The buzz surrounding the latest designer meets fast fashion collabs (Isabel Marant for H&M is the latest one) definitely hits a fever pitch and erupts into a frenzy the first 24 hours that the collection has become available. I do have to admit that it’s relatively easy to get swept up in it, resulting in more regretful purchases than one would like to acknowledge. There are plenty of pieces that are amongst my favorites from these collabs that I am still wearing and are actually holding up physically, so I believe it is possible to shop designer collabs, if you do it intelligently. Your wallet and your closet will certainly be grateful!
Make a Strategy of What You Want to Buy, and Limit the Amount of Items You Will Purchase
Nowadays the lookbooks/sneak peeks at an upcoming collection debut online well in advance of the collection’s launch date, so that you can decide on which items you REALLY want, and make a note of them so that you don’t get swept up in the competitive purchasing that happens once it’s available for purchase. It’s always interesting to find out what items will be most popular and sell out first, but that doesn’t mean you need to get one of those items. Limit your purchases to THREE items, maximum, from the collection, so that you zero in on what you want and actually will wear, evaluating your existing wardrobe needs and hopefully filling it with pieces that are right at home with your style and mix of apparel and accessories.
Stay Away from Bold Prints and Silhouettes, that are OBVIOUSLY from this High-Meets-Low Fashion Collaboration
There’s a fine line to walk between getting very affordable versions of the designs that your favorite brand/designer creates, and making it obvious that you bought into the “cheaper” version of the goods. For example: Continue reading…