Look a Million Without Spending it. In Edinburgh!
Dress agencies
With a bit of ingenuity and a whole lot of style, it's possible to look a million dollars on even the tightest budget. If you know where to look, Scotland's capital is awash with top-notch bargains for the canny fashionista.
Our Top Tips?
Wear your bargains confidently. That way no one will question them!
Don't overdo the designer influenced items. One item worn at a time looks credible. The more you wear, the less convincing it looks.
High Street Gems
High street stores are full of copies of more expensive items. Teamed with a second hand designer bag, belt or some great shoes a convincing ensemble can easily be thrown together.
Here’s our pick of where to find the best bargains.
Primark - The king of disposable fashion at astonishingly low prices. Ok, you have to rummage for the really convincing stuff but it's worth the effort. An Edinburgh store is due to open soon. Click here to read our Edinburgh Primark Update.....
Matalan - Again, you have to scour hard for the real bargains but there's plenty to be had for the discerning eye. There are large stores in Seafield and on Slateford Road.
TK Maxx - Plenty of genuine designer bargains. Again, you do need to root through the rails. It’s worth constantly re-visiting if you don't find a gem first try as the stores are constantly receiving new stock. Stores in Edinburgh at Meadowbank and Blackhall
Asda – George at Asda are excellent at transferring designer trends and selling them in their superstores at very reasonable prices. Stores in Edinburgh at Slateford and The Jewel.
Charity Shop Chic
Charity shops are now becoming a lot more switched on, with many now pre-selecting designer and vintage goods for dedicated rails. You can bag some really unusual items you simply won't find in high street stores. In Edinburgh, some of the best charity shops are to be found in the Newington area, along Morningside Road and in Stockbridge. Click here to read our article on Charity Shop Chic.
Vintage Vantage
With such a vibrant student population, it comes as no surprise that Edinburgh is so well supplied with quality vintage clothing shops. Some of the best are to be found in the Grassmarket area. One slight disadvantage is that the sizing tends to be different.
Dress Agencies
Dress agencies have a different format to other types of second-hand shop. Clothes are sold for their owners on a ‘commission’ basis ie the original owner gets a percentage of the sale price and the shop owner keeps the rest.
The advantage is that people will sell items that they feel are ‘too good’ to give to charity because they’ll receive money back for them. Dress Agencies are ideal hunting grounds, therefore, for designer bargains and unusual items at knock-down prices. Quality tends to be higher than in thrift shops too as agency owners will generally turn away items that are past their best.
The advantage is that people will sell items that they feel are ‘too good’ to give to charity because they’ll receive money back for them. Dress Agencies are ideal hunting grounds, therefore, for designer bargains and unusual items at knock-down prices. Quality tends to be higher than in thrift shops too as agency owners will generally turn away items that are past their best.
Here's a list of dress agencies in Edinburgh:
Greensleeves, Morningside Road
Trouve, Causewayside Street (nr. The Meadows)
Dazzle, Alva Street, G3
Twice As Nice, Newington Road, EH9
Have YOUR Say
Trouve, Causewayside Street (nr. The Meadows)
Dazzle, Alva Street, G3
Twice As Nice, Newington Road, EH9
Have YOUR Say
Do YOU have any tips on designer bargain-finding in Edinburgh? Post a comment below.....
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