As we all grow more conscious of our purchases and consumption habits, it's more important than ever to apply scrutiny to our spending this holiday season—but in my opinion, that doesn't mean you couldn't shop at all this weekend. Since I clearly overthink all my shopping, I start planning my Black Friday / Cyber Monday purchases and budget months in advance, so I have a clear idea of what I'm looking for, what brands I want to support, and am less likely to be swayed by surprise sales and mediocre offers (be wary of those). So how do you tell if a sale is worth spending on? Here are my top five tips:
- Is the brand BIPOC-founded, women-run, sustainable, or demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion? This is also your friendly reminder that you can pay full price to support these brands today, too.
- Is everything on sale? A few exclusions are fair, but sales on "select styles" or "sales on sales" are usually to clear old merchandise from previous seasons. Unless you're looking for a specific style, skip these.
- Is this the only time of the year the brand goes on sale? If so, now is the time to stock up—but if a retailer regularly has sales and the items aren't likely to sell out, wait until their holiday sale next month.
- Are you buying for this season, or next? Prioritize purchases for this season, so you don't have to worry about something being out of style by the time the weather is appropriate to wear it.
- Lastly—and I try to ask myself this before any purchase—what are three ways you can style something new with pieces you already own?
Below are the main categories I shopped for this weekend—and I'd love to know what you got! Just hit reply.
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A Loungewear Set.
This one doesn't really need an explanation, but with a winter lockdown around the corner, cozy loungewear is still a must-have. Treat yourself to the luxe set or that cool brand you've been wanting all along.
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A Seasonal Sweater.
Sweaters are always great to stock up on Black Friday to fill gaps in your fall and winter wardrobe. Plus, they meet the only real standards to justify purchases in 2020: casual, comfy, and visible on Zoom.
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A Fun & Functional Coat.
Now is also a great time to pick a statement coat that will keep you warm, dry, and feeling cute all season—like this major Queen's Gambit moment.
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A Denim Staple.
Because I ripped my favorite pair earlier this month, and classic blue denim is always a worthwhile investment (especially when it's on sale).
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An Apartment Refresh.
Don't overlook home goods and decor on Black Friday—it's the perfect opportunity to support small businesses and local boutiques, too.
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More Sales To Shop
In addition to those above, here are the sales actually worth shopping, with an emphasis on small businesses (and a few can't-miss retailers).
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