NAS strategy! - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

NAS strategy!

Maya

Veteran

I'm SO EXCITED for NAS it's actually rather pathetic. What can I say...the first peek of autumn collections always makes me giddy with delight.

Since NAS is supposed to be a time to focus on statement pieces and investments, I'm trying to come up with a strategy so I don't get overwhelmed and sidetracked...which is sadly all too easy for me (I think I have shopping ADD). Obviously, my idea of "investment" is probably not the same as a lot of the NAS veterans (Sandy, Angie, Laura, etc.), but I am hoping to find a few things that are a cut above what I usually go for.

I think the two things I want most are a pair of killer boots that I will love all winter and for many winters to come, and some kind of on-trend jacket. Failing that, oxfords are my next pick. Wintery frocks are also on the list. Now that I've gone frockwise for the summer, I don't know if I could ever go back. I don't expect to come away with all of these things or even most. If I just find one pair of killer boots and nothing else, I'll be happy.

What departments should I focus on? I am not really a regular Nordies customer so their departments are a little confusing for me.

Shopping

36 replies

Latest reply was from londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Ariadne

Veteran

I'm so happy I came back to YLF before NAS! Can't wait to hear the advice you get, Maya, because I'm listening too.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I *hope* it's a fab sale. They aren't always fabulous, but last years was the best ever - right in the middle of a recession too. Very interesting.

You have to get to stores as well as hop online if you aren't pre-selecting. The selection is bigger in stores. Buy a lot at first glance and be decisive later (with YLF help). Small sizes go fast and they will be gone if you dawdle. I am speaking from experience. Buyers under-buy on small sizes because they do not want to sit with them. This makes the demand for small sizes higher than the supply. Again, I'm speaking from experience :0)

I'm pre-selecting all week (for myself and for clients) and will bring back my take on the sale soon. I'll also have a blog post of what to go for on 16th July when the sale starts.

Keep on revisiting the sale online and in stores if you can. Even NAS veterans like myself miss fab stuff the first time round because there is so much to take in. I only discovered our all time favourite Star Ling boots after my third pre-selection client appointment!

As much as you need a rudimentary plan for what you are looking for, it's a better idea to be flexible. Whenever I went in with an item-plan, I was initially disappointed, but got other killer stuff a few hours later.

All my NAS purchases have been wardrobe favourites and are still going strong. That includes bags, hose and accessories too.

Maya, even though I encourage going for the better-end stuff at NAS time, you should absolutely have fun in the Junior department. It's often like the best of H&M and Urbanoutfitters on steroids.

Maya

Veteran

This sounds exhausting already! I am a very methodical shopper so the idea of shopping without a plan scares me. Maybe I should have waited to lose weight until after NAS so my size would have been more abundant!

Well, my most comfy boots did come from BP last year, so I am not closed to that at all.

Lisa

Veteran

Oh boy! I am so excited about NAS. I guess I will be stalking my local Nordie's as well as online.

Maya-I plan to make a list of 5 must have items I want to add for fall/winter. And set aside a budget to spend. I'll keep an eye out for those 5 but if something else sings to my heart I won't turn it down. The budget part will stay intact unless there is something I would need resuscitation if I did not buy it. This is the only way I can think of to not get overwhelmed. I am hoping Angie's list helps narrow it down too.

MNsara

Veteran

FWIW - there has been NAS discussion on TPF for a while now, and recently the (mostly) young ladies have been reporting back from their presale appointments.

Someone posted a few pics from her NAS catalog, and there is one showing the NAS FRYE boots . . .

the whole 24 page thread is at:
http://forum.purseblog.com/dea.....91331.html

the post with the Frye pic is on page 23:

http://forum.purseblog.com/dea.....31-23.html

throughout the thread there is a fair amount of discussion about getting access to the presale (more of it in the last pages) and remember this is a purse forum so there is a LOT of purse discussion (by young ladies who probably spend WAY more than they should

Anyway, it might be interesting as you plan. . .

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Perfect strategy, Lisa. I'm excited for you too :0)

I put a lot of personal emphasis on this sale because it's the only sale that excites me. Most of the stuff is better-end, it's hot off the fashion press, marked down for two weeks for my dominant season, and the flagship is on my doorstep. Heaven! Plus I can pre-select. That's why I put bus loads of energy into it. As you may have read before I am not one to stalk items so this sale is it.

But you don't luck out - there are always other bargains. And most of you are much better bargain shoppers than I am.

MNsara

Veteran

Here is a direct link to the NAS Frye boot pic:

http://forum.purseblog.com/att.....1278234461

I hope it works!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Fabulous info, Sara! I am already all over the OTK tan style.

Another very important bit of information: the catalogue show cases a very small part of what is available.

MNsara

Veteran

I love them too and found them recently on clearance at Urban Outfitters! They will be on my feet this fall

Yes, those young ladies also mention how much more is actually in the stores

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yay, Sara! Do you really think they are exactly the same? They might be very similar but not identical. What do you think?

MNsara

Veteran

I don't know for sure, but I think they are the same. . . I checked a LOT around online before ordering from UO and they were the taupe Jane OTK boots. I don't know if Frye changed them for 2010. . . they look the same as the NAS pic.

They are a wonderful heel height and look pretty sassy with the cuff turned up as shown in NAS. They look fine with the cuff turned down, but up is definitely a different look!

Maya

Veteran

OMG, those boots are stunning.

I'm all over a pair of OTK boots for next winter. It's going to be really hard to find a pair that fit though. Sigh.

Lisa, what is your local Nordies? I have convinced my very stubborn and style challenged mother to come with me to the one in Short Hills.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Go it, Sara! If those Fryes fit my fussy feet, we will be boot twins :0)

Maya

Veteran

I'm absolutely sure those boots are going to be too tall for me, not to mention too expensive, but I have serious boot envy. I'm just going to convince myself that they don't come in black and that will make me feel better, since I wouldn't wear them in that color...

MNsara

Veteran

Maya - I hope your mom is patient

When I shop with my daughter, I end up being her dressing room slave then I end up paying for most, if not all, of her selections, THEN I end up returning the things she changes her mind about!!!! Which actually is in MY best interest in that they are on my card ;-\

There are some comments here about the boot height:
http://reviews.urbanoutfitters.....eviews.htm

Also, there was mention that in the store, they are already handing out the NAS catalog. If true, and you can get your hands on one easily, that may help take some on the unknown out of it.

Maya

Veteran

Ha! Sara, I used to do that to my poor mom, but now I have my own income so she has been relieved of the burden Actually, I'm mainly forcing her to go so that *she* can get some new digs. Some of her pants give me heart failure.

Oh good, as it turns out the heel on the UO boots is too high for me anyway! That's a relief.

Maya

Veteran

Also, pardon my snarkiness but this just made me laugh in a combination of horror, bewilderment, and amusement:

"I'm a student and I'm kinda new to purchasing luxury bags..."

Really?!?!

MNsara

Veteran

That is very sweet of you and I hope she is receptive to the ones you like on her and she'll give them a try

Ariadne

Veteran

LOL, Maya! So true.

Those Frye boots are stunning. I adore the color. Good thing the heel height makes them a no-go for me.

I actually quite like the slouchy taupe perforated UGG boots in this pic:
http://forum.purseblog.com/att.....1278234461

Angie, what do you think of them? Are they possibly warm-weather boots?

crazyone

Veteran

does NAS have high quality cashmere? Most of my sweaters are pilling up And being in Boston, sweaters are actually a good investment.

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Crazyone, I can't speak to Nordy's cashmere quality, but oddly enough I can speak up for Land's End in this respect. They're cashmere is gorgeous and available in an increasing range of styles and colours. Prices are pretty good for cashmere, too. Worth a shot, imo.

Maya, I've wanted to go to Short Hills ever since I got my first guide dog 10 years ago! Mom managed to go once and hasn't stopped raving about it since. I wish I could go in your mom's stead! And maybe Reva could have helped us charm salespeople into being helpful!

Kyle

Veteran

I saw some NAS things in person today and thought the boots and jackets, especially leather and faux leather jackets, were fab. Great savings, wow. I did not have a plan, got overwhelmed, and reserved nothing. But that's OK, I don't need anything.

Maya

Veteran

I wish I could take you Michelle! I'm sure you would love it. All of the YLF staples are there and they have a spectacular lineup of anchor stores: Nordies, Bloomies, Macys, and Neiman Marcus. The specs I got last year after weeks of agonizing came from a store there as well and I can pretty safely say I will be going there for all of my future optical needs as long as I live within a 60 mile radius.

Honestly, I am outside the demographic that Short Hills caters to, since I'm not weighed down by money, so I rarely go there. But, it is the easiest Nordstrom for me to get to and their Macy's is infinitely better than the one that is closest to me. Some of their stores, while still expensive for me if I have to pay full price, are still fairly mainstream and have good sales. You'll find Ann Taylor, J Crew, Banana Republic, and Club Monaco neighboring Chanel, D&G, and other luxury boutiques. They also have an Anne Fontaine and Karen Millen. I can imagine Angie could do a lot of damage in that mall.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Brianna, those look fab! Great for your climate.

Kyle, I guess NAS offerings are not your dominant season.

Maya and Michelle, you must meet in Short Hills Shopping Mall. That's a YLF order. We have a Mall very similar to that here in the burbs called the Bravern. Its dangerous when I am there.

Maya

Veteran

I would love to see you be dangerous at Short Hills Angie. Next time you're in NYC, you need to put aside a full day for it. It's only half an hour by train. Am I allowed to dole out YLF orders?

AJ

Veteran

Angie - When you say "pre-selecting" do you mean that you are just making a list of what you like or are you actually reserving these items in your name?

I'm looking for a black trench coat to replace my favorite one that is busting at the back shoulder seams. Do you have a recommendation for a trench coat that is not wool and can hold up in the rain?

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

My strategy is to keep the green-eyed monster at bay and watch out for all the lovely posts about your knew purchases

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

No recommendations yet, AJ. Also, they won't have waterproof items at the NAS - just weather resistant. There is a raincoat brand called "Gallery" who makes beautifully made weather resistant trenches for the sale every year. Many YLF'ers have these trenches. You might like to look at their petite selection during sale time.

"Pre-selecting" means that you get to shop the sale behind black curtains like a VIP. Everything is reserved for you well before the sizes run out. It is not a free for all though. You need to be invited to pre-select. However, last year, there were Nordies branches who were not at all strict about pre-selections. I pre-select at the flagship which happens to be very strict.

Nice strategy, Fi!

Maya, I like this YLF order :0)

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Our Nordies in IL allow non-card holders to make appointments and pre-select, and in one instance last year I did not even have to make an appointment before the sale started. Laura and I are making our plans now for a pre-sale visit next week!

Maya, I am so glad you changed your mind from last year and are able to enjoy NAS and buy a few pieces! I think you will love it. There were a lot of YLF members last year who were buying the middle-upper end items, not just the pricey statement pieces: I believe Michelle, Marianna, and Kari also did very well at NAS last year.

I am looking out for boots and shoes mostly this year; last year's collection was not impressive for business attire, but now that my work environment is more business casual maybe I can find more boots.

12