As much as I love shopping there are few things that make me more giddy than a great deal. After working retail and fashion blogging for a few years I've picked up a few tricks of the trade to being a smart shopper.
- Evaluate your closet: When you've got a tight shopping budget, this will ensure that you come home with a piece that works with your wardrobe; no buyer's remorse!
- Join a sample sale site: HauteLook & Gilt Groupe are great resources for those who are looking for a good deal on designer duds.
- Make friends with the sales associates: Befriend the salespeople at your favorite store. They'll let you know when sales are coming up & can be a vital connection to have. It's a mutually beneficial friendship!
- Shop at discount stores: It's such a badge of honor saying you scored a really amazing deal. I don't think I ever leave Marshalls & TJ Maxx empty handed.
- Look at websites before going into the store: This way you'll have an idea of what items to look for & can go in with a plan rather than trying on everything that catches your eye.
- Get free shipping: The major downside to online shopping is paying shipping-- so when free shipping codes are available, take advantage! My favorite site is freeshipping.org.
- Stalk the Sales: Keep checking back in-store and online to see what new markdowns are being taken. Shopstyle.com has a great search feature on their site to organize items by price or % discount.
I hope my tips help some of you savvy shoppers out. I'd love to hear your favorite secret to smart shopping as well!
xoxo, lauren
Such useful tips.. I always make sure to evaluate my closet and check the websites. I've never visited sample sale sites though! Will definitely check these out! xo
ReplyDeleteYeah, I need to evaluate my closet more, but the rest of the tips I pretty much follow =) Great post Lauren! xoxo
ReplyDeletewww.FashionSnag.com
Good tips! I already follow a couple of these. Does freeshipping.org also work for other countries like Canada?
ReplyDeleteGreat tips. I adore GiltGroupe. I found out about it after reading my high school bulletin. The founders are alumni of my school! And the clothes they have on the site are amazingly cute, with tons of savings.
ReplyDeletemizzj: freeshipping.org links to all the sites with shipping promotions, so it should work for any stores that ship outside the US
ReplyDeleteGreat tips!!! Turns out I'm an awful shopper, so I'll definitely use these tips.
ReplyDeletegood idea to join a sample sale site - thanks for the tip!
ReplyDelete...another resolution of mine is to get in better shape as well....feeling positive about 2010 as well :D
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ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I know I ALWAYS do the first tip.
ReplyDeleteI've joined so many sample sale sites, it's crazy!! I like that they have new sales everyday, so you'll never get bored of their clothes!...although, maybe that's a bad thing!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog!
Hope you'll check out mine at http://jennysopencloset.blogspot.com/
Love your tips, I also try to write down what I really need (like tights or t's and what color/how many) so when I see a sale I gt the things I need most first!
ReplyDeleteMarie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
Absolutely adoring these tips, Lauren! I agree, it is like a badge of honor to say that you got a fabulous price on something. I found amazing boots at TJ Maxx yesterday for $29.99 and I'm still talking about it!! :)
ReplyDeletethese are great tips! bargain hunting is seriously the best!
ReplyDeletevery helpful!
ReplyDeletethanks!
Excellent tips! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite sample sale site is rue la la I've gotten some really great stuff there, including a pair of Hunter boots for $45 and an awesome French Connection sweater!
ReplyDeleteYay, these tips are surely helpful. I am not sure if we have sample sale sites here though. Yes, I do evaluate my closet first before heading out to do some serious shopping.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips :)
ReplyDeletegreat list!
ReplyDeletethese are all wonderful tips...i am such a sale stalker!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome tips girl!
ReplyDeletep.s love the picture!
Great list! I get 99% of my stuff from sample sales and consignment shops!
ReplyDeleteVERY GOOD TIPS! :)
ReplyDeleteLove ur blog! :)
Lauren, this is a really great post! I just recently discovered sample sale sites and they are fantastic. I'm a huge fan of discount stores and can't wait to get to know the sales associates of some of my fav stores in my new home, Boston.
ReplyDeleteLauren!
ReplyDeleteSo I've bought a few dresses off this website and i feel like it's a place you'd love! they are pretty unique but work for so many occasions! They also have cool accessories and stuff, too.
http://www.modcloth.com/store/ModCloth/Womens/Dresses
congrats on the internship, btw! you'll be great!
-Meredith
AH I love these tips. I definitely need to keep them in mind when I go shopping again.
ReplyDeletethese are so helpful lauren. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletexx,
betz
http://herarmoire.blogspot.com
Don't forget eBay! And don't forget to snipe on eBay. Bidding wars just run the price up for everyone. I have a post on sniping: http://wendybrandes.com/blog/2008/04/snipe-dammit/
ReplyDeleteThose are some great tips. I must keep that in mind when I shop! =)
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ReplyDeleteENJOY ONLINE SHOPPING.
HURRY UP