for us penny-savers, there are a few loopholes in the system to consider that will open you to a world of designer deals, right at our fingertips — so long as you do not mind shopping consignment, or looking for the hidden gems that are designer outlets.
Here are our top five favourite places to score discount designer clothes and accessories online:
Fashionably Yours
Instagram/@shopfy
Fashionably Yours is a consignment boutique that specializes in reselling designer clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories. It was founded by Toronto’s very own celebrity stylist Janet Han back in 2009, and has been ruling the Canadian designer consignment game ever since. Fashionably Yours is an extremely respected local store, based on trendy Queen St. West, that prides itself on authenticity and quality control, ensuring that they are only reselling the best of the best. For those of you that are more interested in consigning your items, rather than shopping, you will receive a 50% of the resale price.
The-Upside
Instagram/@shoptheupside
The-Upside is an online Canadian consignment store that supplies authentic, high-quality, secondhand women’s designer clothing, handbags, shoes, and jewelry. They offer over 250 designer brands such as Chanel, Hermes, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and more. On top of that, if you’re looking to resell your gently used designer pieces, you earn 60% of the resale price.
Not to mention, they offer same day shipping, so that you don’t have to wait for your new pieces!
VSP Consignment
Instagram/@vspconsigmnet
Similar to The-Upside, VSP Consignment, A Toronto-based company, is in the business of reselling gently used luxury pieces. So, whether you’re interested in buying designer clothing, handbags, or shoes, or you’re looking to make some extra cash from designer items you no longer want, the choice is yours. If you choose to consign, you will make 50% off of the resale price. VSP Consignment prides themselves on quality control, so that you get the most bang for your buck, and no one will be able to tell you’re sporting secondhand gear. It’s a win-win!
If you’re in Toronto, you can browse VSP’s massive collection at their store on Dundas St. West.
Barney’s Warehouse
Instagram/@barneyswarehouse
Although based in New York City, Barney’s Warehouse, the designer outlet warehouse, ships to Canada! That means that we have access to countless designer styles by more than 200 designer brands. Discounts are as much as 60% off of sale prices, and sometimes if you’re extra lucky, that’s on top of an already discounted price. Talk about a steal! Barney’s itself is a world-renowned luxury retailer that has been around since the early 1900s and is a trusted company by many high-rollers and fashionistas.
The Outnet
Instagram/@theoutnet
Since its launch in 2009, The Outnet has been a go-to for those who love an irresistible designer bargain. With new arrivals several times per week, extensive authenticity checks, more than 350 designer brands to choose from, and as much as 75% off, you can’t go wrong. They even offer a personalized experience for those that are looking for style tips or sizing advice, simply by contacting their customer care team via email or phone. They know that even if you are shopping the sales, buying designer items can still be an investment — their customer care team is dedicated to making sure the customer feels comfortable before making their purchase.
Featured Image: Instagram/@shopfy