Sales season is here, and it is oh-so-tempting to splurge on all those enticing items with their fantastic low prices! It’s easy to justify the purchases when you add up what you would have paid. The trouble is, these items often lose their magic almost as soon as they get home. Truthfully, I mostly avoid sales. I have learned the hard way that my worst choices have been made in a sale space! I keep myself on a tight rein of shop smart and shop less. Trust me that’s quite a challenge in my job! Despite that, it can still be a good idea to take advantage of the sales. Here is my fail-proof (almost!) method to ride sale season and come out on top!
Like any shopping session, you really should know what is in your wardrobe and you should also have culled the items that have been just taking up space. You should have assessed what feels good in fit and fabric and imagined what else you could pair it with to expand its usefulness for you.
You should always check the return policy for sale items. It may be that there is no refund. Many stores will exchange, but don’t count on it. Do your homework.
In Store Sale Shopping
If you have any heads-up about a sale about to start, it will serve you well to do a pre-sale fitting session. You can take your time going through what’s available, and you should get great service from the sales staff as they won’t be as busy as during the sale. Try things on and be picky about the fit, fabric, and details. Don’t choose items that need tailoring unless it’s a regular issue for you, like leg length or waist resizing. It may sound time consuming but keep in mind how swiftly you will whizz through the sale day!
The key factor to watch for:
The item must be the ideal pairing for other items in your wardrobe. You should know exactly which items you will pair it with. When you get home, you can browse your wardrobe to visualise just how the potential new pieces will work for you, or not.
This is a good time to invest in well-made key pieces like structured trousers, leather jackets, silk blouses and dresses, as well as cashmere in any form, great jeans, and quality leather shoes. Look for those items that your budget just can’t stretch to normally. This is NOT the time for PU leather items, boring T-shirts, average jeans, and anything polyester!
Sometimes when we shop sales, we come across one item that just steals our heart. The said piece has nothing to go with it in the wardrobe, but it makes your sparkle light up. If this is the case, the first check is the fabric and quality. Natural, luxe fabrics are worthwhile investments even in these situations. Next, you must realize that with this gorgeous, but unconnected item you are committing to further shopping to give the item styling possibilities and so keep the magic alive! If it has no ‘friends’ to pair it with, it will soon become a white elephant which brings guilt each time you see it. Perhaps you find an electric blue cashmere scarf. It feels like heaven and you look amazing in it. You will need to begin a buying strategy that brings both complementary and adjacent colors to your wardrobe. No rush, but that is part of the expense. Accept it or don’t buy it.
Be aware that boutiques are unlikely to keep anything aside for you at sale time, and it is unfair to ask that of them. It’s up to you to be at the sale early to swoop in and grab the items that you identified. Big tip: Know what you want. DON’T look at anything else when you go in! Do NOT get caught up in buying fever. That urgency will cloud your judgment. Purchase your items and run! Like the wind! You will thank me later 🙂
