Sample vs. Save

With prices rising and stocks dropping, everyone is a little fearful of the economy.  But despite the depressing market, I’ve identified at least one good thing to come out of these hard times, yes there is a good thing, and that is the influx of sales. Specifically, sample sales.  I know its a little hypocritical, shopping when I know that I  should be saving but with the deals that I’ve seen lately, I just can’t help myself.  Every week there’s pressure of a new sample sale,  luring me away from saving more when I know that I know better.

This past month alone,  there were a bevy of sample sales teasing me, from L.A.M.B. and Anna Sui to Rebecca Minkoff,  Tocca and Lela Rose.  The list goes on and on and its only getting longer with more sample sales approaching in the weeks to come.   So instead of completely starving myself of my fashion fix, I’ve come up with rationale, a list of rules to adhere to during these trying times, allowing me to indulge in the splendor of samples sales  while also keeping money in the bank.  Listed below, try one or two of my rules, heck try all four, and I guarantee that you too will walk away with cash left over and fashionably guilt free ….

#1. Don’t be blinded by low prices

Low priced items give shoppers an urge to buy without taking stock of what’s being purchased.  Don’t let the low price fool you; just because its on sale doesn’t mean it’s a good buy.  Only buy what you absolutely love and WILL WEAR. Don’t get blind sighted by the slashed prices,  walking to the register with a bundle of items that will ultimately never to seeing the light of day from your closet.  Stick to a couple of items that you love and know you will wear.  That’s how you get the best bang for your buck and not buyer’s remorse for purchasing something you’ll later regret, which leads me to #2.

#2 Think before you buy

Do you need the item you are about to purchase?  Do you own something similar to it?   Will you regret it tomorrow if you don’t purchase the item now?   Is the item worth the price? THINK ABOUT IT.  If you don’t love it and/ or it doesn’t fit with your wardrobe, don’t bother.  I’ve got a couple of great DvF dresses that I could have sworn that I needed only to have worn them once since purchasing them last year.  I won’t make the same mistake at this year sale.   If you can, try visiting the same sample sale twice.  On the first day, check out the stock of sale.  Pick out everything you like and pile up on everything you want.   Now, put it all down and leave.   That’s right leave, without buying a thing and carry on with your day.  More than likely when you return for your second visit you won’t remember everything you picked out the first time nor will you even have a desire for most of the items.  So now you buy, but only the items that stuck with you mentally because those are the ones you really love and will wear.

#3. Always try on

Sounds like commons sense but common sense is not so common,  so please follow this rule no matter what.  Never guesstimate if something will fit or trust the size on the label.  With most sample sale, the threads are just that, samples.  So the size on the label could be different from what it reflects. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Take the time to try on all your picks so you dont end up with a size 6 that fits like a size 4 or worse… doesn’t fit at all.

#4. Purchase for your reality, not fantasy

Don’t get stuck with purchases that don’t fit your everyday life.  Often times we try to emulate a red carpet  look we love or fall for the glamour and pretty effect of a  piece, when in reality, it doesn’t fit our lifestyle. For example, you fall for this sequin top (left) conjuring up a  list of  places you  could ideally wear it to, only to never  really wear it at all.  This equally nice silk top (right), is much more practical and will likely be worn a lot more than the sequin one.  So buy for your reality, not your fantasy.

With that said here are a few of the sample sales that I will be checking in the next couple of days. Enjoy

• Helmut Lang -Dec 2 – 5
• Rag and Bone -  Dec 2 – 5
• Gryphon -  Dec 2 – 5
• Alice+Olivia – Dec 8 – 11
• Tory Burch -  Dec 17 – 21

***The above are taking place at sample sale hotspot, Clothing line***

Here’s a tip for the Tory Burch SS…as soon as you get inside from the inevitable line outside, head straight to  the second one, the imminent shoe  line.  You’ll have more than enough time to scour the clothing racks but you    wanna get to the shoe pin before your pick of the designer’s wildly popular  signature flats sell out.

• LaRok Dec 3 – 6
• Elizabeth and James Dec 3 – 6

Both taking place at The Savvy, which simultaneously offers sample sales online and in-store.

And I can’t close the year without checking out the semi annual Diane vonFurstenberg sample sale.

From Dec 9-13, at 260 Fifth Avenue.

Another tip, wait until the last couple of days to make your purchases  at this sale. Like most sample sales, they slash prices as the sale winds down,  making for an even better deal on the designer’s wrap dresses.

There you have it. Remember not to fall prey to the super low prices, and to honor my rules so that you too can shop guilt free.   If all else fails, there’s  always Ebay!