Get insider tips on shopping strategies and local sales every day in November, whether you're shopping for holiday gifts or treating yourself to some retail therapy.
DAY 30
Ensure Your Gifts Arrive In Time
Check retailers’ shipping deadlines, which are featured prominently on most retail websites. The information often lists the last day that customers can place orders for arrival by Christmas or Hanukkah.
DAY 29
Timing Tip #6
Stores start to mark down prices about six weeks after they introduce a garment, so if you find something you like that's just out of reach for your budget, give it some time.
DAY 28
Vintage Fakery
The only Louis Vuitton where the L is cut off is the backpack. Letters cut off at the seam area a huge sign. The R on Prada should have a notch on the leg. The G in Gucci—if it looks like an E, it's a fake.
DAY 27
Rinse Your Conscience
Buy labels that have committed to fair labor, domestic production, or sustainable practices. You'll rarely find the trifecta, and practices shift. But strides have been made at Eileen Fisher, Nanette Lepore, Justice, Joseph Abboud, 7 For All Mankind, five8ths, Patagonia, Hanky Panky, TOMS...
DAY 26
Cyber Monday Sale Alert: Cha Boutique
Get 30 percent off all boots, heels, flats, wedges, outerwear, sale items, and everything on the onesie rack at Cha Boutique (9666 Clayton, 314-993-8080).
DAY 25
Sales Alert: Byrd Style Lounge
Although Byrd Style Lounge (8117 Maryland, 314-721-0766) rarely runs a sale, the boutique is offering 30 percent off of purchases of $200 or more all weekend. Receive an additional 10 percent off if you bring a friend. Byrd is open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on Saturday.
DAY 24
Small Business Saturday Sales Alert: CLR-MNSTR
On November 24, celebrate Small Business Saturday with CLR-MNSTR (1300 Washington, 314-241-1930) from noon to 8 p.m. Deals will include discounts of 20-30 percent on select footwear and 20-50 percent on select apparel.
DAY 23
Black Friday Sales Alert: Leopard Boutique
Spend $100 or more on Black Friday at Leopard Boutique (20 Allen #100, 314-961-3220) for the chance to win between $5 and $50 off of your purchase. Or create your own gift bag for $40 by choosing from a selection of Tokyo Milk lotions, bangles, scarves, gloves and headbands. Leopard opens at 8 a.m.
DAY 22
Black Friday Sales Alert: Klutch Boutique
Shop at Klutch Boutique (1126 Town & Country Crossing, 636-220-6110) from 8 to 10 a.m. to get 30 percent off of your purchase, from 10 a.m. to noon to get 20 percent off, or after noon on Friday and all day Saturday to get 15 percent off.
DAY 21
Black Friday Sales Alert: East + West
On Friday and Saturday, get 50 percent off of all sale items at East + West (205 N. Kirkwood, 314-835-1419). In addition, all jackets and shirts are buy one, get one 50 percent off. All shoes are $20 off and come with a free pair of Happy Socks. Shop 9 a.m.–7 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m.–7 p.m. on Saturday.
DAY 20
Black Friday Sales Alert: Ivy Hill Boutique
Friday through Sunday, receive 20 percent off of everything at Ivy Hill Boutique (304 N. Euclid, 314-367-7004).
DAY 19
Black Friday Sales Alert: Blush Boutique
Starting at 8 a.m., shop early on Black Friday at Blush Boutique (110 N. Clay, 314-965-4411) to save 30 percent on full-priced items until 10 a.m. Receive 15 percent off after 10 a.m. and all day on Saturday.
DAY 18
Holiday Open Houses
Find inspiration and deals on Christmas décor at several holiday events happening this weekend, including the Ladue Holiday Walk.
DAY 17
Timing Tip #5
Befriend a salesperson who will tell you about special promotions or surprise sales.
DAY 16
Tips for Buying Quality, Part 1
1. Smooth lines: no rippling, bumpy zippers, or puckered seams or visible hemstitching or bungled lining.
2. Thoughtful details, like a tiny loop on a sleeveless dress to hold a bra strap in place.
3. Deep hems that can be let down if necessary; generous seam allowances
DAY 15
Sale Alert: k. hall designs
A great hostess gift, all cypress & cassis goods at k. hall designs (8416 Manchester, 314-961-1990) are 30 percent off through November 30.
DAY 14
Timing Tip #4
Stores start to mark down prices about six weeks after they introduce a garment, so if you see something you like, give it some time to score a major deal!
DAY 13
Local Gift Idea #2
Have a food-lover on your list? Give the gift of great cuisine. For every $100 gift card purchased at Niche, Pastaria, Brasserie by Niche, or Taste by November 30, get a free $15 gift card.
DAY 12
Social Network
On Twitter? Be sure to follow the accounts of your favorite stores. They often will post about last-minute deals and new merchandise on Twitter more often than on their store websites.
DAY 11
Timing Tip #3
Shop on a Thursday night; that's when most sales start.
DAY 10
Do Your Research
Just because the Angora's from Italy doesn't mean the garment wasn't made in a Chinese sweatshop run by an American manufacturer. Read (and research) the labels before you buy.
DAY 09
Sale Alert: Cha Boutique
Need a new party dress for this holiday season? From now through November 11, dresses are 25 percent off at Cha Boutique (9666 Clayton, 314-993-8080).
DAY 08
Local Gift Idea #1
Know a history buff? Make them feel like they've traveled back in time with the locally made Colonial Cressett™. Made by Olde Worlde Colonial Products, the cressett, originally used in the early 1700’s, holds a contained fire that can warm up a crowd in your backyard and can also be used as a planter during the spring and summer. Check it out HERE.
DAY 07
Timing Tip #2
The best clothing sales with full selection are in November; the best sales of all, but picked over, are after Christmas.
DAY 06
A One-Stop Shop
Looking for a cool gift that's not from a big-box store? Instead of hopping around from store to store, shop for items from more than 20 local businesses all in one place at the newly opened Collective at MX. Whether you're looking for home decor, pretty stationery, or a great new dress, this place is a must-stop shop this holiday season. 626 Washington, 314-707-2228, facebook.com/CollectiveMX.
DAY 05
Timing Tip #1
The fashion season is a month or two ahead of the real season, so that’s when you’ll see dramatic markdowns on the current season, as stores make room for the new shipments.
DAY 04
Old Webster Christmas Open House
Mark your calendars for next Sunday, November 11 for the annual holiday open house in Old Webster. Check out unique gifts at more than a dozen boutiques, from clothes to jewelry to personalized items and more. Also, make your shopping day fun by taking advantage of the trolley and carriage rides, Christmas specials, and more.
DAY 03
Plan Ahead
Make a detailed budget for how much you want to spend on each gift recipient you're shopping for, including what to buy. It's easy to make impulse purchases when shopping for those you love, which can add up quickly. Go in with a plan and stick to it.
DAY 02
Boutique Bartering Tips
At department stores, the trick is timing. At boutiques, it’s loyalty. Shop owners say they’re more likely to discount for customers who do the following.
• Come in frequently, even if it’s just to browse.
• Get to know them.
• Buy a lot at once.
• Understand and appreciate the merchandise.
• Don’t assume a deal or argue for a price break.
DAY 01
Sales in a Flash
Check out flash-sale sites like ideeli.com and fab.com for some of the biggest online bargains on name-brand clothing, jewelry, home goods, and more. Sales change frequently and usually last just a couple of days. Items on these sites sell out fast, so find out when the sales start each day to get the best picks.
