Designer Christmas

Bargains galore plus a chance for you to make some cash from your own closet at the big Christmas Preloved Designer Sale

The Preloved Designer Sale is back in time for some bargain-hunting Christmas shopping. How do you fancy wearing a Vivienne Westwood dress for a fraction of the original price at this year’s Christmas party? Or how about adding an Alexander McQueen scarf to your present list and impressing your friends and family without breaking the bank?

The pre Christmas Preloved Designer Sale promises everything from All Saints and Whistles to Prada, Chloe, Marc Jacobs and Stella McCartney. The list goes on, including Mulberry bags and Christian Louboutin shoes. Plus you could make some extra cash for the festive period by selling the high-end, high street and designer pieces you no longer wear. So get clearing out your closet and turn those unworn clothes into cash for Christmas.

The Preloved Designer Sale visits Brighton just a few times a year. It’s the only sale in the country where you can both buy and sell pre-loved designer womenswear. It’s a large one-off sale, with over a thousand pieces up for grabs, meaning there’s something for everyone.

Katie Carne, organiser of the sales, came up with the concept after quitting her job as a TV producer. She wanted to provide somewhere you could not only buy beautiful designer clothes at affordable prices but also make some cash from the clothes you no longer wear without it being a hassle.

“Everyone’s watching their pennies more now, but it doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style,” says Katie. “We give you the chance to reinvent your wardrobe without having to spend a fortune.”

Katie’s aim was to provide a shopping heaven after her own heart. “I always thought it would be nice to have somewhere you could sell your pre-loved pieces that was quick and easy and also buy on trend designer clothes without feeling guilty! I knew I would love to shop somewhere like that, so thought other women would too.”

So are you a seller, a buyer or both?
Here’s a quick sellers guide on how to make some cash before Christmas:

• Go through your wardrobe and have a clear out of the pieces you no longer wear. Maybe it’s a dress that no longer fits, an impulse buy coat, or a present you’ve never used. The golden rule is if you haven’t worn it in the last one to two years you probably aren’t going to and it will just sit there collecting dust.
• Simply take the pieces down to one of the collection days listed and The Preloved Designer Sale team will do the rest. They will sell your high-end, high street and designer pieces including handbags, shoes and accessories, giving you 50 per cent of the sale price. All you have to do is collect your money a week later.

“Everyone has such busy lives and we wanted to make it as simple as possible,” says Katie. “It’s a quick turnaround. You bring your clothes in one week and get your cash the next.”

At previous sales, clients have made hundreds, some even thousands of pounds in just one weekend.

And now for the best bit: the weekend sale. Ever fancied raiding the wardrobe of your favourite celebrity or scouring through a stylist’s closet? With a client list including the rich, famous and fashionable you can be sure to grab a bargain.

Kicking off with a shopping evening on the Friday night and then continuing all day Saturday and Sunday, it’s a one-stop shop for bargains galore.

“We have a brilliant mix of clients, from the celebrities who sell off their wardrobes, to the normal woman who is just clearing out her closet,” says Katie.

“And with rails and rails of clothes, bags and shoes there is something for everyone. Prices start from just £5 and include gorgeous Whistles and Reiss dresses for £20 to £30, up to exclusive Alexander McQueen and Prada with up to 90 per cent off the original price.

“We often get pieces that are current season and still in the shops now, or only six months old, as well as classic staple pieces that are timeless.”

Here’s a sneak peek: at the next sale they already have Mulberry bags coming in, worn once Christian Louboutin shoes and some original 1960s Biba!

If you want to sell clothes drop them off at The Thistle Hotel, Brighton on Monday 19, Tuesday 20 and Thursday 22 November between 10am and 5pm, plus late night Wednesday 21 November 10am–8pm.

The Preloved Designer Sale is held at The Thistle Hotel, Brighton, Friday 23 November, 6pm–9pm and Saturday 24–Sunday 25 November, 10am–6pm.

Call Katie for more information on 07970 682 892, www.preloveddesignersale.co.uk