The idea of writing this post came to me after catching myself on a thought of desperate need of another pair of sandals, which I discovered on Net-a-Porter’s clearance. I know, we all love a good clearance and discounts. And there is no matter that a few days ago I bought ones that I actually was happy with. Yes, why not to buy, you keep asking yourself looking at price reduction and responding by clicking on “purchase now” button. Eventually, such buys can be regarded as spontaneous and usually are never worn. I must confess, such buys during sales are very usual.
it is almost like a job – hunting right items on sale and planning budget
Is there any waymark on what is worth of buying on sale? – I guess, there is no straightforward answer. One of my good friend, whose effortlessly chic style I secretly been always admiring of, is a sales virtuoso; she could find some beautiful pieces on sales, that she will wearing for years (!) afterwards. Sure, she is not a trendy girl, but one of those who has a refined feminine style with a right amount of insouciance. Last time I’ve met her wearing R13 charcoal jeans, some Equipment washed silk shirt and her last sales trophy – Laurence Dacade Herlin sandals and her look was finished with Lanvin Sugar mini bag. She confessed that sometimes it took her almost few seasons to wait for some special item to appear on sale, she told me that it’s almost like a job for her – hunting right items on sale, planning budget. Once she told me that a person should never buy “just something instead” or similar to what you’re after, even if the desired item is sold out. Wait for another season and find what you love.
For sure not to make a mistake in choosing something from sale, is simply not to buy on sales (ha-ha, I know this is quite impossible to resist the temptation). Nevertheless, lets try to find the answer. Above all, you have to know your style and your “uniform” quite well to avoid distractions. Sometimes for me, when “going on sales” with a strong image of what I want, its getting quite impossible to find what I am after. Ironically, I am ending up with picking a non-sale item. And it turns out to be true, that most of rewarding items you won’t see on sale. Such Items like Isabel Marant Dicker boots in black, Burberry classic coats and trenches, Rick Owens Blister biker jacket in black, Balenciaga classic biker in black, The Row leather leggings and many more. Sometimes it is better to sacrifice one seasonal sale in favour of buying a one key piece. Then sale becomes very welcoming for you in offering “mixing” items, such as knitwear, tops, jeans and skirts. And again, you are unlikely to get worthy items with the price reduction of more than half and they are likely to be sold out during the first week or so.
Sometimes I like to plan my sale purchases for a long time before the sale actually starts. It gives you time to figure out what you do really need.
Getting back to my sale-virtuoso-friend, here is one more thing, lingerie is always a good idea to buy on sales, being a woman, I can agree that these small goodies could bring so much more than just wearing it. The same story goes with bags on sale, you can find really good options in choosing one of your “invisible bags”.
Thinking what to avoid buying on sale: seasonal must haves, or something that you have bumped into in every fashion issue. There is one rule that always works for me – the less is better (quantity/quality). Otherwise as Tommy Hilfiger once said: “You want to look fashionable and put-together, not like you hit every sale rack this season”.
TheFlittingStrings 