As a veteran online shopper, few fashion retailers intrigue me these days. Most blur into stock e-commerce templates peddling mass quantities over distinctive finds.
SSENSE caught my eye back in 2018 when seeking designer sneakers outside the usual suspects. What began as a single impulse splurge snowballed into a 5-year journey uncovering their unmatched blend of coveted brands, cultural commentary and value-driven pricing.
In this extensive SSENSE review packed with photos, I‘ll distill everything potential buyers should know based on my years of repeat orders.
We’ll cover:
- SSENSE’s unique positioning as an e-commerce disruptor
- The incredible designer range spanning luxury to streetwear
- Surprising affordability compared even to big box stores
- Close examination of over 12 top-selling and well-reviewed items
- Aggregated feedback from real SSENSE customers
- Available discount promos, sales and seasonal deals
- All frequently asked questions regarding quality, sizing, shipping etc. answered
- Final verdict on whether SSENSE lives up to their reputation
If exploring an expansive inventory of quality designer fashion at attractive prices intrigues you, read on for the full scoop!
A Quick Intro to SSENSE
Before digging into the details, let‘s set the stage around SSENSE if you‘ve yet to shop them.
SSENSE launched online in 2003 based in Montreal, Canada seeking to disrupt luxury retail. They curate over 400 established and emerging brands rather than hawking private labels.
Beyond clothes, SSENSE stocks accessories, footwear, beauty products and home goods covering the full lifestyle spectrum.
They now serve 150 countries supported by a 1000+ team reporting over $800 million in 2021 revenue.
Yet SSENSE aims to be more than a transactional e-commerce store. They operate at the intersection of fashion, culture and community.
That means showcasing exclusive designer collaborations, publishing style editorials with artistic depth, and engaging audiences rather than merely serving up products.
This formula has proven wildly successful, securing SSENSE a spot among Canada’s five $1 billion “unicorns". Their blended model builds an aspirational destination where you don‘t just shop but immerse yourself browsing emerging creatives.
Now let’s see if the reality lives up the hype…
Truly Endless Designer Inventory
Navigating to SSENSE confronts you with the scope of their designer stable, spanning every genre imaginable.
We‘re talking 400+ luxury brands covering all categories:
Dream labels like Prada, Valentino and Alexander Wang mingle with cult streetwear staples like Stüssy, Jerry Lorenzo and Heron Preston. Lifestyle pieces by BOTTEGA VENETA or THOM BROWNE add versatility.
Hard-to-find independents like Wales Bonner, GmbH or Peter Do share shelves with iconic heritage names like Levi’s, Ralph Lauren and Ray Ban.
Their curation sweeps up every covetable name both enduring and obscure. So beyond the impressive brand breadth, depth in options within brands also astounds.
Perhaps you adore Prada nylon accessories – at SSENSE you can browse pages of items spanning crossbody pouches, messenger bags, belt bags, zip cardholders, AirPod cases, keychains and more.
Riveting colors and fabrications keeping it interesting even if sticking to a beloved designer.
Maybe you ride hard for Jordan’s – SSENSE stocks OG colorways alongside limited collabs, infant sizes to accompany your mini-me hypebeast, apparel pieces that perfectly complement those grails to build head-to-toe looks.
No matter your personal penchant, at SSENSE you’re guaranteed to uncover every variation.
Let’s showcase some best-sellers.
12 Trending Must-Buys
To exhibit the breadth and depth of their wares, here are hot-ticket items flying off virtual shelves in both mens and womens categories:
Standout Styles for Him
Our Legacy Brushed Flannel Shirt
This Our Legacy oversized plaid flannel shirt offers a fresh remix on a casual classic. The slouchy cut combined with textural brushing of the cotton lends modern ruggedness. An easy layer over tees or buttoned up over tanks.
Wales Bonner Organic Cotton Poplin Shirt
Everything Wales Bonner touches exudes luxury ease including this elegant ivory shirt. Meticulous Portuguese craftsmanship, organic fabrication and a price tag under $400 seals the deal.
Marni Crochet Cotton Tank
Resort-ready artisanal vibes shine through this Marni crochet tank. The openwork knit from cotton and metalized yarns makes it breathable enough for beach lounging but still street style mighty when layered.
Standout Styles for Her
GANNI Recycled Polyester Puff Sleeve Dress
GANNI constantly drops irresistible puff sleeve dresses like this electric cobalt midi. The baloon sleeves and subtle babydoll silhouette keep it romantic while the recycled fabrication and exposed back zip nod to Y2K nostalgia.
Wales Bonner Cotton Poplin Ruffle Crop Top
Another sublime offering from Grace Wales Bonner, this crispy cotton crop top delivers sweet yet sexy summer vibes. The self-tie straps, lettuce trim and shirred backAlready make it Pinterest-worthy. The quality mocks pieces quadruple the price.
Jacquemus Belharra Corset Mini Dress
Jacquemus always makes neutral hues feel fresh including this immaculate optic white mini. Architectural lines, a subtly sporty racerback and sweetheart neck plucked straight from a sun-drenched Provence reverie.
I could genuinely continue highlighting mesmerizing goods across both established icons and promising upstarts but hopefully the above snapshots provide a peek into SSENSE’s grip on of-the-moment fashion.
Now comes my favorite part – affordability.
Price Points That Pleasantly Surprise
While SSENSE stocks luxury Labels that retail for thousands, average pricing remains palatable and often hundreds below MSRP.
They accomplish discounts in part by obtaining past-season merchandise sold at clearance to rapidly liquidate. Many items arrive months before appearing marked down elsewhere.
Brand partnerships also grant early access to capsules before full release. Limited quantities allow hypebeasts to score unicorns like impossible-to-buy COLAB sneakers or exclusives from Question Mid, Advisory Board Crystals, Liberal Youth Ministry and more.
Pricing advantages manifest most during frequent sales…
Ongoing Sales & Seasonal Promos
Rather than depending on sporadic sitewide codes, the SSENSE sale section stays stacked. They add 100+ new markdowns daily with over 55,000 items currently discounted as I write this.
We’re talking up to 70% off thousands of latest season products.
Sorting by category reveals the likes of:
- 50% off AMI trousers
- 60% off Saint Laurent hoodies
- 40% off sustainability-focused STAN smith sneakers
- 30% off seafoam LOEWE basket bags
Beyond category promos, daily flash sales introduce 24 hour lightning discounts like extra 15% off select designers.
Come holiday weekends, occasional tiered codes provide dollar-off thresholds:
- $25 off orders above $200
- $75 off above $500
- $150 off above $1000
While seasonal sales don’t adhere to strict schedules, expect ramped up offers around Black Friday through Cyber Monday, post-Christmas, Valentine’s Day, etc.
Whenever you browse, scoring coveted gear hundreds below retail proves the norm rather than exception courtesy of SSENSE’s luxury supply relationships.
What Do Customers Think?
Before copping my first order, I poured over external reviews. Across various platforms, opinions widely reflected my eventual impressions…
The aggregate sentiment is exceedingly positive. On TrustPilot, SSENSE scores an “Excellent” 4.5 out of 5 average across 25,000+ customer ratings.
80% of reviewers assign the full 5 stars. Any complaints focus shallow landing pages not showcasing products accurately or irregular sizing.
A sampling of verbatim feedback:
“The quality of the clothes and accessories from SSENSE are magnificent. Unbeatable prices for luxury fashion!”
“SSENSE offers so many items I haven‘t seen anywhere else online. Their shipping and returns are both quick and easy.”
“Stumbled upon this site searching for a rare designer brand I love but can rarely ever find online.Beyond that one item, was amazed by their selection diversity and tempting prices. Will definitely shop again.”
“Some products don‘t match their images perfectly but overall very cool clothes and styling. Much better prices than sites like Farfetch or Luisa Via Roma with generally faster shipping too.”
As illustrated above, delighted customers far exceed the few reporting inconsistencies. I’ve thankfully never experienced issues myself across 10+ orders.
Key Advantages of SSENSE
For quick reference, prime benefits include:
Inventory Depth & Breadth – From heritage luxury labels to rising independents across clothing, accessories, beauty and home
Competitive Value – Current season designer finds routinely discounted 30-60% cheaper than retail
Sitewide Sales – Thousands of latest pieces with up to 70% off plus daily flash deals
Free Returns – Full refunds up to 30 days post-delivery
Rapid Shipping – Most USA orders arrive under 5 business days
Straightforward Exchanges – Hassle-free replacement of unwanted items
Responsive Service – 24/7 live online chat, email and phone assistance
SSENSE+ Loyalty Rewards – Early access, free expedited delivery, surprise offers and more
Cultural Immersion – Original content expanding perspectives on style, arts, society
On the flip side, some areas for improvement…
Key Disadvantages
No retailer perfectly nails every area, so in fairness here are sporadic critiques:
– Limited Sizing Information – Most listings lack garment measurements to confirm fit
– Rare Shipping Delays – Peak holiday promos can extend delivery lead times
– Seasonal Stock Fluxes – Hot items quickly sell out so procrastination gets punished
– Final Sale Exceptions – Discounted goods labeled “final sale” cannot be returned
– New Launch Restrictions – Early links favor previous high spenders over new customers
However as outlined, most downsides feel minor and solvable relative to the many upsides.
Frequently Asked Questions
For deeper insight before you start filling carts, here are facts addressing key questions:
How Does Sizing Run?
With 400+ labels spanning couture to streetwear, sizing varies widely from brand ethos and geography.
European staples like Acne Studios and Our Legacy lean trim. Numerous Japanese names fit undersized by design.
Streetwear pieces by BAPE, Supreme, Cactus Plant Flea Market etc. mirror oversized silhouettes.
I suggest filtering categories then searching exact brands to read sizing guidance and measurements shared by other buyers for comparison.
What Are Ship Times?
Claims of 7-10 business day delivery to the USA often arrive sooner averaging under 5 in my experience. East coast seems fastest with west coast deliveries spanning 6-8 days.
Canada goose down parkas need more TLC so ship separate and slower. Preorders also take longer pending inventory arrivals.
What Payment Options Exist?
SSENSE accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB, UnionPay and PayPal.
Splitit installment plans spread costs over 3-6 interest-free payments.
BitPay facilitates checkout via cryptocurrency.
Can I Return or Exchange?
Yes – free returns or exchanges are allowed within 30 days of delivery. You simply initiate a return request to receive a shipping label. Once received and inspected, refunds process to original payment.
What Items Can’t Be Returned?
Items labeled “Final Sale” cannot get returned or exchanged. These are typically end-of-season goods priced at deeper discounts.
What Discounts Are Available?
Beyond their everyday value pricing 30-60% off retail, SSENSE offers:
- Up to 70% off thousands of latest items in Sale section
- Special category promos like 25% off DRIES VAN NOTEN
- Daily flash sales with lightning deals
- Dollar-off coupons during peak sales seasons
When Are Best Sales?
Peak promotional periods where stacking coupons atop existing deals maximizes value land around:
- Black Friday / Cyber Week
- Post-ChristmasClearances
- Back-to-School Season
- Pre-Holiday like Thanksgiving/Christmas
Final Verdict: Should You Shop SSENSE?
In this expansive SSENSE review based on five years worth of personal shopping history, I rate them an enthusiastic recommend for anyone interested in discovering incredible fashion at tempting price points.
Their unique position at the intersection of commerce, culture and community creates an engagement exceeding mundane e-commerce. Of course securing coveted gear well below retail doesn’t hurt either.
While instantly gratifying compared to brick-and-mortar luxury boutiques, SSENSE manages to capture a similar aura of discovery landing upon indie designers rarely spotlighted elsewhere.
Browsing feels less like transactional online shopping and more like immersing yourself creatively across disciplines. The wider cultural context proves that fashion transcends simply covering your body.
Despite the criticisms impacting few and far between customers mostly around sizing or inventory availability, SSENSE delivers exceptional bang for your buck supplemented by flexible returns and exchanges.
Overall for the reasons above and many more once experienced first-hand, SSENSE remains a consistent go-to both to procure wardrobe essentials as well as unearth next-gen trends.
I happily award them my highest recommendation and eagerly await whatever unique treasures they’ll introduce me to next!
