Spring is here and I am gradually stocking up on oversized, costume jewelry, eclectic printed blouses, 80s-inspired skinny jeans, billowy cropped pants, and bright-colored clutches. Yes, my list of must-haves is lengthy. And nope – I don’t pay ridiculous prices. I am not an A-lister, so I don’t have the luxury of scoring hot-off-the-runway pieces at little to no cost. So, I do what all smart shopaholics must do to update their wardrobes: I shop sales.
As a personal shopper and wardrobe consultant, I believe that the biggest way to find exactly what you are looking for is being proactive and actively seeking out the best deals. I spend massive amounts of time social networking with e-commerce businesses, boutique owners, and fashion designers. I also subscribe to the mailing lists of my favorite stores so that I am updated on sales, events, and giveaways. And most importantly, I check in at my local retail stores to see which big-ticketed items have been marked down.
The biggest key to finding the best deals is to create your own strategies. These are mine:
I “Tweet” like crazy: Twitter has become the most powerful and trendiest social networking site to date, simply due to its ease of use and the ability to track what others are doing in real time. This place is perfect to meet people around the world who share your same passion for fashion. I research those that “follow” me, and depending on their niche, ask that they keep me updated on deals, sales, and new merchandise. Not only do I benefit from getting immediate news; I relay the information to my Good Girl Gone Shopping readers, friends, and family. I used to type in such terms as “handbag sales” in Google(TM) to find this, until I realized that I am still stuck at the beginning in finding exactly what I want. Now with Twitter, I receive direct messages regarding this very request. (Facebook and MySpace are other social networking sites that provide bulletins and updates to take notice of if you want to save money and meet stylista shoppers and industry folk that promote savings.)
I receive online mailers from various online and local retail stores. My favorite is from H&M and Urban Outfitters. This is because I love their merchandise and appreciate that the frequency of their messages is bearable. So make sure your subscriptions are to outlets that you TRULY love! Some of the other mailers (which I won’t be crude enough to mention) inundate my inbox. There is such a thing as getting too many, so watch out for that. As much I love getting news regarding sales, deals, and shopping events, I feel bombarded when I get up to three a day. We live in a recession right now, people; and although the deliverance of helpful updates is a positive thing, do businesses think that we all have the tons of money needed to purchase the items promoted in each mailer? Don’t get me wrong, I highly encourage you to subscribe to these. Just be sure to alleviate the pressure that you don’t need!
I show my face often in such retail stores as Macy’s. This is the ultimate shopping spot for shoe sales. I used to believe that I had psychic abilities when it comes to shoes being marked down, until I realized that I have been following a science I created for myself. In order to make sure that you don’t miss the markdown of Betsey Johnson heels (my fave), here are some tips: Ask a salesperson when the shoes went on display and were received; request a call when they get marked down; try them on so you know they fit; and then jot down the date of this visit. These days, customer service is not always that, so don’t 100 percent depend on the salespeople calling you to give you the heads up. (If they do, then treasure that and make nice with them as you continue to shop there.) I usually predict that in about three to four weeks, these shoes will go on sale if they haven’t sold out, and then another week for the additional 40 percent or half off. THAT is when I hit the racks like crazy. Had I never asked questions, consciously considered seasonal styles and merchandise shipments, I would have missed out on many a deal. Another factor to keep in mind: If you purchase shoes for regular price the day before they go on sale, bring your receipt in as soon as possible and ask for the difference. Most places do this, while others provide a fuss. It doesn’t hurt to try, however. It will only improve your attentive shopping skills.
Budgeting should never be an embarrassing thing to do. It is the smartest thing to do! Even if you have a huge amount to spend with no care in the world, why not take on new practices to save a little? For $200, you can buy a big designer or, for the same amount, you can buy three outfits and two pairs of shoes to match.
Now you tell me: Which one is worth tweeting about?
By Elana Pruitt, ‘Good Girl Gone Shopping’http://www.diaryofapersonalshopper.blogspot.com
