Ask Angie and others: When is it time to shop for Spring?

Peri

(Sort of a spin off of my Spring T shirt but turns out not really T shirt post!)

How far ahead of season is the best time to shop for a season? I usually don't shop ahead, but I'm taking it as a sign of MAJOR progress thanks to YLF, that I am feeling satisfied with winter and have already identified some Spring needs.

So, this is something I don't know...when is the merchandise at peak choice for a season? For instance, we are in primo sweater wearing weather right now, but sweaters are on sale, picked over and sometimes sold out. Last summer I wanted sandals and was told IN JULY that it was past season to be shopping for sandals.

When should I start to seriously look to fill some Spring holes?

12 years ago

General

5 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Nicole D

Veteran

I would wait until April. I got the itch to early last year and ended up with a few orphans that are now in my consignment or donate piles. Unless you are hard to fit...then if you see what you want, grab it!

12 years ago

Peri

Veteran

Thanks Nicole. I've been there...and would have been there if I had shopped early for winter. I didn't identify my needs until around mid-November and they sort of surprised me!

But this time my question is more a merchandizing one. I know some things I really need and I know what look I'm going for...I just want to know when the stores put the best/most stuff out! I've never shopped early before so I don't really know.

Lately it seems that some brands...Ann Taylor is one...have a new "collection" every month, so the whole concept might be passé. I'm just wondering when merchandizers consider major spring shopping season to begin.

But I do understand your advice...I will definitely hold back some shopping for mid-season. If I can figure out when mid-season actually is!

12 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

I am at the point right now where I am pretty happy with my stuff. So I will buy "as I need". But last year, I had gained a lot of weight, so I knew that there were some staples that I absolutely needed for March ( I am talking I would have been naked....kinda ). So I started looking around in early March for a few things to get me through Spring.

Additionally, I think it depends a bit on where you live if you need things. For me, we can have some warm days in March. So I like to have some cooler tops to wear with jeans. Or some microfishnets to wear with boots and a dress. So for that, you would need a couple things ready by early March. On the other hand, I remember one Spring where it was in the 50s and raining almost the entire month of May. So Nicole's point is a good one, I think.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Resort collections are out now but I think the prime spring buying time is from February to April. With more coming in for high summer around May-June.

Here's Angie's blog post on the subject.

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Suz is spot on.

Peri, it really depends on the item and your climate. If you live in FL, Southern CA, the South, Nevada, and TX, - shop Spring asap - Feb onwards to bypass Resort Collections. If you live in places like Seattle where it only warms up in June - May at best - be careful over the next few months.

That said, retailers have gotten SO much better about providing more insulating items in Spring collections. I love J.Crew's Spring Cashmere, bought a few pieces, and wore them a lot last year. I also stocked up on warm knitwear in Spring colours, light coloured footwear, jeans, and jackets. And in Seattle, a Spring wool coat makes complete sense. I don't purchase soft silk blouses until it's warm because I don't like to layer over them.

I did however do an out of character thing and purchase a Spring coat first week Dec. But I knew I could wear it in Vegas for Xmas.

I hope that makes sense.

12 years ago

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