First, there was shopping. Then, there was online shopping. Now, there’s flash-sale shopping.
It’s a situation that many Collegiettes have been through. They’re in class, trying to follow the lecture, but happen to have Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, etc. open, but may also be stumbling upon and checking out the latest looks from their favorite stores. Online shopping has never been easier: with just a click of a button and a credit card, you have access to the virtual world of shopping.
And after the Fashion Week hype has died down, I’m still lusting for that hot Prada LBD and that sleek Marc Jacobs bag. But let’s be realistic: we’re college students, and we’re broke. However, there’s a new way to get access to your favorite designer looks for a lot less, making youand your wallet happy. It’s free to sign up and incredibly easy to use, I guarantee you’ll be adding these to your list of websites to check in the morning.
Here are nine fabulous new websites to sign up for, pronto:
Gilt Groupe
How it works: Daily fashion, accessories beauty flash sales, starts at noon EST and ends at 11:59 p.m. EST the following day
Price: Up to 60% off
How to sign up: Go to www.gilt.com, enter your email, and you’re already a member. The site will email you the deals of the day, as well as unique upcoming sales. Plus, you get $25 in Gilt credit when you refer a friend after their purchase has shipped.
Perks of the site: This site features more designer-y names like Herve Leger, Louis Vuitton and 3.2 Phillip Lim, as well as more popular names like Juicy Couture and Ella Moss. It also features deals for men, children, home accents and gifts, as well as exclusive food services and one-of-a-kind city experiences and travel packages across every continent. Gilt also has an iPhone app, so you can shop on the go if you’re not in front of your computer.
Haute Look
How it works: This California-based site has the same concept as Gilt Groupe, but this site adds more smaller brands delivering the same low price as its designer counterparts. Also features deals for men, children, home décor, and travel experiences.
Price: Up to 70% off
How to sign up: Go to www.hautelook.com, enter your email, and you’re already a member. HauteLook also has an iPhone app, making it easier for us college fashionistas to shop in between classes. Plus, if you invite your friends, you’ll get $10 in HauteLook credit after your friend’s purchase has shipped.
RueLaLa
How it works: This one is changes its lineup daily, so be sure to snag up your purchase before it’s gone! The site features cool designers like Rachel Roy, as well as local city deals, from Chicago to Dallas to Los Angeles.
Price: Up to 70% off
How to sign up: Go to www.ruelala.com and get shopping!
Jewelmint
How it works: Like the name is implied, this site is all about jewelry. Actress Kate Bosworth and her stylist created each unique piece. Their designs look expensive, but the price is awesome.
Price: Each piece is $29.99, but you can skip a month.
How to sign up: Sign up at jewelmint.com, and take a short survey about your style. You’ll receive personalized picks each month based on your answers.
Sole Society
How it works: A sister site to Haute Look, Sole Society picks a “closet” of new shoes each month based on your answers to their style quiz.
Price: Each pair is $49.99. When three of your friends buy shoes, you get a free pair.
How to sign up: Go to solesociety.com to find your (potential) sole mate!
Birchbox
How it works: For the beauty junkie who can never have too many products, this site sends you 4-5 high-end beauty samples each month. The surprise is that you don’t know what you’re going to get, and it’s perfect for those who don’t want to commit to full-size products just yet. If you decide you like a sample product and want a larger size, you can order it through the site.
Price: $10 a month.
How to sign up: Go to birchbox.com and get ready for your close-up!
Rent the Runway
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How it works: You know that gorgeous red dress you saw on the Dolce and Gabbana runway during fashion week? How about Lea Michelle’s slinky Marchesa dress from the Emmys? Well, thanks to Rent the Runway, you can score both dresses – for a fraction of their cost. If you’re going to a big event or party and need something new to wear, you get the excitement of rocking the designer dress without paying the designer price. Most of the dresses are under $100, and you can have the dress for up to a week. Have two events and need a second opinion? You can select a second dress, along with a free backup size, for just $25. Shipping and returning is super-easy, and dry-cleaning is included in the fee.
Price: Up to 90% off retail for each rental
How to sign up: Go to renttherunway.com and start browsing. This is a great website for all college fashionistas, and the site will even send promo codes and weekly picks based on upcoming events at each school. In fact, U of I has its own Rent the Runway team, so stay tuned to what we have in store for this year!
Happy Shopping! Now, back to that chemistry lecture….