The OG fashion blogger, Susie Bubble, reveals her 5 best-kept secrets for bargain hunting the best designer pieces
She was one of the first big British bloggers, but Susie Bubble has now carved out a career as one of the world's best-loved fashion influencers.
Whether she's sitting on the front row at fashion week, thoughtfully critiquing the industry's latest talking point, or being papped in the street for her eccentric and much-admired outfits, Susanna Lau has quietly made a name for herself through her innate sense of both self and style.
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Naturally, she's a great shopper. How else could you explain the smorgasbord of incredible pieces she steps out in? Especially during show season.
But how does she, essentially a freelancer, afford it all? Especially with the stringent rules when it comes to #gifts and #spons. We caught up with the style icon to discover her best-kept secrets for bargain-hunting designer pieces...
"I’m an innate bargain hunter", she explains, "always combing online and in person."
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"My bargain hunting skills are definitely honed from experience. I’ve made some pretty bad mistakes in the past, buying things I didn’t need or have never worn. Now I’m more focused."
"My best find is definitely some Prada shoes that were insanely discounted. And most recently a pair of Gucci dragon embroidered boots that were massively reduced - I literally went in asking if they had them and lo and behold, there they were!"
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Susie Bubble's Five Best-Kept Bargain-Hunting Secrets
1. Comb through clothing rails meticulously going through them twice or three times to check you haven’t missed anything.
2. Ask the wonderful staff to see if they have anything “special” hanging in the stockroom that they haven’t put out. For sure they have some hidden treasures!
3. Make friends with the sales staff! I get a WhatsApp update from some of the people who work at Bicester to let me know what has just dropped into store! They can also reserve things for you.
4. It’s only a bargain if it’s something you truly love. So try things on and make sure it’s a piece you will actually wear multiple times - don’t buy something just for the sake of buying something.
5. Double check on the prices! I’ve made the mistake of looking at the tags and not realising there are extra discounts applied on top of the stated price. I missed out on some things that way... so now I always ask.
Susie has curated a bespoke Chinese designer pop-up at Bicester Village to celebrate Chinese New Year. Entitled ‘Celebrating China’, the pop-up features a unique edit of 10 cutting-edge young Chinese designers, and runs from 29 January to 17 February.
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So now you know how to shop, scroll down to discover what we'll all be buying this year...
1. OVERSIZED HATS
If you so much as glanced at your Instagram feed last summer, you no doubt spotted a Jacquemus La Bomba hat. Now entirely synonymous with SS18, it seems brands are vying for similar cult status next season by producing their own delicious incarnations that we already can't get enough of.
Spotted at: Rejina Pyo (left), Xiao Li (centre), Yuhan Wang/Fashion East (right), Ryan Lo and Simone Rocha
2. SENSIBLE SHORTS
Cycling shorts may have stolen the show last year, but - and thank the Lord - next season things are looking a little looser. Tailored, micro, knee-length... skirts may be given a few months off as we all look to the more boyish alternative for our new summer go-to.
Spotted at: Alexa Chung (left), Margaret Howell (centre), Rejina Pyo (right) and Preen by Thornton Bregazzi
3. TIGHT PLEATS
Having had a successful run last year, pleats are back for SS19 but this time they're a whole lot more intricate. Tighter than before, the micro pleat provides maximum impact as it generates not only more movement but also a more fluctuating silhouette as it expands and contracts. Science-y, eh?
Spotted at: Givenchy (left), Preen by Thornton Bregazzi (centre), Balmain (right), Pringle and Roland Mouret
4. TIE-DYE
I know. We were all surprised at the recurrence of this 60s print, but alas it seems tie-dye truly is back in fash. Admittedly, 2019's take on the trend is a hell of a lot chicer. Make like Stella with a no-holds-barred approach and opt for a bold matching two-piece, or - if you're anything like us - you'll likely favour a more subtle beach maxi.
Spotted at: Stella McCartney (left), Prabal Gurung (centre) and R13 (right)
5. FANCY FLATS
While models over at Halpern, Ashish and David Koma were teetering precariously atop stiletto heels, things at Valentino and Simone Rocha were a whole lot more down to earth. About six inches closer to said earth, to be precise. And boy are we looking forward to spending next season in comfy, fancy flats for the sake of #fashun.
Spotted at: Valentino (left), Simone Rocha (centre), Temperley London (right) and Burberry
6. SUMMER WATERPROOFS
If last summer's unpredictable weather taught us anything, it's that you can never be too prepared. So providing you also carry a bikini, sunglasses and knee-high wellington boots with you at all times, these fair-weather waterproofs should serve you well.
Spotted at: Max Mara (left), Marc Jacobs (centre), Jil Sander (right), Sportmax and Etro
7. FRINGING
With last autumn's obsession with the cowboy boot, it was almost inevitable that there would be another Western-inspired trend infiltrating our wardrobes next season. Adorning everything from jackets to skirts via handbags and everything in-between, who knows... maybe we'll be cutting our hair to fit too.
Spotted at: Coach (left), Tom Ford (centre) and Cushnie
8. NEON
Not one for the faint-hearted, vibrant zesty hues are back with a bang this year after endless seasons of the fashion pack drooling over all things pastel. If you're feeling extra brave opt for a double-dose à la Jasper Conran.
Spotted at: Natasha Zinko (left), Jasper Conran (centre), Roksanda (right), Rejina Pyo, House of Holland and Ashish
9. PUFFED SHOULDERS
Bold shoulders are no new thing, but rather than padded, boxy numbers, next season's take is a whole lot puffier. Often gathered at the shoulder with pleats of elastic, they work particularly well with square necklines on feminine dresses. Here's hoping the weather allows us to forgo a jacket, or that volume could provide a stumbling block.
Spotted at: Brock Collection (left), Rodarte (centre), Saint Laurent (right), Mara Hoffman and Preen by Thornton Bregazzi
10. SEQUINS
Have sequins ever not been on trend? Perhaps not, but they were so prevalent at this month's shows that we can't ignore them. Offered up in endless incarnations, opt for a more gently beaded style - like Ashish's mint green jumpsuit - for a friend's birthday dinner, before swapping into blindingly glitzy Halpern-like number for your own.
Spotted at: Ashish (left), Halpern (centre), House of Holland (right), David Koma and Roberta Einer
