For a long time I thought that SSENSE was practically the only place to go for luxury clothing and accessories online, to be honest .But over time, when I started my real investigation into other places and reading bloggers’ reviews, I realized that SSENSE is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many other cool sites where I find great stuff with big discounts, convenient terms, and excellent service.
And today, I’m going to share with you all my findings, sites where I’ve ordered myself. I’ll tell you what I liked and also which places you’d better watch out.These are my personal reviews, based on real experience and hundreds of hours of research.
Flannels (ex. Matches Fashion)
If someone asked me, “Where is the best place to buy luxury clothing with normal delivery and no unpleasant surprises?” I would immediately say Flannels.
Why? First of all, it is important to me that all taxes and duties are included in the price. I don’t like it when additional charges suddenly appear when I receive a package — and believe me that doesn’t happen with Flannels.
What I liked:
- Taxes and duties included. This saves a lot of time and hassle, as you can calculate the final price right away.
- Very fast DHL delivery. I remember placing my order and receiving it a couple of days later.
- Easy returns. There was a case when a jacket didn’t fit me and the return process went smoothly without any significant problems.
- Nice packaging. It’s no wonder people like to shop there for gifts — unwrapping them is a pure pleasure.
What could be better:
- prices are sometimes higher than on other websites’ sales
- shipping can be more expensive
Still, the ease of use, fast shipping, and overall shopping experience more than make up for these small drawbacks.
Luisa Via Roma
Luisa Via Roma is my second favorite. I just love how they package and how quickly they process orders.
What I liked:
- Huge selection of brands: they have various brands to offer.
- Cool presentation and packaging. This is an important point for those who appreciate not only the item itself, but also the process of unpacking it.
- Sometimes you can find very rare items.
What could be better:
- taxes and duties are often added separately upon delivery, so you need to be prepared for additional expenses.
- delivery can be a little slower for example if compared with Flannels.
Farfetch
For me, Farfetch is a huge feast for luxury shopaholics. It’s not just a store, but a network of boutiques from all over the world in one place.
What attracts me to Farfetch:
- A huge assortment — it’s hard to imagine how much there is.
- The ability to pay in national currency. I avoid unnecessary currency conversion fees, and that’s a noticeable saving.
- An intuitive interface that is easy to search.
But there are some nuances:
- Items can be from different countries, so delivery times vary greatly. Sometimes you have to wait longer than you expected and wanted.
- Prices and availability depend on the specific boutique; sometimes you see a discount, but the item is no longer available.
- Duties and taxes are not always included, so you will have to pay extra upon receipt.
Yoox
Yoox is my favorite site for hunting for rare and budget-friendly luxury items from past collections.
What I like:
- There are often big discounts on amazing items. Sometimes you can snag brand-name jackets or sweaters at a huge discount.
- The assortment changes every day, so there is always something to look at.
- What makes it unique is that you won’t find the latest collections here, but you can find rarities.
What I disliked:
- Be prepared for the fact that items sell out quickly, so you have to keep an eye on the discounts.
- Sometimes the assortment and prices seem confusing, so you have to compare.
- Delivery can be a little slower than you would like.
Italist
If you are a fan of Italian fashion and brands, Italist is a good option for saving money.
I like:
- Good discounts on Italian brands.
- Large selection, including niche brands.
But be careful:
- Returns from the US and Canada are a real pain, as return shipping fees can be huge. So it’s better to buy something you definitely won’t return
- Reviews of the service are mixed, and some people often complain about long order processing time.
End Clothing
I love this site for its balance between street style and premium brands. It’s somewhere between SSENSE and classic retail: it has Nike with limited collections, A.P.C., and even Maison Margiela. The prices are good, the ordering process is simple, and the packaging is excellent. The only downside is that if you’re not in the UK, shipping and returns may not be the cheapest. So to cut it short, End Clothing is a great store if you’re looking for quality streetwear and contemporary fashion.
Pros:
- They update their assortment and hold sales frequently.
- You can find rare brands that are difficult to find elsewhere.
Cons:
- If you are not from the UK, there may be additional costs for returns.
- Returns via PayPal are sometimes partially reimbursed,but not always complete.
Platforms for Enthusiasts of used items: Vestiaire Collective, The RealReal, and Grailed
If you like the idea of buying second-hand luxury items, these platforms are a godsend.
Advantages
- Excellent authenticity and quality assurance.
- You can find unique models that are no longer produced
- Prices are often lower than for new equivalents.
Disadvantages
- You need to carefully check the condition of the items.
- Sometimes delivery and the purchase process can be quite long
Cettire
I’ve seen a lot of negative reviews about Cettire, so I personally prefer to avoid this place
These are also things I’ve noticed:
- Poor service and return problems
- Many negative comments on Trustpilot.
- Suspicious practice of boost ratings with fake positive reviews
24S
24S is a project from the Louis Vuitton group of companies, which, to be honest, I initially underestimated in vain. You can often find items from AMI Paris, Loewe, Jacquemus, and other fashion brands at their site. The website is comfortable to use especially if you are from Europe because the delivery is fast, and there are no problems with taxes and duties.
Pros:
- A fresh, European take on fashion. Focus on trendy brands like Jacquemus, AMI Paris, Loewe, Jil Sander, etc.
- Excellent logistics. Fast delivery, everything is clear with taxes and duties.
- Minimalist and stylish website. Easy to navigate
- good discounts sometimes even on new collections.
- Good packaging. Everything comes beautifully packaged in a branded box.
Cons:
- The selection of brands isn’t as wide as at SSENSE. Fewer avant-garde and niche brands, hardly any techwear.
- The loyalty program is not as generous as some competitors may have.
MyTheresa and Net-a-Porter
These online luxury giants offer a huge selection, but mostly for international buyers, especially from the US and Canada. Taxes and duties are a separate issue.
- Prices do not include taxes, which must be paid upon delivery, sometimes increasing the cost of the item by 20-30%.
- Returns are also sometimes complicated.
Additional aggregator and discount sites: Gilt, ShadesDaddy, Ashford, Jomashop, Rue La La, ShopPremiumOutlets, Lyst, Shopstyle, Modesens, 260 Sample Sale
I use these sites for specific categories, such as eyewear or watches. They often offer exclusive discounts.
But, honestly, you have to read the reviews carefully and compare prices so you don’t end up badly.
How I save money — Karma app
I use the Karma app not to sit at my computer all day and not to miss out on the best discounts. It automatically tracks prices, notifies me of sales, and offers coupons.
What I liked most:
- Automatic notifications — saves a lot of time.
- Works on both your browser and your phone.
I also use Rakuten for cashback — especially for large purchases, it helps to save extra money.
Conclusion: Where is the best place to buy luxury goods?
It all depends on what you want and what your budget is.
Choose Flannels if fast delivery and no surprises with taxes are important to you.
If you want a great variety of choices and don’t mind waiting, Farfetch and Luisa Via Roma are great options.
If you love hunting for discounts and rare items, Yoox and Italist are here to help.
Vestiaire and The RealReal are the only options for the second-hand items.
And yes, don’t forget to use smart apps like Karma and cashback, which really help you save money and not miss out on great bargains
I hope my tips today will help make your shopping experience more enjoyable and profitable!
