It’s November, and I can feel the clocking ticking down to Thanksgiving and Black Friday (which I will only ever participate in online), then Christmas and New Years. I’m starting to feel the anxiety to find the best gifts for the best deals. I pride myself in being a pretty thoughtful and economical gift giver, and with my email blowing up already with gift guides I’m feeling a little overwhelmed. I have developed a system for navigating and maximizing Holiday Sales which includes doing a lot of online scouring and window shopping along the cobble stone streets in Soho for ideas and inspiration. There are a ton and I do mean a ton of Gift Guides littering the net from bloggers and companies alike basically telling you what to buy. Instead of going that route, I’ll just tell you How to Shop the sales and maximize your savings for gifts and a little for you too as far as clothing, accessories and shoes are concerned.
I always take advantage of the online sales. I subscribe to all my favorite online shops because they always give you sales updates with Coupon Codes. I just got one recently from ShoeScribe (They are currently having a 30% off sale promotion with an extra 40% off using [The private code I received PRIVATEFW15]. This is my go to site for amazing designer shoes. Shoes that were 1K+ are currently a little under 300, perfect climate for a fashion STEELE! This is my method of madness for shoe shopping. Also note that some websites will give you a 10-15% discount if you download their app and use it for your purchase. Which I did to get 15% off of these Sam Edelman boots. It’s really about being diligent in finding the best deals, coupons and promotions. There are 3 things to do before pulling the trigger on an item.
1. Do a search of the item and see where its the cheapest. But also take coupons and codes into account. Just because its cheaper on one site, another site may offer a significantly higher discount via a code/promotion.
2. See if there is a coupon code (either via the website, or an online search such at RetailMeNot) A lot of sites will offer free shipping too so use every code possible.
3. See if they are offering a discount via an App or for downloading their app and using that to make your purchase. (I can’t tell you how many apps I’ve downloaded for a 10-20% discount.) Don’t worry you can always delete the App once you’re done. Also some sites will offer a 10-20% discount for signing up to their website that you can use on your first purchase.
Top: ZARA | Skirt: Derek Lam | Boots: Sam Edelman Elina | Jacket: Dallin Chase
This is the way I attack online shopping and never have the regret of seeing something I buy at a cheaper rate later. Of course that will happen though during end of season sales and such. But that brings me to my next tip; Know when the sales are happening (Friends and Family Sales, Bi-Annual Sales and Sample Sales). Many online sites have biannual sales from Net-a-Porter (May/Late November btw) to Victoria’s Secret or just overall large sales like Shopbops Friends & Family Sales. To keep up with when these sales will happen, it’s always best so subscribe to the websites or just let google be your friend. Racked.com is by far the number one website for keeping up with sales in your area as well as Sample Sales (I just hit up the Derek Lam Sample Sale Sunday and they got all my coins). This skirt I’m wearing is actually a score from Derek Lam’s last sample sale. But don’t worry, just because you don’t live in NYC doesn’t mean you have to miss out of designer deals.
For clothes, shoes and accessories here are the major sites I’m subscribed to and that I scour on a daily basis but mostly during sales:
The Real Real (Always a 20% Sale with daily new sales where I scored these Tibi Sandals and Rodarte Sweater)
Barney’s Warehouse (Currently 40% off Veterans Sale, where I scored these Proenza Schouler Mules on Sale)
ShoeScribe (Currently 30% off Sale as well as 40% off promotion with code PRIVATEFW15)
The Outnet (Where I scored these Wang Booties on Sale)
ModaOperandi (Sales usually in June/January)
Net-a-Porter (Their sale is coming at the end of November, but I got my favorite Aquazzura’s during their bi-annual sale last year)
Shopbop (Great Friends and Family and Surprise sales 2-3x Monthly)
C/Meo Collective (Join Email for 15% off First Purchase)
November is the hottest time for sales, especially with the Net-a-Porter sale coming up and hopefully another Proenza Schouler sample sale in December and with all the Black Friday deals. Happy Shopping everyone!
What are your tips for how to attack holiday sales promotions?
xx
Monroe
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Lovely post! Now if only I had the cash …