Shopping Smart During the Sales Season

So, I am guessing that, like me, you have received about 145 million emails since the day before Thanksgiving with the BEST SALE OF THE YEAR in the subject! On Black Friday, I opened my email and bulk deleted about 50 emails thinking I was through...then in popped another 50 brand new, unread emails.

The hardest part is that is is all so tempting.  And before you know it, your credit card is smoking from all the sales.  It is a really great time to buy things you have been wanting, but that is the key:  buying things you have been wanting.

Because the sales are just SO good, it's easy to see something on sale that you don't really need and think it's just makes sense to buy it because it's such a "good deal".  The problem with that thinking is that buying things you don't need is NEVER a good deal!

Since retailers are going to continue to offer up sales through the rest of the year to entice you to buy, I wanted to offer up some suggestions that will hopefully give you pause and save you some wasted money, particularly when it comes to clothing, shoes, and accessories.

Ready. Set. GO!

1. Take inventory.  Go into your closet and take a look at what you are in-need of.  What is missing in your closet?  This is a great time to snag quality basics at an affordable price.  Are your favorite jeans starting to look a little worn?  Do the camis you wear all the time need a refresh?  Is your dressy white blouse looking less white than it once did?  These are logical purchases to add to your wardrobe.
2. Limit the shine. If you are in the market for something new that has some shine, shimmer, or sequins, this is a great time of year to find those pieces.  My warning here is that there are SO, SO MANY shiny things out there that it can be really easy to overdo it and purchase unnecessary items.  Decide ahead of time what exactly you are looking for and if you find it, grab it!
3. Does it make sense? Along with the tip above, make sure that any item you "add to cart" aligns with your lifestyle.  Do you work in an office that is business casual, but find a beautiful slip dress that you fall in love with?  Really think about IF you will wear it and WHERE you will wear it.  Follow the 3 look rule:  you need to have 3 places to wear it or 3 pieces you already own to wear it with (and I'm not just talking about your black jeans and your dark rinse denim)!
4. Make Investment Buys. Now is the perfect time to purchase those pricier investment pieces.  I ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS want you to buy Quality pieces over a large Quantity of pieces.  Maybe that gorgeous camel coat you fell in love with that is $400 originally is on sale for $200.  That is a great deal and a no-brainer.  Don't just buy poorly made clothes at a discount.  It's a bad purchase decision that will just end up in a landfill somewhere.
5. Step away from the pile. If you are physically out shopping, I recommend that when you find items that you like, once you have tried them on, that you put them on hold and move to the next store.  At the end of your shopping trip, if you still want that item, then go back and get it. The online equivalent of this is to step away from the phone or computer for a couple of hours. **Pro Tip:  Take pictures of the items before you put them on hold so you remember what you have on hold and where.  If you don't remember that you put it on hold when you look at the pictures, it's probably not worth buying.
6. Never Compromise on Fit! One of the style foundations that must be on-point is fit.  When you buy something, make sure the fit is impeccable.  If it's pulling in the wrong place, if it doesn't button, if it's gaping, DO NOT Add to Cart.  The trick with fit is that you need to make sure a garment fits the largest part on your body and then you tailor from there.  So, for example, if you have broad shoulders, you should purchase a blazer or jacket that you can move well in and then you can have the sleeves shortened or have the waist taken in a bit.  I hear from women all the time that they don't want to deal with the expense of a Tailor, but in my honest Stylist opinion, if you aren't willing to have items altered to fit well, they are not worth the purchase.
7. Set a Budget and stick with it!  This one is pretty simple.  With credit card interest rates as high as they are, make sure you don't get caught up in the endorphins that finding a sale brings and overspend.
8. Make a list and stick to it.  Like Santa:  make your list and check it twice. Have you ever walked into the grocery store to just grab a few things and walked out with a cart full?!  I think we all have.  When you take inventory in your closet of what you actually need, and you have made a list, sticking to your budget will be much easier.
9. Consider your long-term style goals.  What do you want to communicate with your style and what is your vision for your future self?  Before you make any purchases, make sure that what you are buying fits with that vision.  Are you trying to level up your style, but that cozy pair of sweatpants is calling your name?  Maybe skip them and look for a slightly dressier jogger instead.  
10. Use technology to your advantage.  I highly recommend adding the Karma shopping extension to your computer or to add the app to your phone. You can add items to your Karma account and it will track prices and inventory levels for you!  Game-changer!
11. Check the Return Policy.  It's always good to know the return policy on items, especially when they are on sale.  If you are ordering online instead of actually trying things on in-person, it's important to know how long you have to make a return or if items are final sale or only returnable for store credit.  Know ahead of time so that you don't end up wasting money on something that doesn't fit or that does not look like it did online.

I hope that these tips are helpful to you as you navigate the sales for the rest of the year.  I certainly don't want you to have any purchase regrets.  If you follow my expert advice, you will avoid painful and costly shopping hangovers as we head into 2024!

Stylishly Yours,

PS - Interested in my Must Have Basics List?!  Grab it for FREE here!