Buy jeans now or wait for Black Friday?

Hi everyone!

I am new to YLF myself but with the new perspectives that you all have provided - I feel like I have a lot to purge and rebuild in my wardrobe - especially for the winter! I mostly have dressy tops and dresses and absolutely no basic stuff that can be layered - and same goes with bottoms - I have been living in one pair of jeans and leggings.

So heres my question - I got these awesome fitting Gap jeans (Always Skinny) at full price (80 bucks) - but given how many items I need to buy to feel a little equipped for the winter - I am just wondering if I should return it and wait for Black Friday? To give you a glimpse of my list:

A Moto Jacket (maybe black)
Black Ponte Pants
Basic turtleneck sweaters
One skinny jeans
One bootcut Jeans
A puffer jacket
A bright peacoat
knee length Boots

Do you think I could save substantially on all these items if I wait or you think I should just get started? It sounds silly but I just suddenly know exactly why my wardrobe seems full but I have nothing to wear!

12 years ago

vipanchi

Active Member

Forgot to add - I am mostly a MOTG - and guess I have been buying mostly for a fantasy closet!

JAileen

Veteran

I just bought some turtleneck sweaters yesterday from Lands End. Everything is 30% off with free shipping right now. If they don't work I can return them to Sears.

wow thanks JAileen! hadnt seen those!Will totally go for it and yes - returning to Sears is easy for me too!

peacechick

Fellow newbie here with some of the same problems (postpartum body). Given you have a long list, I'd say wait for sales but if you find something great and within budget along the way, why not grab it? Are you going to wear these awesome jeans all the time until Black Friday? If so, your cost per wear is making up for the sale difference

carter

The Ann Taylor storewide 40% off (+ another 10% if you have their card or give them an email) starts Thursday and runs through Monday. You should be able to pick up at least a few items on your list there.

haha Peacechick ( I hope you are ok if I call you that?) - given what I have right now - I will probably end up living in it until ThanksGiving and beyond! But thanks for reminding me abt the 'cost per wear' way of looking at it - was just wondering if I get it at 50% off on Black Friday, then I could get another faux leather legging I need too! Ugh - thats just me - feel cheated if something I bought goes on sale in two weeks! Even if has the best cost per wear value!

ClaraT

Both Gap and Banana Republic (and Ann Taylor and Loft) have a *lot* of sales. I have a Banana Card (my only store card) and never buy full price at either place (usually 40% off in fact).

So if you have a long list and Gap/BR fit you (and you like their styles), getting a store card may be worth it. (FYI: My Banana card works at Gap/Old Navy/Athleta, too.)

Carter thanks for the head up on that - I love Ann Taylor! You guys are awesome!

Beth

I don't think I'd wait until Black Friday, but I would watch the sales and discounts as they're going on now. If you're not subscribed to Gap's email list, they do send out discount codes on a fairly regular basis. That way you won't have to wait as long:)

Actually, I just checked my email, and there's a Gap code for 35% off. Code is HOL2013, good through today. If you don't see this in time, you can get 25% off for signing up for emails.

Thanks Clara! But I think I will wait a little longer before I get a store card - now that I have just started exploring all the shops with my emerging YLF schooling (I never shopped at Nordstorm coz I thought it was expensive - but I think there maybe specific things and times and ways to do it now!) - might make sense to get a sense of stability in what fits me and doesnt!

Vipanchi, haha I think just like you too about sales. Your point is totally valid, and I guess that with Gap jeans, you don't have to worry about it going out of stock compared to say, the perfect peacoat. Gap has online sales a lot too...

Yay Beth! Thats solves the Gap Jeans problem for sure - If I can pull off the 35% - I can move on without feeling guilty with the next purchases! Thanks!

unfrumped

Hi and welcome. I struggle with this, too, as I've learned it was not working well to buy so many things at the end of a season and perhaps not wear them for months--with rare exceptions such as special occasion wear or the most dependable classic cashmere sweater or something. Then I find my sizes sell out quickly. So I have bought relatively more things at full price than I really would prefer, and of course that will do in the budget.

Then the flip side is when I do shop the sales, as in recent AT hauls, I have to be wary that I may be buying "fall" items (mainly season-limited by whether I run too cold to wear it in actual winter) and then whoops, the item may sit until next fall, and then what if I don't still like it? So I'm really trying to get more season-less, though not temperature-less, meaning, if it's 60 degrees, or 70 degrees, I can figure a way to wear items x and y whether it's April or October,perhaps by footwear and accessory changes. That is what helps with sale-buying. Or you have to be willing to go for the 25% off pre-season/in-season sale and not beat yourself up when the item is later 40-50% off.

I think you certainly could do a lot of retail "research" and scope out who has the things on your list, and be aware of whether they seem to sell out or are readily available, and who's likely to put the item on sale within the month. Some kind of balance may emerge as you determine which things will escape and which things will turn up just in another week or so.

Peacechick - exactly! Being Gap Jeans - which goes on sale often and with no problems of availability - I shouldnt really pay so much! Anything else would have been understandable! There it is! I think thats what I needed to hear!

That makes a lot of retail research and buying sense!! Hoping mine would evolve over time here - to assess the market, my style and then get the most for my buck!

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