'I tried ASOS' hidden sale site where everything is £5 and got a new wardrobe'

01 August 2023 , 12:16

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Amber managed to bag herself plenty of bargains (Image: Amber O'Connor/Daily Mirror)

I love a bargain. I also love fashion. So when ASOS launched a sample sale, last month, I was intrigued. The premise is simple. Everything sold on the website - separate from ASOS.com - costs £5. But you're not getting sub-par products. Instead, the sale, billed as "the last chance to buy the fashion you love", features items previously sold on the main website at a fraction of the cost.

It sounds too good to be true, right? Except, it's legitimate, and I've got the results to prove it. I ventured onto the sample sale website one evening after work and £50 later, I'd purchased ten items.

I ordered 10 items in total (ASOS)

Including this coat I gave to my mum (Amber O'Connor)

Now they've arrived, I'm delighted with my picks, and I'm confident I've bagged the best bargain I'll find all year, even with five months left to go. So if you're curious about the hidden gem sale, read on. I've set out every item I chose and explained why I had a mostly positive experience.

I'll be starting out with my favourite find, a faux leather trench coat. As previously explained, I didn't set out with the aim of finding any particular product. I scrolled through the website's various sections, which include men's and women's clothing, wondering if anything would catch my eye. So I was amazed to find this ASOS Design coat at such a low price point. I've since seen it's still available to buy on the US website for $36 (£28), down from $100 (£78).

I've not replenished my winter wardrobe in years, so the green coat went straight into my bag. It's worth noting it's from the men's section, but I opted for a smaller size and went on my way. Next up, I decided to purchase a jacket from the women's section, thinking it would be good to have another option in case the trench coat didn't fit. Inspired by all the quilted coats I've seen on TikTok lately, I picked a cream quilted jacket.

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I loved all of the boots (Amber O'Connor)

But not the length of this mini dress (Amber O'Connor)

Then I added an oversized graphic t-shirt - again from the men's section - thinking it would be good to wear to the gym, before I moved on to the dress section. From here I selected a mini dress in patchwork floral print, a smock mini dress, and two sets of tie-dye pyjamas. Bold and bright, I wasn't sure what to make of the design, but the PJ sets included shorts and a top for £5, so I couldn't resist purchasing one of the fluffy sets for myself and one for my sister. They'll be perfect for colder months, I reasoned. Provided, of course, that I can bare to opt for bare-legged PJs in the winter.

Last but not least, I ventured to the shoe section where I may or may not have abandoned all sense of reason, purchasing three pairs of boots. I selected a flashy heeled pair and two pairs of Chelsea style boots. But in my defence, I've worn my current pair (not from ASOS) down to the ground. I also try to avoid fast fashion where I can, and whenever I purchase from retailers, I try to look for good quality products I can keep for years. So that's how I ended up purchasing ten items, reasoning I would return anything that did not fit.

I'm going to donate this jacket (Amber O'Connor)

But keep the PJ set (top pictured) (Amber O'Connor)

For reference, delivery costs £3.50 and returns cost £2 - not that I'd know personally, as I haven't returned any of my items. Despite not experiencing the returns system myself, other shoppers who have ordered and sent items back from the sample sale site have said it works just the same as ASOS' normal site - win win.

Not everything looked like I'd hoped when I tried it on, but I was impressed by the style and/ or quality of each piece. The pyjamas were super soft to the touch. The shoes were comfortable and felt sturdy underfoot, and the rest of the products matched my expectations for ASOS quality. In fact, I only had two qualms, meaning I was satisfied with 8/10 products.

My first problem was that the mini dress looked so 'mini' on me that it would be obscene to wear as intended. On the one hand, I think it would show up too short on most people, but I'm also taller than most, so it's partly my own fault for ordering the dress. I plan to wear it as a top with jeans, instead. Secondly, I didn't like the colour of the cream jacket in person but that's a personal preference as opposed to a design flaw, and seeing as it's the only item I'd look to return, I'm planning to save the £2 return fee and donate it to a charity shop.

The website listed all sorts of bargains (ASOS)

As for everything else, I was seriously impressed. So too was my mum, who tried on the green coat, and, much to my dismay, looked better in it that me. Naturally, I decided to give it to her. But if anything that probably counts as a plus for the sale - there's something for everyone. Either way, I'm glad I gave it a go. I practically purchased an entire new winter wardrobe, for less than you can spend on one coat on ASOS' main site.

Unfortunately for keen shoppers, ASOS' sample sale is sold out for the time being. But in better news, customers can subscribe via email to "never miss a drop again" which I'd encourage you to do.

An ASOS spokesperson told the Mirror: "We sold out fast but are planning future drops so watch this space. Be the first to find out by subscribing to ASOS Sample Sale emails".

Amber O'Connor