Tag: shopping online

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Best January sale buys under €30

by E, posted in Fashion

January is here and purse strings are tighter than a noose. For the majority of people, it’s a month of cutting back and spending as little as possible.

One year, I did a no new clothes challenge and I fully intended on doing it again this year until I got a tax refund and my resolve weakened!

I’ve been browsing the sales recently and here are some of the best buys under €30 I’ve found.

New Look

The snakeskin trend isn’t going anywhere and I’m quite partial to these boots, €29.99 from New Look.

KLAXON: They are now down to €18 so I bought a pair in a five. They pinch my toes a little but the only six left were discoloured and a bit big for me!

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Snakeskin boots. Pic: NewLook.com

KLAXON: They are now down to €18 so I bought a pair in a five. They pinch my toes a little but the only six left were discoloured and a bit big for me!

Topshop

Topshop Jervis is probably my favourite place to browse as the merchandising is always amazing, they’ve a huge range of stock, including a good vintage selection and they even have a Nine Crows concession now.

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Yesterday, I picked up this little hat for €4 reduced from €20. I’d been on the lookout for a leather look beret and I couldn’t leave it behind!

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Leather look beret. Pic: Topshop.com

 

There are lots of other berets reduced to €4, including this adorable tartan one.

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Tartan beret. Pic: Topshop.com

Another gorgeous bargain from Topshop is this stunning strapless dress.

I don’t know if it would suit my body type but it looks amazing. Reduced from €40 to €20.

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Snakeprint dress. Pic: Topshop.com

Mango

I honestly think Mango is possibly the most fashion-forward high street store, even more so than Zara.

These retro style bags were very popular last season and this pearl one is now just €19.99, reduced from €49.99.

Word of warning, these bags are quite heavy before you even put anything into them!

 

Pearl bag. Mango.com

There were two pairs of cowboy-style boots from Mango I wanted to include but they were outside the €30 budget!

Bershka

Bershka and all of the Inditex shops (Zara, Stradivarius, Massimo Dutti) are always a good shout for sale bargains, as they tend to stagger their reductions gradually.

This cute vinyl dress looks great layered over a light jumper or polo-neck for daytime or by itself with heels for a night out. Reduced from €35.99 to €17.99.

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Vinyl dress. Pic: Bershka.com

Another good buy coming in at €27.99 down from €39.99 is this cosy shearling and cord jacket.

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Cord jacket. Pic: Bershka.com

Asos

Asos are currently offering up to 70% off in their sale and they have some really good jeans on sale.

I’m loving mom jeans lately and these Vero Moda ones come in at just under €25, down from €41. Shop in sterling and you’ll get them for just over €20.

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Vero Moda mom jeans. Pic: Asos.com

Two other pairs that both come in at the €25 mark are these Oasis straight leg jeans reduced from €50 and these funky Glamorous jeans with frayed seam details down from €40.

 

Frayed seam jeans. Pic: Asos.com
Straight leg jeans. Pic: Asos.com

With The Spice Girls set to make a comeback in 2019, chunky trainers are still in style.

Channel your inner Baby Spice in these holographic bad boys reduced from €50 down to €18.

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Chunky white trainers. Pic: Asos.com

Stradvarius

There are some really nice pieces in the Stradivarius sale including this faux leather zip skirt.

It comes in dark purple, beige and brown and is reduced to €12.99 from €19.99.

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Faux leather skirt. Pic: Stradivarius.com

Another item I really like is this grey long-sleeve t-shirt for only €5.99, reduced from €12.99.

Long sleeve tees are great for this time of the year, you can layer them under a gilet or jumper for extra warmth.

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Grey long sleeve t-shirt. Pic: Stradivarius.com

Office

It would be a crime to finish this blog post without including some gorgeous heels because I’m a shoe freak.

I was recently browsing in Office and they have loads of discounts.

These lilac beauties are real leather and only €17 down from a whopping €78 while these studded mules are €30 down from €68.

 

Studded mule shoes. Pic: Office.co.uk
Lilac high heel shoes. Pic: Office.co.uk

And these western-style boots with silver piping are only €30 down from €56.

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Western style ankle boots. Pic: Office.co.uk

I’m quite conscious that many people won’t be spending money at the moment but if you are on the lookout for some bargains, I hope this has provided some inspiration.

I try and show a range of products from different shops in these posts and there are no affiliate links. Let me know if you would like to see more or less of these posts.

Next week I’m going to the River Island Spring/Summer press day and I’m also hoping to do some thrifty homeware posts this year.

Thanks for reading and don’t forget to check out my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook page.

Edel

 

 

 

 

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Bargain Alert: Nasty Gal’s 70% off liquidation sale

by E, posted in Blogging, Fashion, Festival Fashion, Independent Labels, Jackets, Online Shopping, S/S 17 Fashion, Shopping, Spring/Summer 17 Fashion, Spring/Summer Fashion, Thrifty Fashion, Vintage Fashion

You may have heard that Nasty Gal have gone bankrupt and they are about to be taken over by Boohoo.com.

It’s surprising to see the site go bust considering they once pulled in $85 million in revenue.

Nasty Gal’s entrepreneurial founder and self-titled #Girlboss, Sophia Amoruso seemed like she could do no wrong at one point.

Her book #Girlboss topped bestseller lists and there’s even talk of a Netflix show based on her life.

But every cloud has a silver lining and this one comes in the form of a 70% off everything sale, (including previous sale items) as the company scrambles to offload their stock.

Here’s a few of the bargains available but you’ll have to be quick, the stock is flying out!

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Sequin and bead top. Pic: Nastygal.com

This gorgeous vintage style top was €109 but is only €32.70 with discount. It’s still available in sizes M-XL.

It’s a real statement piece and would be ideal for a special occasion.

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Black glittery blouse. Pic: NastyGal.com

This sheer glittery blouse was already  reduced to €54 so it’s only  €16.20 with discount.

This is still available in L and XL.

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Floral tattoo applique top. Pic: NastyGal.com

This lace crop top with floral tattoo appliques is the stuff of dreams.

Unfortunately for me, it’s only left in a XS.

€18.30 with discount, pretty damn sweet!

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White peasant blouse. Pic: NastyGal.com

Nasty Gal have lots of sexy styles but also some really cool bohemian stuff like this pretty peasant blouse.

This is still available in a size small and is less than a tenner!

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Rosa boots. Pic: Nastygal.com

If you’re a size 7 and looking for some statement ankle boots, then these Rosa boots are just what you need.

These are a third of the original price, only €46.50 right now. However, there’s only size 7 left. *sobs quietly*

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Oxblood lace up leggings.

I think these lace-up leggings would be hard to pull off but I do love the style.

These are €30.30 in final sale and only left in XS. They’re also left in a cream colour but I think they’d be even harder to pull off!

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Studded jacket. Pic: Nastygal.com

This studded denim jacket is very festival-friendly and less than €20!

You’d be hard pressed to find anything under €20 in Nasty Gal’s heyday…

This is only left in S.

FYI, there are NO returns or exchanges on any of the items. The 70% discount is applied at the checkout.

Be aware that a lot of items listed on the site are sold out already and when I clicked on several available items, it said only 1 or 2 left.

Standard shipping is €14.95 to Ireland.

Many of labels stocked on Nasty Gal will be still available elsewhere, i.e. Lavish Alice, Glamorous, Jaded London all have their own sites so it’s not the end of the road for these brands.

It’ll be interesting to see what direction Boohoo will take, will they completely reinvent it or try to recreate Amoruso’s magic formula?

Did you shop from Nastygal? Are you sorry to see it go? Leave me a comment below and let me know.

PS- this isn’t a sponsored post.

UPDATE: The sale is now over but the new site had been launched with loads of new stock. Let me know what you guys think of the new look – personally I think it’s very similar to PLT and Missguided.

Thank you for visiting my blog and  don’t forget to check out my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook page here.

Edel

Shopping online hacks to save money

by E, posted in Fashion, Online Shopping, Shopping, Thrift Shopping

Shopping online is the ultimate in convenience, endless choice, no need to go into town or indeed get dressed and you can do it 24/7. Unless you manage to lock yourself out of your Verified by Visa like me and then leave it locked as a precautionary measure!

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Gif: Giphy.com

There are numerous ways to spend less shopping online and I’m only beginning to utilise them.

Buying in sterling.

Recently I wrote a piece for Evoke on how Brexit and the fall of sterling means that buying online in sterling can result in bargains ! As sterling has been weakened by Brexit, buying in sterling is a better option.

Not many sites will allow you to select sterling payments with an Irish address but Asos does. You’ll save more on expensive items like this dainty Cambridge satchel bag is €133.80. Based on current exchange rates it ought to be £113.50 in sterling. But once you change the price to sterling, it’s only £95!

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Cambridge satchel. Pic: Asos.com

You will make real savings on more expensive items but you can even make small savings on tops/dresses etc.

Free Delivery

Asos offer free delivery with a minimum spend also, £20/€25. Avail of free delivery if you can as paying for delivery can negate any student discounts or voucher codes you use.

If you have to choose between free delivery or a voucher code, check which is cheaper by running both options through the checkout.

Voucher Codes/Student Discount

If you’re a student, sign up for a Unidays account NOW! Yes there are sites which only offer a measly 10% off but lots offer 15%-25% or run promotions for a certain time period.

It usually won’t work on sale items but I bought this Asos belt for £20 and applied the discount to get it for £18/ €21.22. If I’d paid euro I’d have paid €28. And I got free delivery!

asos double buckle belt
Double buckle belt Asos.com

The likes of LASULA, PLT and Missguided always have promotions such as free delivery for a limited period or 25% off certain items. Check out their Snapchat accounts as they often post codes up there.

Sizing rip-offs.

Shockingly shops such as Boohoo and Asos were exposed for charging more for the exact same item but in plus size. It’s a ludicrous practice and now they seem to be doing it with their regular and petite sizing too.

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Last night I was buying denim shorts on Asos when I happened to notice the petite size was €4 less. The shorts were exactly the same, no difference whatsoever! So I bought the petite in an 8 and hoped for the best. If you’re on the petite side it’s worth checking out.I  paid in sterling so they only cost me £15/ €17.68 rather than €25 for the regular size.

These are €25.35 in regular.Pic: Asos.com
While the petite size are €21.13!! Pic: Asos.com

 

Whether Asos and Boohoo are still pulling the plus size trick, I’m not sure. If they are, it’s a pretty shitty thing to do and something to be aware of if you’re shopping from them.

Shopping for multiple brands on one site.

If you want to buy lots of items from different shops and don’t want to pay 10 different delivery charges then hop on over to Opsh where you can buy from Missguided, Lavish Alice and River Island among others and pay a flat €5/£4.50 delivery fee! I haven’t bought from Opsh yet but it sounds deadly.

Plus you’re saved the hassle of going onto 10 different sites and signing up for 10 different accounts. (Although if you are an online shopping addict, you probably have them already). Returns must be sent directly to the individual retailer and currently there is no exchange service.

Plus when comparing Boohoo jackets on Opsh in euro to Boohoo’s own site, some of them were slightly cheaper on Opsh, yay!

Beware of branding rip-offs.

Asos stock loads of popular high street brands and online cult clothing lines but beware Asos sometimes bump up the prices on items such as Adidas Superstars which are €105 on Asos but €88 in JD Sports. On the flip side they often stock limited edition trainers like the gorgeous Reebok Ice Princess trainers I bought which can’t be bought in shops.

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Best buy ever. Pic: Asos.com

I’ve also seen Mango trainers at least €10 more on Asos than on the Mango site.

First time discounts.

Big retailers like Romwe and Sheinside will let you have a significant discount when buying for the first time. You have to spend a certain amount and it may affect other offers so compare discounts before  check out!

That’s all my wisdom imparted, do you have any online shopping hacks to save money? I’d love to hear them, just leave me a comment below! Thanks for reading as always and don’t forget to check out my Instagram  and Facebook page here.

Edel