Sydneysiders (Women) Where Do You Buy High-End Clothes?

LUser210686 on 28/10/2017 - 13:27

I need guidance from fashionistas on the off chance that they might be on this forum…

Since I've moved to Australia, I'm having trouble buying international designers' clothes and shoes. Marked up prices are one but availability/selection is another. Many brands don't even have stores in Australia and don't offer shipping to Australia either.

There are online retailers such as net-a-porter, mytheresa, matches, farfetch, etc. but they have atrocious reviews that can't be ignored (fake, used items, dishonored return&refund issues) and even department stores (bergdorf, barneys, asks, NM) have somewhat similar reviews, so I've given up on buying clothes online. Buying Jimmy Choo from their online store is probably the only exception but only when I know my size for a particular pair of shoes I'm buying. Still buying online is a bit risky in that the goods may be defect or lost/stolen in transit.

David Jones in the city carries Saint Laurent and a few other premium designers' clothing but selection is poor to say the least. The same thing can be said about select shops like Parlour X and Harrold's.

I like Valentino, Prada, Balmain, Gucci, Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana, Miu Miu, Emilio Pucci, Altuzarra, Oscar De La Renta, Alessandro Rich…and more.

Fashion & Apparel

Comments

  • brokeunistudent on 28/10/2017 - 13:46
    +14

    Are you dating the Westpac dude?

    • User210686 on 29/10/2017 - 08:20

      I don't date below my caliber lol

      • smashed on 29/10/2017 - 09:53
        +3

        Calibre?

        • manshrew on 30/10/2017 - 14:13

          By "caliber," of course, I refer to both the size of their gun barrels and the high quality of their characters… Two meanings… caliber… it's a homonym… Forget it.

      • Scab on 29/10/2017 - 12:36

        My calibre is 12-gauge.

  • hmac on 28/10/2017 - 14:15
    +1

    Not sure if you have explored the city, but a lot of the brands you mentioned are available! Many even have stores! Maybe have a look at David Jones again and even Myer!

  • ZippyRoo on 28/10/2017 - 14:36
    +2

    I live in Melbourne, but I would think that Sydney should have more stock and more shops anyway. For international designer brands, David Jones will probably have to be your best bet, but even then, you'll find their selection very minimal compared to America, Europe, or Asia. Many brands you mentioned now have their own stand-alone stores, so you should have some broader choices there if you shop around. Since you're in Australia now, why not support local Australian designers? They make equally as beautiful clothes but people in other continents are not going to be able to get their hands on. You can also engage the service from a David Jones personal shopper to help you source the things you need.

    • User210686 on 29/10/2017 - 08:29

      Oh absolutely - I recently bought a Zimmermann dress. Ellery has some nice dresses as well.

      I'm jealous that you have D&G in Melbourne… there was an article on financial reviews about international designers opening stores in Sydney by end of 2017 (maybe was end of FY17), so I'm crossing my fingers. Apparently the penetration rate here is only around 50% not surprisingly.
      Tourists from China spend so much on designer's brands when they visit here, so the profit mergins for these premium designers are much higher in Australia not to mention the retail space is cheaper compared to Hong Kong or other international cities.

      I engage my friends and mother as my personal shopper to help me.

      • ZippyRoo on 29/10/2017 - 11:14

        I think because of the expansion in Chaddy, a lot of stores decided to open in Melbourne first. There's going to be another D&G boutique in Chaddy opening soon! I'm so excited, I love their stuff.

        Also, don't post on Whirlpool, you're probably not going to get much advise there, probably better to ask on Purseforum if you haven't already gone there.

  • bottletop on 28/10/2017 - 16:23
    +5

    Serious question here…why do people buy such high-end items? Is the quality that much better or is it more for status, etc? I can't tell if someone is wearing a $200 or $2000 dress…

    • User210686 on 29/10/2017 - 08:34

      I also have shirts from H&M but the quality is so bad. Spending $4K+ for a dress doesn't always make sense but spending a min of $700 gets you decent quality and they last longer and fabrics feel better.

      • bottletop on 29/10/2017 - 09:07
        -1

        I understand the quality may be better but if I buy a shirt from H&M for $10 and it only lasts for 6 months, I'll just go and back another one.

      • Quagles on 29/10/2017 - 09:49
        +3

        Alot of that is mental. The idea that you spent x dollars so it must be better quality. Not always the case. It's usually just buying a name.

      • smashed on 29/10/2017 - 09:53
        -1

        What a load of rubbish

    • anastasiastarz on 03/11/2017 - 03:57

      Because they have that kinda money to spend. I love my $300 Review dresses, but I get them for $100 at the outlet and they're quality stuff. Lined and with shoulder straps to hide your other straps. It's the opposite of fashion fashion which is what most girls are wearing, still that's designed for a season.

  • [Deactivated] on 28/10/2017 - 16:56
    +2

    I like Valentino, Prada, Balmain, Gucci, Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana, Miu Miu, Emilio Pucci, Altuzarra, Oscar De La Renta, Alessandro Rich…and more.

    Serious question. Why do you like these?

    • User210686 on 29/10/2017 - 08:36

      For their designs, quality, fit, etc.

  • Marcsie on 28/10/2017 - 17:02
    +1

    High-end clothes for High-end people ? lol

  • afoveht on 28/10/2017 - 17:04

    IMO Australia has, for many product categories, a limited range of items available locally when compared to many other countries particularly those in Europe and USA / Canada. And lots more expensive too.

    (Getting ready now for the "we have great beaches", "higher minimum wage" , "love it or leave it" responses.)

    • wordplay on 28/10/2017 - 18:14
      +2

      we don't want those overpriced euro-trash stores coming in here. There is nothing wrong with the range of clothes available here, surely if you can afford those type of clothes its probably worthwhile to just fly to Europe/USA/canada and select from the fashion houses you like with a better range at cheaper prices.

      • afoveht on 28/10/2017 - 18:34

        The issue is general and not specific to the brands the OP mentioned.

        I don't care for these or other "designer" brands either but I hardly think your or my preferences speak for what "we don't want."

    • User210686 on 29/10/2017 - 08:39

      Yes I know. First world problem. Was hoping to get some insight as to where to shop but I already knew the answer to my question I guess.
      Interestingly though Jimmy Choo might be comparable or even cheaper in Australia at the moment.

  • wordplay on 28/10/2017 - 18:11
    +4

    I am an oz bargain member, I Don't and won't shop for any of those brands, I buy my clothes at op-shops and online.
    try somewhere like the vogue forums for expensive clothes shopping advice, I doubt anyone here would be buying those sort of items. though sometimes there are large savings to be had at end of season sales (ie. $2000 shirts for $700 - but I still can't justify the price despite the savings)

    • jbmb on 28/10/2017 - 18:39
      +1

      lol u beat me to it

  • Nutrino on 28/10/2017 - 20:14
    +1

    My heart goes out to your predicament, I'm sure there is a support group for this ailment. The support number eludes me.

  • robbo135 on 28/10/2017 - 21:31
    +11

    Can anyone say troll…

    You like "Valentino, Prada, Balmain, Gucci, Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana, Miu Miu, Emilio Pucci, Altuzarra, Oscar De La Renta, Alessandro Rich…and more"

    But you come to a site where members get excited over $5 socks https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/338295

    • gummibear on 28/10/2017 - 23:31

      I was just about to ask if OP was a troll also, you saved me the effort.

    • User210686 on 29/10/2017 - 08:44

      lol ironic isn't it? I said that to myself. I was going to post this on whirlpool but just wanted to get my question exposed to a wider audience. I was desperate when I posted this question lol

      • robbo135 on 29/10/2017 - 09:55
        +1

        I'm surprised you don't have minions doing the shopping for you…

  • irdonn on 28/10/2017 - 22:58
    +4

    Do you like lambos?

    • User210686 on 29/10/2017 - 08:46

      I wouldn't drive one but was nice to be driven in. Didn't get to experience its true performance in traffic heavy Manhattan streets though.

      • Drj55 on 29/10/2017 - 12:36

        Haha caught out. Even I know they're shoes!

    • Scab on 29/10/2017 - 12:37
      +3

      I've been in few ambos, does that count?

  • chumlee on 29/10/2017 - 09:12
    +4

    Try kirkland brand

  • GourmetFoodie on 04/11/2017 - 17:30

    I'm surprised Sydney does not have many of these brands you mention as standalone stores in the Westfield malls in Sydney? Otherwise fly down to Melbourne's Chadstone.

    Honestly though, NAP, Matches etc….amazing selection and brilliant return policy.

    • kerfuffle on 04/11/2017 - 18:59

      Only in the city itself. Our closest equivalent of Chadstone would probably be Bondi Junction but Bondi Junction is more a Doncaster rather than a Chadstone

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