Tips and Tricks:
How to Work a Sale Rack
I hope that all of you are having a blessed holiday
season, enjoying time with family and friends, and maybe even hitting up a sale
rack or two this weekend!
Ah the sale rack, a mom’s best friend and worst nightmare
all at once: on one hand it’s a way to save a few bucks (every extra dollar
counts when managing the family budget), but with everything cluttered and
thrown together it can be a huge time-suck (not ideal if you have a toddler
tagging along on your mall trip). The
lack of organization can also be overwhelming- where to start? What to buy?
How do I dig through this vast pile of sweaters, dresses, and tops and
find things I actually need?
The key to sale rack shopping is simple: be prepared,
shop smart, and invest in pieces that work with your current wardrobe and real life. To break it down, here are my top tips for
sale rack shopping:
1. Know what you need. Do a quick scan of your closet and take a
note of needs and wants. Ask yourself
questions- are you looking for a few new and updated pieces or just looking to
refresh your everyday basics? Is there
anything that you particularly need, like new boots or a new coat? Also think about any upcoming events you are
attending, as this is a great time of year to find special pieces for weddings,
showers, or other events at a deep discount.
This step doesn’t take a lot of time (just 5 or 10 minutes) but it will
help focus your shopping and may keep you from buying things that you don’t
need.
2. Choose a plan of attack. Rather than wandering aimlessly from store to
store, choose one or two of your favorite stores and focus most of your time
there. Also consider shopping at a store
that might be slightly above your average price-point…since everything is on
sale, your money can stretch a little further and put even designer items
within reach.
3. Check for coupons. Finding a coupon for your favorite store can
take just minutes. Great coupon
resources: store websites, social media (like official store Facebook pages or
Twitter), store email lists, or your local newspaper. Most stores will even accept coupons via
smartphone, meaning no dreaded coupon clipping (though check store policy
before you go)! Even high-end stores are
offering extra coupons and savings this time of year, so it’s worth it to check. If you can’t find a coupon, ask a store
associate if there are any promotions or discounts going on.
4. Shop smart.
Scan the sale rack for fabrics, textures, and colors that catch your eye
instead of shuffling through each piece.
If you focus on one or two pieces that really catch your eye, you are
more likely to love what you buy and not fall into the trap of buying things
you don’t really want. Love something
but don’t see your size? Check larger
size racks and see if your size was misplaced (or hidden…people often hide
things with the intention of coming back later to scoop it up). Also check with the sales associate as there
may be additional sizes in the back of the store, or even hiding out in a
fitting room. Finally, don’t be afraid
to try a new style but limit yourself to one or two trendy pieces. Keep the bulk of your purchases to items you
love and investment pieces. Which brings
me to my last point…
5. Buy designer or stock up on good basics. Designer items (including handbags) can be
marked down as much as 60-75% this time of year. If you are looking for shoes, try classic
styles like riding boots, pumps, or ballet flats. Need a sweater? Cashmere is on clearance everywhere. Invest
in a beautiful sweater (or two, or three, or more) in a neutral tone- black,
navy, camel, or cream. You will have it
for years.