End of season sales: do you bite?

agrace

When these mega end of season sales start happening, I feel so overwhelmed because I know I cannot get to all of the stores. But the lure of the bargain calls so loudly to me.

What are your strategies for dealing with these end of season sales? Do you make a list and stick to it or keep an open mind for bargains?

IF I do go shopping, I think it will have to be with a very specific list. Otherwise, it's just too darn overwhelming.

15 years ago

Shopping

17 replies

Latest reply was from londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It depends where you are with your style. If Summer is your dominant season - you should bite. If you've waited for the sales - you should bite. If wardrobe gaps need filling - you should bite.

But keep your purchasing decisions savvy. There are many bargains throughout the year.

I am not biting.

15 years ago

agrace

Active Member

Must....be....strong.
Thanks, Angie. Honestly, I'm about 50/50 with seasons here with literally half the year being nasty hot and the other half pretty cold.

Off the top of my head, I know I could use:

-pair of walkshort/ clamdiggers in dark denim color
-would LOVE a pair of properly ruched capris that actually cinch in the proper location
-still need some good MOTG sandals
-another swimsuit

Really, beyond that it is all just non necessities. So perhaps I should make it a point to look for these things.

15 years ago

Anonymous

I'm biting only if it's to fill a hole or I find items that can carry over into fall. I just placed a big order with Boden (sale started today) for tops for my boys ... all long sleeves ... and two dresses for myself (although one's a shirt dress that will hopefully carry over) and a pair of yellow flats. All things I've been looking for.

15 years ago

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

It only just got hot here in Chicago, and will be so at least through September. Except for sandals, I had not stocked up for summer before this week so I am taking advantage of the sales to expand my wardrobe into more skirts and tops, and more casual gear.

15 years ago

Debbie

Veteran

Summer is the dominant season here so if I were to find something I would bite. I would like to have one more pair of sandals and another dress. I'm still looking for a turquoise bag but feel that its just not going to happen.

15 years ago

Veteran

I luv to buy for fall and winter because the items are more interesting and I luv to layer. However, my dominant season is summer and so I'm making more of an effort to shop for the heat. So, yes, I am looking for current morsels to chomp on!

I TRY to shop with a list, but I get so side tracked when there are sales everywhere. I usually do better with a list in-between sales.

The only store that seems to overwhelm me is Forever 21.

15 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

I say shop with a list and buy only 1 splurge/non list item. This way you stay focused but don't feel suffocated either.

15 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I'm still working on my summer wardrobe, and since summer is my dominant season I need to fill up those gaps before summer stuff disappears from the stores! I am trying to stick more to a list these days, though.

15 years ago

Traci

Veteran

Whew! I went to the mall today and I bit. It was too good. I planned on hitting Loft because of their 40% off sale, but I found a parking spot at the other end of the mall. When I came in, I noticed an extra % off sale at BR, so I stopped in. I've had no luck there the last few times I've been in, but today I did well.

I got this skirt, http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....=745968012
in the black combo, a camp shirt, tank top, this adorable purse in cognac
http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....=719803002 and a black ponte sheath dress to fill in for a dress I had been coveting at Ann Taylor, but didn't want to drop the money for.

I left BR and stopped in Ann Taylor to visit my dress. It had been marked down to final clearance and was only $39! I snatched it up and returned the BR dress.

Then GAP called to me with their 40% off markdowns. I noticed they finally had the denim sundress in the store and it was already marked down, so I grabbed two and tried it on. I don't think I would have tried it on my own, but after someone here mentioned how cute it would be with boots and a cream colored turtleneck, I was curious. I tried it, and loved it.

By the time I was done at GAP, I had spent all the money I was comfortable spending today, so I left before I even made it to the second half of the mall. I'm heading back to GAP tonight with my oldest daughter so she can try on jeans. They had a whole wall of clearance jeans, so I'm thinking an early back to school shopping trip is in order.

I felt like pretty much everything I bought could be layered in the fall, and winter. I didn't really buy any easy breezy summery feeling pieces, so I felt good about it all.

15 years ago

agrace

Active Member

Traci,
What you bought is a GREAT example of really taking advantage of these sales - that dress and saddle bag alone are perfect and will be useful for years.
I'm curious about the Gap sundress - is it the one Rosie was talking about getting? The one with criss cross straps in the back?

15 years ago

Traci

Veteran

Yep, that was the one. I didn't think it would suit me, but it fit really well. I may overdye it, but either way, I think it will be very fun in the fall. I actually think of it as more of a fall piece than a summer piece already.

15 years ago

agrace

Active Member

Traci, the reviews online said it was a heavier fabric than expected so that may be another reason it will be great in the Fall. Well, now I'm intrigued to try it on for sure.

I'm curious about the ponte knit at BR - do you have a link to that?

To me, the fact that you bought plain black, plain denim and cognac leather - all such great quality basics - now those are good reasons to get out of the house and get to these sales!

15 years ago

Traci

Veteran

This is the BR one:
http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....=746436002
The fabric was so thick and soft and yummy. It almost felt like a nightgown. I didn't love the sleeves, though.

This is the one I traded it for:
http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....pe=Regular

You can't pick up the detailing in the pictures, but it has a neat asymmetrical seaming across the midriff. I also really liked the way the shoulders cut in slightly. It was very flattering to my shoulders. I might post a picture soon to get votes on whether I need to shorten it an inch or two, or not.

15 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Usually no but this season yes, we are having a late summer beach holiday so the sales will be perfect time to complete my holiday capsule.

15 years ago

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Yes, but normally for staple items that I am missing.

15 years ago

anne

Veteran

I'm with Fi now - more like things I have not got around to getting at the beginning of the season.
A few years ago I tried to do my main shopping at the sales and was often frustrated by not being able to find stuff in my size!

15 years ago

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

The other thing that I like shopping for is lingere. Especially for brands that I know my size in and I normally like to do this on line.

15 years ago

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