Tips to Get the Most out of Sample Sales

We’ve been shopping sample sales for years and still sometimes, we go home empty-handed and left feeling like we’re not doing it right at all. As we’re in the thick of sample sale season right now and our inboxes are flooding with invitations, we’ve put together some sample sale top tips, making your next shopping trip worthwhile.

1. Plan Ahead

Sample sales are an opportunity to get near perfect merchandise at a fraction of the price. It is often difficult to have information on the date and time of sample sales, although there are websites which list information about sample sales in each different city across the UK. Our first tip is make sure you do a little research beforehand. Take a quick look at the past few seasons’ pieces and also do a scan online of what pricing is offered on current online sales, you want to aim to be coming home with a real bargain.

2. Be on Time

Everything from what day you go, to what time you go, to how many times you go, matters. Try to be there on the first day, early, especially if it’s a brand you love. For some sample sales, most of the good stuff is gone on the first day. You don’t just have to go on the first day of it starting either, going on the last day of the sale, you will find further reductions. Giving you another opportunity to snap up some real bargains.

3. Take A Friend

If you are planning on going to a cool sample sale, whether it’s in London or Manchester – make sure you take your best friend. That way, once you’re both there you can split up and pick up all the cool accessories x2 so you can choose at the end what you’ll be keeping or putting back.

4. Choose Your Outfit Right

Who knew this little tip would be so useful? Always wear leggings as a basic to build from. This means you can always fit clothes over the top and so on, even if all the fitting rooms are occupied by other manic shoppers. Wearing a vest top as well will also come in handy so you can try sweaters, jumpers and even shirts/ blouses on over the top of your current outfit.

5. Only Buy What You Need

Yes, what you find is a fraction of the cost, but trust us: only buy the items you really need. Think well and hard if you really do need it, and don’t give into temptation! If you don’t want to pay the full price, don’t buy immediately, hold out for a little while. Sample sales can be stressful, try and have a good perspective on things. You don’t want to have a bulging wardrobe full of clothes you’ll never wear. That too is beyond stressful.

Edith Zamora