The Fashion Savvy Cyber Shopper

In an age where technology is booming – the fashion world is keeping up.  If a fashion savvy woman is in search of designer goods at a great price, the internet may be the best place to look.

People are often skeptical of internet shopping because there are many Web sites that claim to have authentic products, when what they actually sell is far from the real deal.  Tired of looking at these designer goods with amazing prices and being too skeptical to make a purchase? Don’t worry. I will let you in on another piece of classified information that a true fashionista deserves know.

Expert internet shoppers state “If a deal seems like it is too good to be true, it probably is.” This is incorrect.  There are a lot of great Web sites out there that sell authentic designer goods at prices up to 70 percent off.  Often these will be items from last season or an item that a major department store did not sell, but they are still completely authentic. 

One site for the fashion savvy shopper selling authentic discounted designer goods is Gilt Group, www.gilt.com.  Gilt Group lives up to its name. It sells fabulous merchandise for a great price and quickly becomes a “gilty pleasure.”  Other sites like Gilt Group are: www.bluefly.com, www.ruelala.com, www.ideeli.com, www.hautelook.com and www.shopbop.com.

A character from the CW’s Gossip Girl mentions checking “gilt” for a clothing item she was searching for.  Bravo TV’s real housewives - Bethenny Frankel and Kyle Richards - share their fashion obsessions with Bluefly. These websites are legitimate, respected and authentic.

Another great way to get high-end products at an affordable price is to go directly to the source.  At times a fashionista will forget that department stores and high-end retail stores frequently sell sale merchandise on their Web sites. Sale items often sell out in the store, but can be found online with a click of the mouse!

In order to be a fashion savvy internet shopper you must learn how to spot the red flags associated with internet shopping.  If a website does not give a shopper the opportunity to return a product, then most likely the product is counterfeit.  Legitimate websites will allow customers to return merchandise. They have nothing to hide!

When it doubt, check the Better Business Bureau’s website prior to making an online purchase from an unfamiliar website. The BBB posts real reviews from real people on their Web site.  If an online retailer is selling counterfeit merchandise, it is likely that angry customers will alert the BBB. Be a fashion savvy cyber shopper!