SPRING 2008

SPRING 2008

February 25, 2008

Oscar de la Renta
Cynthia Nellis,

Spring Fashion Trends
Wish You Wore Something Else? Don't Let Your Clothes
Embarrass You!
Silk fashion
Huge Selection. Compare Prices. Find fashion shoes

Runway: Blooms are a perennial spring fave, but this season
they come in fun sizes and colors.
Reality: To look modern, you need to pass on the ditsy
little prints and go for something bright and bold, like
hot pink or bright blue; graphic black and white floral
prints are great, too. Floral embellisments don't have to
just be in a print; look for flower embellishment,
tone-on-tone embroidery and accessories, too.

7 Secrets of Highly Successful Sale Shoppers

The golden rule of smart shoppers is to maximize each
purchase.

That doesn't always mean getting the best price, but
getting the best price for what you really want.

Find out more secrets of highly successful sale shoppers.

Off-Season Reaps Best Deals
The best shoppers know to scour sale racks for short
sleeves in November, wool sweaters in April, bathing suits
in September. What you give up in selection, you make up
for in spectacular savings (75-90% off isn't uncommon).
Learn Sale Lingo
An experienced shopper can distinguish a promotion from a
clearance, a two-for-one from a buy-one-get-one-half-off.
She knows that sometimes something as simple as free
shipping may add up to big savings, while 50% off on
something she doesn't need is a waste of money.
Make Friends With Sales Staff
A great salesperson is a serious shopper's best friend.Not
only will sales people tell you about upcoming sales,
some -- especially at boutiques -- may even hold
merchandise a day or two to give you time to take advantage
of the sale.
End-of-Season Gives Best Selection
You'll save big -- 40% and up is common -- and get to shop
from choice pieces if you shop immediately after the
season. The day after Christmas is famous for yielding
great sales on decorations, but did you know that retailers
slash prices on clothing for that day, too?
Invest in Classics
The most fashiony items will always be enticing when they
are on sale, but remember that even the cutest trends have
a short life cycle. If you want to get more than a few
months' wear out of your purchase, stick with the classics.
End-of-season sales yield great buys on pieces you'll wear
for years, from cashmere sweaters to wool blazers to
leather pumps.
Don't be Tempted by Odds and Ends
An embroidered skirt in teal from a big ticket designer at
70% off. Sounds impressive, but successful sale shoppers
know that picking around in the odds and ends can be a
disaster. If you don't have something in your closet to go
with the item or if you really don't need it (or worse, if
you don't love it and are just buying the brand) it's a
waste of money.
Beware Coupons and Buy-One-Get-One-Half-Price
Retailers often put stipulations on coupons, such as
requiring you to buy a certain amount before they take a
discount (e.g. $10 off $50 or more). It sounds like a deal,
but that example only amounts to a measly 20% discount.
Select shoppers know they only save about 25% when they
buy-one-get-one-half-price (ex: you pay $50 for one item,
$25 for the next: Total of $75 on what would have been $100
purchase, thereby only saving 25%).
reprinted from 7 Secrets of Highly Successful Sale Shoppers
by Cynthia Nellis,
Your Guide to Women's Fashion.