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Donning designer can be financially taxing — especially in this uneasy economy.
But Tiffany Radulescu stays fly (and on budget) by routinely flying from NYC to Paris, scoring couture from Prada, Hermès, Loewe and Christian Louboutin — without worrying about the Trump administration’s plans to slap hefty surcharges on foreign fashion.
“I’d rather catch a flight than catch a tariff,” Radulescu, 34, from Brooklyn, told The Post of her haute hack for sidestepping sky-high fees.
The masterful move is catching on with luxe label lovers nationwide.
A newer and unwelcome addition to the average glamour gal’s lexicon, the term “tariff,” government-imposed taxes on imported goods and services, has become like a curse word to those with a penchant for upscale shopping.
Clotheshorses on social media have virally bashed the hefty dues for exceeding the original costs of the commodities they’ve purchased. Companies, such as Walmart, Nike and Macy’s, have even begun hiking the cost of merchandise in an effort to combat the levies.
Some luxury brands — like Hermès, as well as Louis Vuitton — have responded by raising prices in the US to offset the tariffs.
So, rather than paying higher retail prices and more than 20% duties here in America, pennywise women, like Radulescu, are going directly to Europe — where the president has threatened a 50% tariff on all products by July 9 — to snag swag and savings.
During her most recent trip to Gay Paree, which cost the value-minded voyager 55,000 Delta miles for airfare and around $1,300 for lodging, Radulescu saved over $3,500 on swank finery — such as her new Loewe parka.
In the US, the overcoat retails for $2,750, not including taxes and shipping.
“I paid $1,023,” the millennial gushed, adding that shopping aboard also makes her eligible for the Value Added Tax refund — a reimbursement offered on goods purchased in a foreign country.
“I found it at a French outlet for $1,148 and got a VAT refund of $125,” she said, “so I saved over $1,700.”
The frequent flyer, too, landed a deal on the “Evelyne” bag by Hermès ($2,300), a choice accessory on which she saved $580, as well as the imprint’s coveted “Oran” sandals ($920), which granted her an additional savings of $257, a pair of its “Chypre” sandals ($1,050) for a $295 savings and a “Kelly” belt ($1,250) that saved her another $268.
While on the overseas spending spree, Radulescu also bagged cream-colored Prada slingback heels ($1,200), saving $268, and nude “Kate” pumps by Christian Louboutin ($845), on which she saved a cool $169.
The fashion fiend plans to return to the city of lights for her birthday this month. She hopes to acquire a Birkin 25, a plushy pocketbook that can cost upward of $15,000, for a super-sweet steal.
Sandy Saikumar, 25, a cybersecurity expert from Chicago, has had similar success abroad.
“It basically feels like you’re making money,” she joked to The Post.
During her springtime European vacation, the Gen Z bought a Bottega Veneta “Andiamo” purse, which in the US comes with a price tag of approximately $4,950, including tax.
But by traveling to Italy for the must-have and getting the VAT refund, she saved a staggering $1,889.
While in the land of pizza, Saikumar also grabbed a pair of Chanel sunglasses ($605) at a savings of $171 and a Balenciaga “Le City” bag ($3,190) — on which she spared herself an extra $1,063 expense.
After popping over to Paris, where she hit hot shops on the city’s stellar Avenue Montaigne, the savvy shopper procured a Prada cardholder ($468) and saved $155, and Miu Miu “Glimpse” sunglasses ($583) for a $215 savings. She didn’t pay any fees to bring her haul back home, even after declaring each item at the airport. (US Customs and Border Protection does impose a limit on items, which varies by country.)
“People may not understand how the math works when you still have to pay for flights, hotels and food while traveling — then spend all this money on a bag or accessories,” Saikumar conceded. “But, my justification is, at least I get to go to a new country, experience a new culture and get the bag of [my] dreams with significant savings.”
“What I saved in the stores covered a significant portion of my flight and hotel costs,” she said. “My flight to Europe cost $700, and I saved more than that on my Bottega.
“There’s no shot in hell I’m paying tariffs,” Saikumar insisted, adding that she’s journeying back to Europe for the Loewe “Puzzle” bag ($3,850) this summer. “If that means going straight to the source, then so be it.”
For Upper West Sider Izzy Anaya, striking back against tariff terror is as simple as a commute to Chinatown for what she calls “inspired pieces” — otherwise known as knockoffs, or dupes.
Recently crowned as one of the city’s most stylish “Birkin Moms,” the parent of two is proud to have only shelled out $200 for a faux version of the bougie $20,000 carryall.
“I’ve purchased inspired Gucci, Fendi and Yves Saint Laurent pieces,” bragged Anaya, 45.
And after becoming a regular along Canal Street, Anaya even has her own inside contact that can hook her up with the best of the pseudo-spoils, straight from China — even delivering them to her house.
“I have a [guy] who gets me great stuff,” she confessed. “I WhatsApp him what I want, he sends me the price and it gets to me in a few weeks.”
The bargain hunter claims her off-market gold mine hasn’t been tarnished by tariffs — at least not yet.
“What I have noticed is that it shipping takes double the time, and I’m thinking it’s because of the tariffs and import issues,” she groaned. “I used to get stuff in like two weeks. Now [the items are] being held up for five weeks.”
But as long as she eventually gets her hands on the cut-rate couture, she’s good.
“They’re such high-quality,” Anaya bragged. “I can’t tell the difference between my real Gucci and my inspired Gucci bags.
“And neither can the ladies I lunch with on Park Avenue.”
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