Have you been bitten yet by the online luxury shopping bug? After all, nothing is sexier than great fashion that you got for a deal!
Make It Better.net has taken a look at three of today’s most popular luxury online sites—Gilt.com, HauteLook.com, and RueLaLa.com—and broken down how they compare.
Gilt.com
The Scoop: Gilt founders took the idea of a New York sample sale and created a gangbuster online site accessible to the whole country. Gilt provides access, by invitation only, to men’s, women’s and children’s fashion and luxury brands (including home, travel and art) at prices up to 70% off retail. Each sale lasts 36 hours and features hand selected styles from a single designer. The full collection of merchandise is available from the start of the sale so buyers are encouraged to log on when the sale starts. Once you become a Gilt member, you’ll receive email alerts that a sale has begun.
Returns: You can return merchandise within 21 days of the shipment date.
Upcoming events: This month, Gilt is having its “Last Call for Summer” sale which will be your last chance to grab summer essentials at a great value.
Get shopping: To become a Gilt member (it’s free to do so!), go to www.gilt.com/makeitbetter.
HauteLook.com
The scoop: A leader in online retail, HauteLook brings the thrill back to shopping through 48-hour sale events with the world’s top fashion, accessories, beauty, kids and home brands. Each day, HauteLook offers discounts of 50-75% off to millions of members in the U.S. and Canada. At various times throughout the year, HauteLook gives you the chance to earn $20 in credit each time you invite a friend to join the shopping site.
Returns: Members can return most items up to 21 days after it ships for account credit.
Upcoming events: July is “Blowout Month” on HauteLook. Blowout events offer even deeper discounts, up to 85 or even 90% off. July will feature 30 blowout events in women’s apparel and accessories like shoes, bags and jewelry, kids’ clothing, home decor and beauty.
Get shopping: You don’t need an invitation to join HauteLook, you can sign up today at hautelook.com. As a special for Make It Better shoppers, HauteLook is giving away three $100 gift cards. Email contest@makeitbetter.net to become eligible to win today!
RueLaLa.com
The scoop: RueLaLa is an exclusive, invitation-only online destination where members shop private sale boutiques, each open for just a brief window of time. The focus is a well-edited collection of sought-after offerings from fashion to spa treatments to luxurious travel destinations—all in one place.
Returns: RueLaLa offers two return options. You may choose to receive either a merchandise credit and free return shipping or a refund to your original form of payment minus return shipping costs. Just make sure the merchandise is returned within 30 days from the date your originally received it.
Upcoming events: RueLaLa thinks of itself as the “buy now, wear now” site. On July 6 and 7, RueLaLa will host “Elle Editor’s Selections: Summer with Kate Davidson Hudson” where Davidson shares her 30 must-haves of summer.
Get shopping: Membership is free and it’s also invitation-only. Members shape the community by inviting new members and getting a $10 RueLaLa Credit when each new friend places their first order. As a special to Make It Better, you can logon to RueLaLa today at www.ruelala.com/vip and join instantly.
