1. Members-only designer websites
Members-only websites offer customers the chance to be the first in line for the best designer sales online. Once you've signed up you'll be sent an email alerting you to the start of the sale so you can get straight there and start grabbing those bargains before everyone else. Only ever join a members-only site that offers free registration and it's a good idea to set up a separate email account to avoid a build-up of newsletters and updates in your personal account. There are lots of these sites around but one of the best is Koodos which offers big savings on big names such as Marc Jacobs, Chloe and Dior. When you sign up to become a member you'll get early access to top sales so you can grab the best bargains before they go. All you have to do is check the sale calendar, select the sales you're interested in and Koodos will email you 24hrs before it starts. Brand Alley is also worth a look and members can save between 30% and 70% on top designer labels. You'll even get £10 when you refer a friend who goes on to buy something.
2. Go online for internet gems
The internet should be every fashionista's best friend – buying designer clobber online can save you as much as 80 per cent on top labels. Lots of new trends reflect the fashions of the past, so for retro, vintage clothes and accessories go to eBay and start bidding. Scan the vintage clothes section or go to the women's clothing section and search by period and create your own look - whether you want a 1920s style flapper dress, rockabilly leopard print shoes, or a 1980s bat-wing dress. Fashion Exchange is an online marketplace for all things fashion and works in a similar way to eBay with customers able to place bids on all sorts of high street, designer and vintage treasures. If you're looking for something specific use price comparison sites such as Kelkoo and Foundem to find the best price. Also, when shopping online always check the returns policy. At BooHoo.com, for example, there is a returns process set up with Royal Mail, which allows you to return any unwanted items free of charge.
3. Swap till you drop
Swapping is the ultimate credit crunch solution when it comes to fashion. Keep an eye out for swapping events in your area. Credit card company Visa has teamed up with clothing charity TRAID (Textile Recycling for Aid and International Development) to hold an annual fashion event for people to donate clothes in exchange for points which can then be used to buy other people's clothes at the event. Register at Visaswap.com to find out when the next event will take place. There are also several online swap-shops such as WhatsMineIsYours.com, which was founded in 2004 by stylist and personal shopper Judy Berger. At WhatsMineIsYours visitors can swap, buy and sell fashion items. There are also boutiques selling the wares of up-and-coming new designers and vintage sellers. The website now has over 13,000 regular users so there are plenty of items to choose from. At Bigwardrobe.com you can swap any clothes you don't want and take your pick from other people's virtual wardrobes. Up to 50 items and three pictures per listing can be added for free and when you list an item select the option 'I'm open to all offers' so that people can offer cash, swaps or combos (i.e. combination of cash and clothing and/or accessories) for your clothes.
4. Don't buy - borrow instead!
Got a special event coming up? Don't fork out hundreds of pounds on a designer bag - rent one instead and save a fortune. At Handbagsfromheaven you can opt for Pay As You Go and hire as and when you like with no commitment, or become a member. PAYG costs from £15 per week or £30 per month and membership costs £9.99 per month for guaranteed availability of at least one item within each Collection and 15% off all prices. You must agree to a minimum commitment of three months. Handbaghirehq.co.uk is another site that works in a similar way. First of all you'll need to sign up and fill out a form - membership costs £7.50 per month. Bags can be hired weekly, fortnightly or monthly. The bag is delivered to your door within 1 to 2 working days and can be returned using the special delivery bag which is supplied with your designer bag.
5. Get creative
Before you throw something away see if you can alter or modernise it in any way. Experiment with fabric paints, ribbons and lace to add some shabby chic to your wardrobe. Try shortening a hemline, sewing on quirky buttons or patches. For all sorts of haberdashery gems, including sequins, braids, corsages and cords, visit Bedecked.co.uk and Trimit.net. Also, a simple pack of dye can give you a whole new wardrobe. Update faded clothes or dye them a completely different colour for a new outfit. Cotton, linen and viscose all dye well but any fabric mixed with polyester will result in lighter shades than shown on the dye box. Woollen and silken items should be dyed with a hand fabric dye. If dyeing an item to a lighter shade use a pre-dye product to return the fabric to a neutral colour before adding the new colour.