Check it Out: Luxury Shopping Online (Shhh! Keep It a Secret)

Some sites only offer designer women's clothing. Others offer men's, women's and children's fashions. Some offer clothing, accessories and housewares. Ruelala.com also has started selling wine, spa services and 
travel packages.

Each site has a different approach to the sales. For Ruelala.com, members can peruse premier brand, private sale boutiques, each open for just two days. New boutiques open each day at 11 a.m. (EST) and feature merchandise at 50 percent to 80 percent below retail. Gilt.com offers similar markdowns, but sales last 36 hours and feature hand-selected styles from one designer.