I want Victoria Beckham’s wardrobe

Exotic Hermes bags, custom made Christian Louboutin shoes and everything from Marc Jacobs, who can resist! If only I had her spending money. Well that and her frame to fit into tiny Roland Mouret dresses. 

Unfortunately I’m not a hotel heiress, I don’t have a seven figure salary and I’m not married to a hot blonde soccer player that has a killer smile and an awesome body… you get the drift. I did however build my wardrobe by buying some of the most coveted items at a sale. I love shopping and whether I’m rummaging through racks at department stores or browsing the net on my comfy bed, I get a thrill when I find a bargain. Of course these are things I need. Right now I’m in dire need of the perfect little black dress to complement my new Christian Louboutin heels I just snatched at a sale. The price tag said US625 but I managed to grab them at 70% off. That’s a steal at US188 for the perfect peep toe pumps. 


Its no coincidence that I found the Christian Louboutin heels at my budget. It actually took me a little bit of time to figure out how to find really good bargains. When I first moved to NY, I was over the moon about US prices in general that I considered it a bargain in itself. Designer jeans, cosmetics, shoes, they were all cheaper in comparison to Sydney. But as I got used to shopping habits here in the US and their public holidays I learned to plan my purchases and get smarter about finding bargains.

When I used to live in Sydney, big sales were twice a year. But in the US, sales at department stores like Saks and Barneys are generally centered around the public holidays: 

January 19, 2009: Martin Luther King Day [3rd monday in Jan] 
• Last round of sales for Fall/Winter merchandise. Discounts usually range from 70-75% but due to poor sales recently, seasonal merchandise was marked down to 80-85% off. At the NYC Saks store for example, there were Bottega Veneta and Prada handbags at 70% off and American and European designer labels including Marc by Marc Jacobs and Chanel at 80% off. 


May 25, 2009: Memorial Day (observed) [last monday in May]
• First cut of sales for Spring/Summer merchandise. Discounts are around 30-40%.
• Towards third week of June the second cut of sales begin. Discounts range from 50-60%.

July 4, 2009: Independence Day
• Last round of sales for Spring/Summer merchandise. Discounts range from 70-75%. 

November 26, 2009: Thanksgiving Day [4th thursday in Nov] 
• Start of the traditional Holiday shopping season, also known as Black Friday. Discounts are around 30-40%.

December 25, 2009: Christmas Day 
• Second cut of sales. Discounts range from 50-60%.

Keep these dates in mind and I will post actual dates of sales as soon as I get the details. Sale prices are usually online too so even if you’re not here to take advantage of the sale, you will only be few clicks away. 

Now about that tiny frame of hers…