By Jaclyn Smock

As college women, the majority of us can only dream of having a designer-stocked wardrobe like Carrie Bradshaw. However, designer flash sale sites such as Rue La La, HauteLook, Gilt Groupe, and Ideeli have popped up to offer designer goods at discounted prices for those of us with strict budgets. They offer sales from designers ranging from Badgley Mischka to Betsey Johnson.

While these flash sale sites are very accessible, it can get tricky when it comes to snagging your favorite designer duds.  Read on to find out how to navigate these designer sales.


These dream-come-true websites have about three to five designer sales a day. For example, if you love Michael Kors, you would wait until the date they give you for the Michael Kors boutique to open. The designer boutiques are usually open for three days, but if you are in love with a designer, I recommend going on as soon as it opens since these boutiques can sell out fast. Many of these flash sales also have a limit to the amount of time you can keep an item in your shopping cart. For Gilt Groupe, the time limit is only 10 minutes. If you’re sure you will buy a certain designer dud, don’t hesitate.

Rue La La, HauteLook, Gilt Groupe, and Ideeli are members only sites. For some sites, if a friend of yours is a member, they can invite you. If none of your friends are members, you'll have to go to the site and sign up for the waiting list. For other sites, all you need to do is sign up.

Once you are a member, you won’t have to try and recreate runway looks from knock-off clothes. You’ll be wearing the real merchandise. Enjoy strutting down the street wearing Missoni for a fraction of the cost!