Best time to shop for fall/winter?

rachelthrives

It's my first time attempting to do a "seasonal shop," so I'm not exactly sure how to go about it! Apart from early promotions like the NAS sale, when is the best time to start shopping for fall/winter? I've got several things on my list that don't seem to be in stores in any quantity yet, like a trenchcoat.

8 years ago

Shopping

10 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

rachylou

Veteran

Angie did this post: https://youlookfab.com/2012/08.....he-season/

I found it very helpful, because I had the same question. Certain things are only available at certain times!

8 years ago

always trying

Veteran

The past two spring/summer seasons I took Angie"s advise and shopped early. very happy I did so. As for fall season I generally don't do that as we have so much hot weather thru October. I also find there are a lot of sales and holiday specials that I do more of mine in November. Also this is a longer season and mostly there are good bargains to be found later in the season.

8 years ago

Author Linda

Veteran

I too took Angie's advice to shop early this last couple of seasons and am very happy doing so. For me it means being able to shop while the best merchandise is still available in my size. I can always pick up something later if I see a "must have." Shopping early, in February, works perfectly for spring/summer, For fall/winter, I pace myself more and buy throughout the season, but most in July and August.

8 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

The last paragraph of that post is how I do it.
Is a trenchcoat winter merch? What season items are stocked in depends more on the internal logic of the industry than on what's needed in the area where things are retailed.

8 years ago

plonkee

Active Member

I'm in the UK. I find work wear and trench coats start in Sept. Winter coats (and Xmas decorations) October and cocktail dresses (and Xmas jumpers) in November. Flat black shoes that teenagers could wear to school flood the shops from now until early September. We have another refresh of merchandise in January but it's not as comprehensive. Spring/summer starts in March but is best in April.

8 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

I always shop early for the best selection. For fall I shop NAS and then try to fill in my holes by Sept 1, which is when I start wearing my fall capsule wardrobe. For winter clothes I pick up replacement sweaters (if not from NAS) during October/November when the sales pick up again. I usually avoid spring collections because I'm always cold anyway and go right for summer by maybe April or so. So I'm always shopping earlier than the weather in my area.

8 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

It likely depends on where you live and the seasons there, as stores do adapt somewhat to local climate patterns. I'd say right now is a great time to start looking for fall if you're in North America; proper winter stuff won't be that well stocked until October-ish. Right now's a bit of an interregnum, as the big summer sales and back-to-school are mostly through, but we haven't started the grand trudge toward Christmas yet.

8 years ago

Mary More

(website)

Active Member

The best time to go shopping is toward the finish of winter late January, early February and toward the finish of summer late August, early September to discover incredible arrangements.

8 years ago

rachelthrives

Active Member

Thanks, everyone! Rachylou and others, I had read that post but still somehow got confused? I think I didn't really register the part in the last paragraph, which is very clear!

I'm in North America (Chicago, to be exact). When I looked around in early August, I was finding basically no outerwear, which is one of my big needs right now. Sounds like I might have more luck now or in a couple of weeks!

I'm also looking for some skirts, which were very thin on the ground, but I think that might be a longer-term retail trend rather than a seasonal thing.

Laura, I love the phrase "grand trudge" towards Christmas!

8 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I am a HUGE believer in shopping early in the season - giving it a rest when you're done - and wearing the heck out of your clothes till it's time to refresh for the next season.

For Autumn & Winter, the NAS is a unique place to start in July. Give it a rest in August. Start stocking up in mid Sept, Oct and Nov BEFORE Thanksgiving. After that there is lots on sale, lots of party wear, but small sizes are gone and so are colours and cherries - unless your lucky. I'm usually done by Nov, unless I top up a little and need a party dress.

8 years ago

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