Stilorama Magazine’s fashion editor Stephanie Holding helps you beat the credit crunch.

Credit crunch: the two words designer-loving fashionistas have come to despise. Since the economic downturn began nearly two years ago, our pockets and purses have undergone some serious change. There’s nothing that quite matches the workmanship, quality and originality of designer clothing. But no more can we step in to our favourite boutiques for a little ‘treat’, and if we do it is not without a lingering feeling of guilt. Whether it is the high-street or high-end that fills your closet, most of us have curbed our spending. But what if we were to tell you that your designer dreams are only a hop, skip or click away at a fraction of their original price?

You will have heard of every stylista’s fave website, www.net-a-porter.com, but have you been acquainted with its sister site? Let me introduce to you www.theoutnet.com. Bringing you all the fab fashion and up-to-date trends of the mothership at discounted prices, shopping on a shoe-string doesn’t get much better! With lustworthy brands such as Stella McCartney, Christian Louboutin and 3.1 Philip Lim reduced up to 80%, it’s a bargain lover’s heaven.

But have you ever wondered how fashion editors stay looking so chic? Sample sales are our little secret! Each season designer houses sell off old and current stock at a fraction of their original price. Stay savvy by signing up to websites such as www.fashionconfidential.co.uk   and www.samplesaleslondon.co.uk, which alert you to upcoming sales and give you exclusive access to them. Elbows at the ready though, these sales are not for the faint hearted! For those not wanting to battle crowds, click on to www.catwalktocloset.com an online sample sale that takes the stress out of bargain hunting.

For those not so au fait with internet shopping, Bicester Village in Oxfordshire offers a plethora of designer outlet stores. With labels like Matthew Williamson, Anya Hindmarch and DVF heavily reduced, it’s a sure-fire way to boost your wardrobe credentials. And for all Londonites, Browns – the answer to all your designer needs – has an outlet store (Browns Labels for Less) that sells past season pieces at credit-crunch-friendly prices that never disappoint!

 So, there we have it. The recession may be doing it’s best to dull our days, but with these top tips you can face it in pure style!

Contacts;

Bicester Village, +44 (0) 1869 323 200

Browns Labels for Less, +44 (0) 7514 0052