Tariffs, who cares? I fly to Paris to get my designer fashion — here’s how I actually save money

Trending 3 weeks ago

Donning designer tin beryllium financially taxing — particularly successful this uneasy economy.

But Tiffany Radulescu stays fly (and connected budget) by routinely flying from NYC to Paris, scoring couture from Prada, Hermès, Loewe and Christian Louboutin — without worrying astir nan Trump administration’s plans to slap hefty surcharges connected overseas fashion.

“I’d alternatively drawback a formation than drawback a tariff,” Radulescu, 34, from Brooklyn, told The Post of her haute hack for sidestepping sky-high fees.

Radulescu is among nan increasing number of manner lovers flocking to Europe for designer equipment alternatively than dealing pinch higher unit prices and tariffs successful nan US. Emmy Park for N.Y.Post

The masterful move is catching connected pinch luxe explanation lovers nationwide. 

A newer and unwelcome summation to nan mean glamour gal’s lexicon, nan word “tariff,” government-imposed taxes connected imported equipment and services, has go for illustration a curse connection to those pinch a penchant for upscale shopping. 

Clotheshorses connected societal media person virally bashed nan hefty dues for exceeding nan original costs of nan commodities they’ve purchased. Companies, specified arsenic Walmart, Nike and Macy’s, person moreover begun hiking nan costs of merchandise successful an effort to combat nan levies.  

Some luxury brands — like Hermès, arsenic good as Louis Vuitton — person responded by raising prices successful nan US to offset nan tariffs.

Radulescu spent weeks making a database of nan finery she planned to bargain successful Europe this spring. Emmy Park for N.Y.Post
Radulescu secured superior savings by shopping astatine Hermès successful Paris. Adobe Stock
The moneywise millennial scored basking deals astatine Hermès, Prada and Christian Louboutin successful Paris. Emmy Park for N.Y.Post

So, alternatively than paying higher unit prices and much than 20% duties present successful America, pennywise women, for illustration Radulescu, are going straight to Europe — wherever nan president has threatened a 50% tariff connected each products by July 9 — to snag swag and savings. 

During her astir caller travel to Gay Paree, which costs nan value-minded voyager 55,000 Delta miles for airfare and astir $1,300 for lodging, Radulescu saved complete $3,500 connected swank finery — specified arsenic her caller Loewe parka. 

In nan US, nan overcoat retails for $2,750, not including taxes and shipping. 

Radulescu told The Post that nan Loewe parka was astatine nan apical of her wish list, which featured each of nan goodies she planned to acquisition during her travel overseas successful March. Emmy Park for N.Y.Post

“I paid $1,023,” nan millennial gushed, adding that shopping aboard besides makes her eligible for nan Value Added Tax refund — a reimbursement offered connected equipment purchased successful a overseas country. 

“I recovered it astatine a French outlet for $1,148 and sewage a VAT refund of $125,” she said, “so I saved complete $1,700.”

The predominant flyer, too, landed a woody connected the “Evelyne” container by Hermès ($2,300), a prime accessory connected which she saved $580, arsenic good arsenic nan imprint’s coveted “Oran” sandals ($920), which granted her an further savings of $257, a brace of its “Chypre” sandals ($1,050) for a $295 savings and a “Kelly” loop ($1,250) that saved her different $268.

While connected nan overseas spending spree, Radulescu besides bagged cream-colored Prada slingback heels ($1,200), redeeming $268, and nude “Kate” pumps by Christian Louboutin ($845), connected which she saved a cool $169. 

Radulescu virally declared, “I’ll drawback a formation earlier I drawback a f–king tariff,” to chap manner fans online. Emmy Park for N.Y.Post

The manner fiend plans to return to nan metropolis of lights for her day this month. She hopes to get a Birkin 25, a plushy pocketbook that can costs upward of $15,000, for a super-sweet steal. 

Sandy Saikumar, 25, a cybersecurity master from Chicago, has had akin occurrence abroad. 

“It fundamentally feels for illustration you’re making money,” she joked to The Post. 

Saikumar said she saved nan astir money buying her Bottega container abroad. Courtesy Sandy Saikumar

During her springtime European vacation, nan Gen Z bought a Bottega Veneta “Andiamo” purse, which successful nan US comes pinch a value tag of astir $4,950, including tax. 

But by walking to Italy for nan must-have and getting nan VAT refund, she saved a staggering $1,889. 

While successful nan onshore of pizza, Saikumar besides grabbed a brace of Chanel sunglasses ($605) astatine a savings of $171 and a Balenciaga “Le City” container ($3,190) — on which she spared herself an extra $1,063 expense. 

After popping complete to Paris, wherever she deed basking shops connected nan city’s stellar Avenue Montaigne, nan savvy shopper procured a Prada cardholder ($468) and saved $155, and Miu Miu “Glimpse” sunglasses ($583) for a $215 savings. She didn’t salary immoderate fees to bring her haul backmost home, moreover after declaring each item astatine nan airport. (US Customs and Border Protection does enforce a limit connected items, which varies by country.)

“People whitethorn not understand really nan mathematics useful erstwhile you still person to salary for flights, hotels and nutrient while walking — past walk each this money connected a container aliases accessories,” Saikumar conceded. “But, my justification is, astatine slightest I get to spell to a caller country, acquisition a caller civilization and get nan container of [my] dreams pinch important savings.”

Saikumar said purchasing her purse astatine nan Bottega shop successful Europe heightened her shopping experience. Adobe Stock

“What I saved successful nan stores covered a important information of my formation and edifice costs,” she said. “My formation to Europe costs $700, and I saved much than that connected my Bottega. 

“There’s nary changeable successful hellhole I’m paying tariffs,” Saikumar insisted, adding that she’s journeying backmost to Europe for nan Loewe “Puzzle” container ($3,850) this summer. “If that intends going consecutive to nan source, past truthful beryllium it.”

Saikumar has her bosom group connected scoring different haute handbag during her upcoming travel overseas. Courtesy Sandy Saikumar

For Upper West Sider Izzy Anaya, striking backmost against tariff panic is arsenic elemental arsenic a commute to Chinatown for what she calls “inspired pieces” — otherwise known arsenic knockoffs, aliases dupes.

Recently crowned arsenic 1 of nan city’s astir stylish “Birkin Moms,” nan genitor of 2 is proud to person only shelled retired $200 for a faux type of nan bougie $20,000 carryall.

“I’ve purchased inspired Gucci, Fendi and Yves Saint Laurent pieces,” bragged Anaya, 45. 

Anaya claimed she can’t show nan quality successful value betwixt her faux purses and nan existent deals she has successful her monolithic container collection. Courtesy Izzy Anaya
The Upper West Side mom buys her stylish bags from Chinatown and backstage dealers. Courtesy Izzy Anaya
The manner sheet said her off-market accessories often fool snooty NYC sophisticates. Courtesy Izzy Anaya

And aft becoming a regular on Canal Street, Anaya moreover has her ain wrong interaction that tin hook her up pinch nan champion of nan pseudo-spoils, consecutive from China — moreover delivering them to her house.

“I person a [guy] who gets maine awesome stuff,” she confessed. “I WhatsApp him what I want, he sends maine nan value and it gets to maine successful a fewer weeks.” 

The bargain huntsman claims her off-market golden excavation hasn’t been tarnished by tariffs — astatine slightest not yet. 

“What I person noticed is that it shipping takes double nan time, and I’m reasoning it’s because of nan tariffs and import issues,” she groaned. “I utilized to get worldly successful for illustration 2 weeks. Now [the items are] being held up for 5 weeks.”

Anaya proudly tags herself arsenic “rich” and “cheap,” telling The Post she prefers redeeming money by buying “inspired” designer. Courtesy Izzy Anaya

But arsenic agelong arsenic she yet gets her hands connected nan cut-rate couture, she’s good. 

“They’re specified high-quality,” Anaya bragged. “I can’t show nan quality betwixt my existent Gucci and my inspired Gucci bags.

“And neither tin nan ladies I luncheon pinch connected Park Avenue.”