Ever fought your way through snow and ice to buy a coat or sweater last minute – only to be greeted by spring and summer clothes? Or, you finally get into the swing of summer and go looking to add to your wardrobe – only to find it’s all been picked over and the fall inventory has already arrived?
You’re not alone.
It’s hard to get excited about the next season’s clothes when you’re dealing with the reality of the current season. Who wants to try on swimsuits when you’re still packing holiday pounds? Or, how about trying on wool and leather when you nearly melted in the summer heat on your walk from car to store? No one.
But remember: a little planning goes a LONG way. If you can put aside the discomfort of the current season and think ahead to the next, you can score some amazing deals that allow you to look great and save money.
The key is in understanding how seasonal fashion cycles work.
Here’s the story:
Six months before a season:
Runway shows. Designers present their goods; store buyers and personal buyers place their orders. Magazine editors and fashion stylists start planning how to showcase their favorite looks.
Six weeks before a season:
Stores begin to receive merchandise. They fill client pre-orders, put the rest on the floor, and invite their best clients to shop early with pre-season sale promotions.
Season begins:
Weather changes and people start wandering in to find current season clothes. Stores restock best sellers if still available.
Six weeks into a season:
The current season has now been in the stores for 3 months and needs to be cleared out for the next season. Items are marked down and moved to clearance racks to make room for the new merchandise.
So if spring starts (northern hemisphere) in late March, spring merchandise starts appearing in early February. Summer? Late April. Fall? Late July. Winter? Late October.
It may seem that most of the sales occur at the height of the season (Christmas/Easter/4th of July) but the reality is that most of the premium stuff is GONE by then. If you wear an unusual size, good luck finding what you want.
So what’s the best way to work this?
Here are a few strategies:
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Pre-Order
If you really, REALLY love being the trend setter of your group and know you MUST have something as soon as you see it on the runway, call the store in your area that carries the designer and ask to get on the pre-order list. You’ll have pay for the merchandise to get on the list, but once it’s received by the store, it will be held for your pickup or shipped to you, depending on what you arrange. Some items are SO popular some seasons that a store’s entire inventory can be spoken for before it even ships; none of the pieces ever make it to the floor.
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Get on Mailing Lists
If you frequent particular department stores or boutiques, ask to get on their mailing list or email list so you’ll be notified of pre-sales, trunk shows, fashion shows, etc. You’ll get first pick of new merchandise, often at discounted prices. -
Grab Now for Next Year
Find a fabulous holiday dress, three days AFTER New Year’s? Find a too-good-to-be-true fall trench in early spring? If it fits, is in your budget, and can be worn just as easily next year, GRAB it! Classics never go out of style, and next year will be here before you know it.
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Stock of up Staples
The absolute best time of year to stock of on staples like underwear, bras, t-shirts, jeans, and tennis shoes is during back-to-school sales. Why let kids have all the savings? Grab early and use them all year long.
Sometimes life gets so busy, a new season is upon us before we know it. Or, we wait until the last minute to buy things and then there’s either nothing left or only to be had at a premium. Don’t fall into that trap. Instead, be aware of how inventories move in and out of stores and learn when to time your purchases for maximum selection and lowest prices. It’s not always convenient to shop ahead, but it IS usually very smart – particularly if you’re hard to fit. Don’t wait until the last minute or even the height of the season – plan ahead, shop early, and look fabulous as you laugh all the way to the bank.
