I promised myself I would not do a post about the sales…because I simply can’t do it; despite my mum’s and sister’s frantic calls on Christmas Day (or as they see it Boxing Day eve) to pre-order live from Casablanca and their attempt at guilt-tripping me to taking one for the team , I simply can NOT do it.
Why?
1. I can’t handle the masses of sale-zillas. Seems spoilt but so true. The simple thought of armies of women frantically browsing fighting their way through mountains of shoes, clothes and bags makes me want to go back to bed – which the little man would mot allow for so I settle for watching Cbeebies in my PJs.
2. Even if by miracle I happen to make it to a store, there is no way I ever find anything. Is it just me or the collections seem to completely change overnight? were did all these polyester unshapely warp dresses come from? 1992? Truth is, my mind thrives on inspiration and there is something about piled up clothes that just does not cut it for me.
3. And if I am really really motivated and make it to a store AND manage to stay for more than 30s, I realise that the only items that capture my attention are New Season. Yep, so worth losing my sanity and a fingernail to buy something full price.
But, if I am really honest (which of course I always am) at the very heart of it, lays one of my dark little sartorial secrets. Drum rolls. I am not very patient. Well, ok; I am not patient at ALL. So if I happened to covet something (focus only on things, do not apply to people…obviously) at any given time, chances are I already bought it (and wore the hell out of it to make me feel less guilty about never waiting for the Sales). A typical example just happened last Saturday (so technically 24h before all at 50% off), while walking past a very empty Zara, I almost (Hubby was behind the almost) went in for a mini shopping spree. I could not resist the appeal of shopper free Zara … and still think it would have been worth it. Remember to better fight this battle next time!
Just as I am about to finish this rant post, a little voice whispers to me “what about online?”. Oh Oh. I put everything on pause and frantically browse my favourite my-wardrobe.com and net-a-porter.com, not necessarily for a big bargain but with a laser focused mindset on items I coveted but put on the back burner because of their value equation so to speak (remember I am a geek after all).
I ended up closing on quite a few of them (details?)
You know what? Maybe I will share my top tips for Sales after all.
1. Identify it. For this strategy to be successful, you need to check that your coveted items tick the 3 following criteria: i) they are lovely but pricey AND not guaranteed to be worn more than once …but you still soooo love it (ACNE Black Maxidress comes to my mind…love everything about it except the £300 and the little opportunity to wear in Autumn in London..want to guess what I bought on sale?), ii) they could last on shelf/online until the Sales (the rule here is you win one and lose one – my biggest coup was buying my Camilla Skovgard ahead of the Sales and I was right as they sold out in September / my worst one was betting my Sam Eldman Chlesea Boots would make it, but they didn’t…too many fashion conscious girls in this city let me tell you!) and iii) they are not needed before then (this do not include all the Xmas party dresses).
2. Track it. You need to identify either the store or the website that still stocks them and casually/regularly check on their availability. Should we have been in Casablanca, I would have said befriend the shop assistant and beg her to keep it/them aside for you but it would not work in my other hometowns of Paris & London (trust me I tried) so I recommend web watching and regular store stopping. But at this strategy – advantage Online: they even tell you when it is about to run out so you have chance to revise your decision before it is too late. And save you the embarrassment of continuously asking.
3. Buy it. Now the sales are usually up on line (and sometimes in-store) a couple of days before D Day so make sure you check up real soon to bag your size.
4. Start all over again. Don’t know how you do it but personally I don’t only browse the Sale section and go for inspiration. If you see something you adore, just got for it. If not refer to point 1 above.
Happy shopping!
bisous bisous
Intro picture courtesy of net-a-porter.com
