If you see something make its way down the catwalk or on the red carpet that catches your eye, you might be used to rushing straight to the major designer shopping sites to find the goods to bring home.
But new season isn’t always where it’s at, especially if you want to bag a bargain. The outlet versions of these sites, from Yoox to The Outnet, often have similar pieces from earlier seasons - as well as archive pieces you thought you’d never get your hands on.
Sure, there might be fewer sizes available, or a key piece might come in slightly different colourways than its current equivalent, but if you’re shopping for a timeless wardrobe, it’s a smarter way to shop. Because, if you still like a dress from the autumn/winter 2023 collection now, it’s likely it’ll become a staple in your wardrobe for years to come. It’s a seasonless way to buy quality fashion, which is something we should all move towards to contribute to a more sustainable fashion economy.
Coveting pieces for their newness can contribute to the fast fashion cycle, as you’ll feel like you need something more current — bear in mind that some online and high street labels increase the frequency of drops to give buyers a sense of urgency and motive to return to the site.
However, designer outlets do still get drops of ‘new’ stock (when it’s no longer in season at the original seller, rather than adding to the churn of newness), so you’re not missing out on the excitement. And when you buy, you’re giving unsold, high-quality stock a home which stops the waste associated with leftovers.
These are our favourite outlets to shop for discount designer clothing and accessories — and what to expect when you browse.
The Outnet
A major player in the discount designer outlet space The Outnet is the sister company to Net-A-Porter. It was founded in 2009 and has a dedicated following of fashion editors and influencers. It has its own line, Iris and Ink, which encapsulates its commitment to selling timeless style staples. And has previously released other conscious themed lines to show this is in its DNA, such as an upcycled denim collection with ELV.
You’ll find an easy-to-navigate edit of previous season pieces (by brand, occasion, just in) from major players like Chloe and Victoria Beckham, as well as cool more mid-range brands such as &Daughter for knits and Staud for statement tops and dresses. The denim is unmatched at discount prices. Also, look out for the brand’s ‘considered edit’ featuring pieces from brands who are making positive changes to their production processes or ethos. Many items have 50 per cent off - and it can be up to 70.
Also worth knowing about is the brand’s buy-back service through its partnership with Reflaunt, which means you can resell items for store credit or cash and keep the circular economy going.
Buy now, The Outnet
Coggles
With over 200 fashion brands on offer, Coggles sells both current season and has an outlet where you can shop the best of the archive from the labels. Founded in the 1970s, it is a stalwart selling internationally and has a brick-and-mortar store in Alderley Edge.
The site is known for its street style aesthetic and the labels are a mix of emerging smaller brands, cult classics and rarer international ones. Think Ganni, Sleeper, Stepney Workers Club Men's for cool timeless trainers, and APC. You can also peruse its Life section for inspiration and check out the homeware while you’re on the site to buy from Scandi favourites HAY and Ferm Living.
Buy now, Coggles
Yoox
Owned by YNAP (Yoox Net-A-Porter group), this luxury fashion site has been running for nearly 25 years. Its collection is mostly made up of past-season pieces from established catwalk labels from Bottega to McQueen and Versace. Bags are big news here, from Gucci and Miu Miu to Stella McCartney. It’s where you should turn for a statement own-forever designer piece: think a Max Mara coat, Celine ballet flats or flared Isabel Marant trousers.
8 by YOOX is the brand’s own label with fashion-forward staples such as ruffle collar blouses and khaki trenches on sale right now. If you’re looking for labels that are better for the planet, go to its Yooxgen section which it says is ‘dedicated to making fashion socially and environmentally responsible’.
Buy now, Yoox
The Hut
If you’re prioritising quality but don’t want to splurge on super-premium designer clothing (even at a discount) then The Hut, owned by Frasers, is the perfect place to go. It has an outlet where many of its mid-range designer pieces get sold out of season. Think Damson Madder and Dr Martens, as well as practical pieces from the likes of Rains. Party dresses, work bags, gifts and homeware are all easy to come by here at reasonable prices.
Buy now, The Hut
Flannels Outlet
Flannels has over 50 real-life stores and is a major online presence in the streetwear designer space. It has a dedicated outlet section for past-season pieces from its most-loved labels across all of its categories for men, women and kids — spanning clothes, accessories and footwear. There are even beauty buys.
You can find pieces under £30 and there are plenty of iterations of classics from their biggest brands, such as C.P. Company, Acne and Off White. Footwear-wise, expect New Balance, Ugg and collabs with Stella McCartney and Comme de Garcons, with 30 per cent off and more.
Buy now, Flannels Outlet
Vestiaire Collective
Vestiaire Collective is a pre-loved site, but it’s one of the best places to shop discount designer items — everything goes through a rigorous authentification process, and it’s where items that seem like an urban legend might resurface. It’s popular with editors, designers and archive fashion collectors.
Items are up to 70 per cent off their retail price. It’s brilliantly curated by the in-house team who also shoot everything, so it doesn’t have the feel of sometimes-chaotic peer-to-peer sites. The experts who work here only accept listings for seasonally relevant products in good condition and genuine. With 25,000 items submitted by their community of sellers every week, the site is never short of chic clothing, bags or accessories.
Buy now, Vestiaire Collective
