Discover Hawaiian Paradise: Luxury Brands for a Discounted Price

Introduction

I’m excited to share with you one of my guilty pleasures: shopping for authentic designer goods (at a discounted price). Aside from the stunning beaches and hikes, Hawaii also attracts luxury-loving travelers looking to splurge on vacation. The Aloha State offers the “Hawaii price” for some designer brands (ie. Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Saint Laurent, Prada, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, etc). I’ll share how to indulge in luxury at a fraction of the price and a price comparison of a Louis Vuitton handbag purchased in Hawaii compared to the mainland US. 

What's the Hawaii Price?

Compared to the mainland US, the “Hawaii price” discounts designer goods up to 15% on retail price. The markdown varies depending on the brand, the type of good and the specific model. Basically, lower prices (that aren’t available at other locations) are offered because of Hawaii’s unique tax system and other factors like market competition. Now combine that discount with the low tax rate of Hawaii (4.5%), the savings can be significant—especially if you live in a high tax state. 

At the Louis Vuitton Honolulu Gump's Building, the markdown is about 10% for handbags. Again, there are slight variations depending on the model. Overall, I saved ~14% on the adorable  Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandoulière 20 Monogram Empreinte Leather (Cream). Here’s the price comparison of the purchase in Honolulu vs where I live:

Mainland US retail price $2570 + 10.25% tax= $2833

Hawaii retail price $2340 + 4.5% tax= $2445 ($388 or 13.7% less!)

Conclusion

A trip to Hawaii is already a luxury, but adding a discounted Louis Vuitton bag as a souvenir is an awesome perk! If you like to indulge in designer goodies and have a budget-conscious mind, shopping in Hawaii is a nice option if you are planning to go there :)

Tips 

• The store won’t put an item on hold and purchases must be made in store —for the Hawaii price ;)

• Though the price of a designer bag is steep, I like to think of it as an investment. 😉 Designer bags can retain their value over time if you keep it in great condition. One of the ways you can do this is by keeping a felt liner inside to keep it clean. You can buy these on Amazon or Etsy. 

If you enjoy this content (or have feedback), please subscribe to my email list and follow me on @budgetconsciousbabe!

Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandoulière 20 in Monogram Empreinte Leather (Cream)

Check out this cute wall at the Louis Vuitton Honolulu Gump's Building! 😍