It’s summer time, and that means it’s sale time in Southwest Florida. While there are some great deals to be done, a bargain is only a bargain when it’s something you’d have wanted or considered buying at its original price. So here are some of my sale shopping tips:
Mirrors do not lie. (Really, they don’t.) Make sure you’re in good lighting and can see your back view when trying on your bargain. If it doesn’t fit you in the shop, it won’t fit you when you get it home either. Remember to check the store’s return policy regarding sale items; it may differ significantly from their standard terms.
Things are in a sale for a reason. It might simply be that last season’s stock has to go to make room for the new, but it could also be something didn’t sell because of an odd fit, strange cut or a color that no one wanted. Any faults should be clearly marked, but it’s worth checking before you purchase. A missing button on a designer jacket or a broken zipper can be expensive to replace.
If you miss the first day of a sale, it doesn’t mean you’ve missed all the best pieces. Midway through a sale is often a good time to shop as more stock is reduced in price, and as the sale period draws to an end, some real steals can be found on the “final clearance” racks.
Here are a few great deals I’ve spotted lately at local stores:
Cotton jacket from Brooks Brothers, Waterside, $99 reduced from $198
Ladies “Luna” sandal from Clarks, Coconut Point, $59.99 reduced from $109.99
Floral shift dress from Ann Taylor, Waterside & Coconut Point, $99.98 reduced from $148
Striped “Audrey” top from Talbots, Waterside, Coconut Point & Bell Tower Shops, $41.99 reduced from $79.50.
Fashion expert Cheryl Lampard is the founder of Style Matters International, www.stylemattersinternational.com