For a very long time, most of the high end boutiques have been holding private sales for their preferred customers. But a lot of us just simply are not in their lists. What to do? Should we just keep waiting for the much anticipated annual and semi-annual sales? Just to find that we are left with nothing we fancy and too little of things in the sizes we want once we get into the store.

There has been a surge of online private sales provider in the recent years. Online private sales have been a good alternative to the traditional store sale, as you do not have to come to the store with high hopes and come home disappointed because of the aforementioned reasons. Below are some that I have signed up with.

Gilt Groupe (website)

By invitation only (special thanks to FD member mskellybag who invited me). Geared mostly premium designer apparels. Gilt Groupe consistently lists sale for lusciousValentino dress, Chloe heels and handbags, and Sergio Rossi shoes. Anticipated sale events include Badgley Mischka, Helmut Lang and Edun.

Rue La La (website)

By invitation only (I was invited by a fellow FD Crew dunia_dandan, who I believe, snatched a really nice handbag at a great price herself). Rue La La past events have featured a variety of designers and brands, including Vera Wang, Gucci, Betsey Johnson, to denims (Seven for All Mankind, Citizens for Humanity), to sports-inspired apparel (Puma, Penguin) to housewares.

Hautelook (website)

No invitation needed, but it may be a good idea to ask around if anyone is willing to refer you. Hautelook‘s past notable sales have included Stila (as in makeup), BCBG, Diane von Furstenberg and DecadesTwo (a well-known Los Angeles-based designer consignment store). It features a lot of department store brands of whom the names may not catch your attention right away. But I’ve seen really good stuff floating in the website.

images courtesy of the respective websites and here