8 New Yorkers on the Fashion Hacks That Save Them Time and Money

If you can live in New York, you can do just about anything. This city, while filled with hopes and dreams, is also filled with way too many people, high price tags, and cringe-worthy weather. Combine all those elements (and then some), and you've got yourself someone who has learned to cut the fat in all areas of their lives. In short, New Yorkers don't have time for any shenanigans whatsoever, and that's what we love about them.

So how does that relate to you and your shopping habits? Sit tight, my friends. Today, you're going to hear from a handful of very stylish New Yorkers on the fashion hacks they've learned over the years that have saved them both time and money. Because if there's one thing New Yorkers know how to do best, it's hack the heck out of life. Including the fashion director of Harper'sBAZAAR.com, Kerry Pieri, and everyone's favorite handbag designer, Susan Alexandra, get ready to take note of the biggest fashion tips these sartorial queens have to offer.

Kerry Pieri, Fashion Director at HarpersBAZAAR.com

“I love getting trend items on Amazon or as vintage versions on Etsy—things like crystal belts, barrettes, headbands, white tights. People assume they’re more expensive than they are, and they arrive super fast!”

Shop trends from Amazon:

Susan Alexandra, Designer

"I am a huge hacker. I find it impossible to buy anything retail price and always wait for pieces to go on sale. I'm also an obsessive vintage shopper. Poshmark and Etsy are my saving graces. I actually really enjoy the hunt. Lately, I have been in the mindset that it's better to alter and adjust my existing clothing rather than opting for new pieces (no waste, am I right?!)."

Shop vintage sale pieces:

Kristen Lam, Social Media Content Manager at Shopbop 

"I love shopping on Heroine for pre-loved designer pieces and love scouring vintage stores for those special, one-of-a-kind pieces. I've found some incredible ones that have been in my closet for years."

Shop vintage designer finds:

Natalie Cantell, Fashion Director at Clique

"Australian and New Zealand designers are obviously awesome and close to my heart, but they're also my hack to finding great steals. Start with the sale tabs (like here on my friend Sara's Sydney-based store The Undone). The opposite seasonality means those spring pieces are marked down at just the time you're starting to shop them up here, and even if you're shopping new-season styles, the super-friendly exchange rate is basically your personal bonus discount code."

Shop Australian and New Zealand designers:

Aya Kanai, Chief Fashion Director at Hearst Women's Fashion Group

“I am always on and off the subway, so I’ve learned that a two-inch heel is the right height for me. I filter for this on shopping sites. Sometimes I can filter for this exact height, or if not, it will often be called mid-heel. All the higher-heeled shoes in my closet that are so pretty to look at never got worn, so I committed to a height that makes sense for me.”

Shop low heels:

Michelle Salem, Brand Manager at Opening Ceremony 

"My favorite fashion hack is definitely two-piece sets. Whether it's a formal suit or tracksuit, having a matching top and bottom instantly gives the impression that you put thought into your outfit, with very little effort."

Shop matching sets:

Gina Marinelli, Freelance Writer and Editor

"This may not count as a hack, but I think that I generally avoid overspending by being thoughtful about the pieces I buy. That means I don't shop much fast-fashion and prefer to invest in pieces that can be translated into more than one season and will maintain their quality for multiple years. I also try to be discerning about which statement pieces speak the most to me and which just seem like a passing Instagram trend."

Shop fun investment pieces:

Nicole Eshaghpour, Market Editor at Who What Wear

"There's nothing I hate more than ruining a good pair of shoes—especially one that I spent a lot of money on. That's why I try to protect my shoes before I even wear them so that I don't have to spend a ton of money on repairing them later or, even worse, have to buy a new pair. For anything that doesn't have a thick rubber sole, I usually get a rubber sole put on at the shoe repair or use these affordable stickers that you can put on yourself. They keep the sole from wearing down and ruining the shoe itself." 

Shop sole stickers: