For fashion lovers who crave cutting-edge styles from the world‘s top designers, SSENSE has become the go-to online shopping destination. This Montreal-based e-commerce platform carries over 400 luxury, streetwear and avant-garde brands for men, women and kids. With an Instagram following of nearly 900K and features in Vogue, Hypebeast, and The New York Times, SSENSE has established itself as a major player in the global fashion industry.
But what really sets SSENSE apart is their prices. Savvy shoppers can score genuine pieces from labels like Gucci, Prada, and Saint Laurent for 30-70% off retail. Which begs the question: how can SSENSE afford to sell high-end goods so cheaply? Are their products the real deal or just convincing knockoffs?
In this ultimate SSENSE review, we‘ll take a deep dive into the company‘s business practices, product quality, customer feedback, and more to help you decide if SSENSE is legit or too good to be true.
The Secret Behind SSENSE‘s Low Prices
The number one reason SSENSE can offer such steep discounts is that they operate on a unique marketplace model. Instead of buying inventory directly from designers, SSENSE sources its goods from a network of retailers and boutiques across the globe. Many of these suppliers stock the same items, so they undercut each other on price in order to make the sale through SSENSE‘s platform.
Another factor is that SSENSE has lower overhead costs than traditional brick-and-mortar stores. Without expensive leases and large sales staffs to maintain, the company can afford to take a smaller markup on each product sold. These savings get passed on to the consumer in the form of highly competitive pricing.
It‘s also worth noting that a significant portion of SSENSE‘s catalog is made up of past-season merchandise. While you won‘t find the absolute latest collections on their site, you can pick up recently-released styles at newly-reduced prices. For fashion addicts who are happy to stay just behind the trend, these end-of-season sales provide unbeatable value.
Are SSENSE Products Authentic?
Understandably, some shoppers are hesitant to buy luxury goods from a discount retailer for fear of receiving counterfeit items. However, SSENSE is very clear that every product they sell is 100% authentic. The company has direct relationships with brands and authorized distributors, and never purchases from third-party resale markets.
What‘s more, every item goes through a thorough inspection process at SSENSE‘s warehouse before being shipped out to customers. Goods are checked against official brand databases to verify authenticity, and only pieces in perfect, unused condition are sold. Some products even come with an official certificate of authenticity from the designer.
Thanks to these strict quality control measures, you can feel confident that anything you buy from SSENSE is the real deal. The company stands behind its merchandise with a comprehensive Authenticity Guarantee, so in the unlikely event that you receive a fake, you‘ll get your money back.
SSENSE‘s Most Popular Products for Men and Women
Now that we‘ve established SSENSE‘s legitimacy, let‘s take a look at their most sought-after styles. The site‘s selection is vast, ranging from wardrobe staples like denim and sweaters to statement pieces from insider-favorite labels. Here‘s a sampling of their current bestsellers:
For Him
Balenciaga Speed Sneakers – A streetwear icon, these sock-like sneakers feature a stretchy knit upper and sculpted rubber sole. Currently 40% off at $495.
Thom Browne 4-Bar Hoodie – A classic zip-up sweatshirt with Browne‘s signature striped details. Discounted to $573 from $820.
Burberry Vintage Check Shirt – A timeless button-up in the British house‘s iconic check pattern. Marked down to $300 from $520.
Saint Laurent Leather Biker Jacket – The ultimate cool-guy uniform made from supple lambskin leather. A $4500 splurge currently $1000 off.
For Her
Bottega Veneta Mini Pouch Bag – The Italian label‘s cult-favorite clutch done in an adorable miniature size. Now $480, previously $1600.
Ganni Floral Print Wrap Dress – A flirty ruffled frock from the trendy Danish brand. Reduced from $205 to just $82.
Balmain Embellished Denim Jacket – A luxe take on a casual staple with crystal detail. 60% off at $770.
Jimmy Choo Bing 100 Sandals – Sky-high satin mules adorned with an oversized bow. Discounted to $398 from $995.
This is just a small taste of the deep discounts you‘ll find in SSENSE‘s sale section, which includes hundreds of covetable items at up to 70% off every single day. The products featured are always changing, so it pays to check back often – you never know when you‘ll find that designer piece you‘ve been lusting after at an unbeatable price.
What Customers Are Saying
To get a sense of how SSENSE stacks up in terms of customer experience, we analyzed thousands of online reviews from multiple independent sites. While no company is perfect, the overwhelming majority of shoppers report positive experiences with SSENSE.
On Trustpilot, the brand has an excellent rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on over 28,000 reviews. Customers rave about the broad selection, significant discounts, and speedy shipping. "Great prices, fast delivery, easy returns, amazing customer service," one review succinctly puts it.
SSENSE also scores well on sitejabber with a 3.7 star rating. Positive reviews praise the site‘s user-friendly interface, robust filtering options, and helpful product recommendations. "The search function is excellent for narrowing down by size, color, price point, etc. to find exactly what I‘m looking for," writes one satisfied shopper.
Where SSENSE seems to fall short is communication – some buyers report difficulty getting in touch with a service rep to resolve order issues. While the company does offer 24/7 email and chat support, wait times are occasionally longer than expected.
The other main cause for complaint is items selling out lightning-fast during major promotions. Because SSENSE‘s prices are so low, the most popular styles tend to fly off the virtual shelves. Several reviewers express frustration over seeing an item in their size, adding it to cart, and then having it disappear before they can check out.
Luckily, both of these issues are relatively minor and seem to impact only a small percentage of SSENSE‘s customers. By and large, shoppers are thrilled with the impressive deals they‘re able to snag – especially since similar retailers like Net-a-Porter, MATCHESFASHION and FORWARD by Elyse Walker rarely discount more than 30-40%.
Policies, Promos and Perks
Before you start filling your SSENSE cart, here are a few key things to know:
Shipping: Free ground shipping on orders over $300 in the US, $100 in Canada. Expedited options available for a fee.
Returns: Free for customers in the US, Canada and Japan within 30 days of delivery. Items must be in original condition with tags attached. Sale merchandise can be returned for store credit only.
Payment: Accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, Union Pay, Paypal and Apple Pay. Offers Affirm financing for purchases over $50.
Loyalty Program: Earn points on every purchase to unlock VIP perks like free express shipping, early access to sales, and a dedicated personal shopper.
Student Discount: 10% off full-price items for anyone with a valid .edu email address.
Referral Program: Give $25, get $25 when you invite friends to shop with a unique promo code.
At the time of this writing, SSENSE is not offering any sitewide discount codes. However, the retailer releases new promo codes at least once a month, so be sure sign up for the email newsletter to have those deals delivered straight to your inbox.
The Final Verdict
So, is SSENSE legit? After thoroughly evaluating every aspect of the business, we can confidently conclude that SSENSE is the real deal. The company‘s unique marketplace model and meticulous authentication process allow them to sell genuine designer goods at unbeatable prices.
Of course, no retailer is right for everyone. If you‘re the type of shopper who insists on owning the current season‘s hottest looks, you might be underwhelmed by SSENSE‘s selection of last-season items. And if you prefer to build a relationship with a personal sales associate, the lack of a brick-and-mortar store could be a dealbreaker.
But if your priority is scoring authentic luxury fashion at the lowest possible prices, SSENSE should be your first stop on the web. With an enormous selection from top designers, a user-friendly web experience, and an outstanding average discount of 40%, the retailer delivers tremendous value to its customers. Follow them on social media and sign up for email alerts to be the first to know about new product drops and sales events.
No matter your wardrobe needs or budget, you‘re sure to find that special piece to complete your look (at a price that can‘t be beat) at SSENSE. Happy shopping!
