Dig It

If the idea of spending over $50 on shoes sounds preposterous, this site is definitely not for you. But perhaps, you’ll undergo a change of heart if those $50 shoes were designed by Michael Kors and had 70 percent knocked off of their $200 tag price.

Gilt Groupe features high-end brands such as Nina Ricci (a French luxury label) and Lanvin (works by Alexander McQueen) and extends to general retailers, like Gant, Puma and Juicy Couture. The names are daunting, and the prices can be discouraging; but the sale prices are enough to make any fashion enthusiast giggle as they steal a $13,000 Rodarte dress for $2,000.

Sunglasses, jewelry, stationary kits, radios, sports gear: it’s like a snobbier Urban Outfitters, with fancier clothing, an elegant look, and a more exclusive feel. (You have to apply for site membership or be invited by a member).

Gilt Groupe was started by Alexis Maybank, a founding member of the online bidding galaxy, eBay, and Alexandra Wilkis, a Fifth Avenue Bulgari and Louis Vuitton employee. It came from the perfect recipe for, as their website says, make “what was once accessible to New Yorkers, accessible to the country.”

Two years since its launch, Gilt holds three separate departments, Gilt, Gilt Fuse (for the younger woman) and Gilt Man. They are also associated with Jetsetter.com, a side project travel planning site. Style editors discuss the in stock items on the Gilt Groupe’s site blog, and you can catch quick background stories of the designers and their work.

The limited, but ample, design brands, which were once thought to be high-end luxuries, are now available through quick, bid-like sales that go from one to three days on holiday occasions.

Things this cheap shouldn’t feel so good. Check out http://gilt.com and bear the Gilt.