Are you a sales shopper? It is that time of year in Europe and the sales signs are everywhere. The shops are full with rack upon rack of designer deductions and the shoe departments have upended every last toe-peeper, wedge, heel and flat onto the floor...crowds and chaos clutter the once calm and elegant department stores and boutiques.
I am not a professional when it comes to the sales, although I have now come to realise that there are very genuine bargains to be had, especially in London in the summer. Fashion favourites that I coveted earlier in the year are now 50% off and will continue to slide as the month moves on. While the discounts are tempting it is finding the stamina to search that is the hard part....
That is where shopping the online sales is so brilliant. From the comfort of my mac I can find all the treasures I could possibly imagine - clad my feet in Louboutin, frock up in Erdem and stash my goodies in an Alexa by Mulberry. I can add as much as I like to my shopping basket without guilt because with one simple click the fun can be over and I won't have spent a cent or I can save my bits for later and take time to reflect on whether they are good value or not. Win/Win.
There are a few pitfalls to any 'sale' shopping so these days, having learnt the hard way, before I pay I say....
Do I really...really want this? ('Need' is not a word we girls understand nor wish to reflect upon...)
Would I buy this at full price? That is the only reason to buy at half price....If it wasn't right the first time around it won't be any different because it is cheaper...
Am I caught up in the frenzy of bargains?
Am I buying what I like not what my daughters think I would like?
Will it suit me? Sales generally mean once purchased non-refundable...
Is there something similar elsewhere that I prefer?
If I answer yes, yes, no, yes, yes and no then I'm good to go.... shopbop.com, net a porter.com and matches.com are my fashion vices of preference....they ship everywhere and their return policies are very fair....Have fun saving all that money....xv
my daily click HERE
image - google images
I am an impulse shopper...so if i want something I get it, on sale or not...but CANNOT resist a great designer bargain, as a result i have more Prada shoes sitting in my closet that will never be worn, a torture to my poor feet, but they look great
ReplyDeleteYour killing me Vicki! Every time I go into London, I think, that's it, that really really is it. No more....and then you give me something new to look at! Ok..I just might have to treat myself to a few jetlag sales..but then, I really, really am done...until the new season's boots come out :)
ReplyDeleteJeanne xxx
Merci for a great post Vicki. All good advice I think ;) Ah, les soldes! A French tradition, no doubt. I was chez Galeries Lafayette yesterday and watched the "mêlée" from a distance. There were orderly lines (and guards!) in front of all the "big names", Chanel, Lancel etc. Not sure I will be able to shop a whole lot during our French vacation this week and next, but will take a look a the websites you listed, especially if they ship to the States! Veronique aka French Girl in Seattle
ReplyDeleteI shall most definitely remember the second question Vicki. That's a great barometer for whether to buy or not.
ReplyDeleteSam
Vicki
ReplyDeleteThis is sage advice before deciding to pay for one's on line shopping.
I find I have little patience with the frenzy surrounding sales and like you said if you did not like it the first time you tried it, how is it different just because of the sale price
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and on line favourites
Helen Tilsotn
I was in Paris for the soldes a few years back. It was quite something. How efficient to have everything on sale at one time. I'm a terrible sale shopper. I find that I get "sale goggles" and make awful mistakes. And it's never a good deal if you never wear it right? Wish I had better sale skills!
ReplyDeleteExcellent thought processing, I think. Want and Need. Very good to discuss. xx's
ReplyDeleteSuch good advice Vicki. For years I would never buy anything on sale because I never loved it as much as those things that I really really wanted and had to have when they first came out. But now with the global deep discounting from this insane recession, the sales are so much different. I do still really reflect on big purchases, but if I happen to be in a J.Crew store when a sale is on, I will buy without reflection--their sale stuff always makes me happy.
ReplyDeletexo Mary Jo
I love online shopping as well. Your questions are great words to shop by. I try to make sure I really LOVE the item, and not just the deal.
ReplyDeletePlease stop by the market for a tour of the incredible Chihuly boathouse; and let us know your favorite summer libation to enter our splendid giveaway, http://bit.ly/koGw7D. ebh
Such wise words Vicki! It is so easy to get caught up in the excitement of a great deal!
ReplyDeleteHappy shopping to you!
Again I enjoy each and every post although I don't venture away from my email to leave comment :)
Nathalie
Oh yes, my vice is sales shopping! "On sale!" are two of my favorite words. Recently, I've realized that I spend more on items I really don't want while indefinitely postponing what I really want, which ends up costing me more in the long run. I just love your comment after this question: Do I really...really want this? ('Need' is not a word we girls understand nor wish to reflect upon...)-I laughed! So true! Thanks for the great post, vicki!
ReplyDeleteI would love to do some sale shopping in Paris, what a dream!
ReplyDelete-Jessica & Holly
Etsy.com/shop/chezjolly
Sounds fabulous! Enjoy shopping! Kellie xx
ReplyDeleteYour questions are good ones and I run through a similar list in my head... I have made some mistakes thinking that the deal was too good to pass up and later regretting it. But I do have a weakness for beautiful purses on sale...
ReplyDeleteLiving in California, we ofen are able to get a few wonderful things "on sale" in the summer in Europe, as we can wear the "summer" clothing practically year round. Especially our girls love to see "soldes" signs.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, thrashing it out with the masses is not a skill I'm particularly adept at! So like you, I love online shopping. Great and fun post, Vicki! I laughed at this "Am I buying what I like not what my daughters think I would like?" so true.. it's why I try not to buy except when it's just me and the sales staff!:)
I love shopping sales and clearance racks because I usually end up with really interesting, colorful items I wouldn't normally buy but that still suit me well. When I pay full price for things, I tend to stick with what's classic, neutral, etc. Without sales and clearances, my wardrobe would be hopelessly boring!
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to hava a SALE of all the Sonia stuff I bought at H&M on impulse and now takes up presious space in my closet.
ReplyDeleteA constant reminder of regreting at leisure...
Then again if only I had gotten the LANVIN SUNGLASSES!!
Yes, I am a HUGE sale shopper. I can spend 4 hours at Loemman's looking through the designer stuff in the back room.
ReplyDeleteYou can get sucked in however to the percentage thing. "Well it 80 percent off ..."
What I ask myself is if that t-shirt were at the gap for the same price as that sale price, would I be so excited or it it that it's chanel for 80 percent off. If I still love it ... then I'm sold.
I also always ask "Am I in love?" and "Is this who I want to be in the world?"
Happy Shopping!
Vicky,
ReplyDeleteYou are my kind of shopper! I truly do not like to shop and I when I do! I definitely have conversations with myself with the questions you posed A girl can dream though can't she?
xo
Love, love, love a sale...My downfall for sure. But unfortunately I just love to shop period, and it doesn't really matter if it is on sale. Sister and I always say we've just got to try it on,or if for the home try it out, so we won't mourn it any more. More times than not , we find we don't really need or want it. Hope you're having a fantastic week. Mona
ReplyDeleteI an a great fan of sale shopping. However in my opinion it needs to be well thought out and planned. I just bought a fabulous Ischiko dress (sounds Japanese but in fact is German designed). I have loved the dress since about March but it was very expensive (for me) so have stalked it and was there at the first day of the Fenwicks Sale. Luckily there was one left in my size so I shall wear it proudly tomorrow. It is slinky jersey and deep gray so can be worn come Autumn with black boots.
ReplyDeleteThree words from me Vicki - Peters of Kensington. MOTH has now banned from their website as he reckons I'm spending the kids inheritance on every kitchen gadget known to man. To see the Postie struggling down our front path with yet another PoK box sends my heart aflutter. One little mouse, so many cyber checkout baskets!!
ReplyDeleteMillie xx
Popping in via The Laurel Hedge :)
ReplyDeleteI like your checklist - especially the 'need' bit! I sometimes get caught up in the desire to have something and it rarely quells unless I get it. I'm not overly attracted to sales - I used to be in my twenties, but the older, wiser me will buy it if I like it and want it and if the price is reasonable whether its on sale or not.