5 tips for successful sale shopping

22 Comments

1. These are great tips – it can be very easy to buy with ‘sale goggles’ on, then realise none of it works with your existing closet once you get home. Not conducive to a well curated closet! ———————————————————–
   Another tip I’d add (an offshoot of your tip #3) is to identify general items that would help with any wardrobe holes (might be a good idea to do a closet assessment beforehand!) – try to keep the descriptors somewhat general, so they can guide your sale search (e.g. knowing you need a ‘purple pencil skirt’ can help you to avoid all the racks of black bottoms).

2. These are all good tips. I would add that when shopping in stores (I rarely shop online for clothing because I can’t stand doing returns), wear easy-on, easy-off clothing while you shop. Depending on what you’re shopping for, wear appropriate footwear. Fix your hair and wear makeup. Wear your best bra, or at least wear underwear that you’ll wear with the garments you bring home. Avoid impulse purchases just because they are on sale. Leave the extra jewelry at home. I guess these are a different kind of tip, but they do impact a shopping experience. Right now I’m not shopping because I don’t have any wardrobe gaps, and am actually paring down. It’s true that our lifestyles can change and having too much was stressing me out!

3. Exactly…I agree about your purple skirt example!

4. Such great advice, Karen. It really makes a difference when you look your best for a shopping trip! And the bra is a must. If you need a new bra to lift those girls up then start shopping there first!

5. Excellent tips, Pamela. That said; with many who are shopping online for ‘sales’ double check the return policy as it may be ‘unreturnable/final’. -Brenda-

6. Great point…I have seen many say FINAL sale

7. Yes- somebody mentioned wardrobe “holes”abd that struck a chord with me. So often when dressing to go out I hear myself say” if only I had—-“. Fill in the blank.
   Your shopping sales recommendations are right on! Thank you Pam!

8. You are welcome, Paulette!

9. Karen is right on with her tips, but a little caveat about the makeup: be very careful when trying things on over your head……too many beautiful pieces get ruined by smears of makeup and/or lipstick.

10. I know retailers appreciate you sharing, Carol!

11. Hey, Pam! I’d been taking advantage of Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales. I would also add, it might be a good time to “stock up” on wardrobe workhorses. I’ve found long sleeved gauze and linen tops are my fall/winter go-tos, (comfortable enough for around the house, but can add a cardigan or jacket to go out) akin to t-shirts in summer. So, I may have picked up an extra during those sales! {Wink!}

12. Thanks for sharing Kimberly!!

13. I would add to buy what you actually wear, not what you wish you wore, or used to wear. I absolutely never wear a skirt, for example. It’s becoming the same with those random, different colored sweaters that you wear when you go somewhere constantly and are fixated on variety (ex. my school wardrobe of sweater, black pants, scarf). In early retirement, I just scanned the clearance online as usual and added something I thought was “cute,” like I was still working five days a week. It took a while, but I have finally given myself permission to spend on activewear, because I wear leggings several days a week, and quality leggings matter (I like Zella best). In the past, my workout gear was stained, pilled, with elastic failing, or just cheap. Or both. By watching sales in categories I truly wear, I have a wardrobe, finally, of nice at home and casual wear. Because I am weak :), however, and love fashion -and- a bargain, I try to use the search engine vs random scrolling through the sales.

14. Thank You for a very timely article…great advise. I’m off to Nordstrom’s today with friends, for a sale shopping spree……

15. Good thoughts, Linda! Thanks!

16. Have fun, Nancy.

17. This is the time to check sales for quality winter gear: the insulated mittens and gloves that will keep you warm in a snowstorm, the best winter socks, hats, face protection, boots rated to -40° C., and of course, down parkas. If you live in a cold climate, you already know that quality gear is necessary. Sizes start to sell out quickly in the Boxing Day sales. Savings can be significant. If you need a good coat in February, prices will go back up and selection will be limited. So this is what I am doing this year: shopping online to replace worn winter items with warm winter items. These are needs, not wants. My winter coats and boots are fine, but the accessories are due for replacement.

18. Love reading everyone’s tips and your advice today. I have one very full bag ready for donation, and two small closets yet to do the winter purge upon so this is timely. As a dedicated vacationer, my tips regarding travel wardrobe to warm destinations: 1) for the maturing body, Lands End swimwear is incredible – and can often be found for less than the typical 40% off by following your tip of signing up for flash sales and general email notices; 2) perusing the racks of sizes larger than your own can yield really cute possibilities in cover-ups, especially look at tunics which work great poolside between dips in the water.

19. Thanks MJ…good comment!

20. I have some cleaning out to do myself, Connie. Thanks for mentioning it.

21. This is so true! I only wear eye makeup, so I didn’t think of that!

22. It helps to know what shops have the best sales.
    For instance, the Merrell shoe store runs sales all the time, their clearance sales aren’t usually that great and often the best styles/sizes are gone.
    But, they also sell athletic gear and accessories. I’ve picked up some good deals on sweats or bags there.
    American Eagle/Aerie has promotions all the time as well. At clearance time the place to browse is the accessory rack.
    So, look for the odd things a store sells for better deals.

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