In Spades

Style... in abundance

Sale Deals You Don’t Want to Miss

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know that this is the time of year when I do most of my shopping.

I make all of my designer and investment purchases during these end of season sales.

I stock up on all of my beauty supplies: makeup, skincare, hair care and nails.

I buy holiday gifts AND most of my birthday and other special gifts for the year.

With the bevy of sales, it’s easy to get lost in the noise or feel analysis paralysis.  Here are the sales I’m shopping and why I love them.

  1. They are from retailers with ethical supply chains
  2. They have great return policies
  3. The products are high quality – they’ll last forever
Aurate

My go-to for every day, fine jewelry.  Their pieces are solid gold (also offer gold vermeil) without the high mark-up.  The dainty studs I wear on the daily are from here.

Use code STUFFED for 25% off.

Violet Grey

This is my go-to for beauty.  While 90% of my beauty routine is green, clean beauty, there are some products I use that aren’t because their efficacy is SO good.  Violet Grey is my happy balance for carrying every beauty product under the sun.

Take 20% off this week.

Naadam

I’ve written about how amazing Naadam is before.  Their ethical, superior quality cashmere is an absolute must.

Their sale is up to 75% off.

The Big 4

There are 4 designer retailers I shop with the most.  Each has their own specialty.

Moda Operandi for an incredible mix of established and under-the-radar designers.  Go for Ganni, Ulla Johnson, Acler and Johanna Ortiz.

SSENSE for avant garde and off-the-beaten-path pieces.  Go for Moussy Vintage and Golden Goose.

Matches Fashion for the best selection of everything designer.

Net-a-Porter for the best mix of advanced contemporary designers.

The Indie Darlings

W Concept has an insane selection of indie designers, mostly from the Pacific Rim.  Use code BLACK2020 for an extra 30% off.

Garmentory is an aggregated boutique of all the rad stores throughout the country.  The best of the best curation.

The One That Got Away

Givenchy F/W 2009

It was 2009.

As soon as I picked up the hanger, I knew.  This piece was special.

It was a dress, in fact.  Wool.  Ruched bodice.  Gathered waist.  Snug.

The kicker was the neckline.  Prefaced with extremely strong shoulders, it was adorned with a heavy chain-link choker.  It probably weighed 10 lbs.

I looked at the price.  Originally $2800.  Marked down to $525.

Arm heavy, I marched to the dressing room.

Please don’t fit.  Please don’t fit.

Aw, f*ck.  It was made for me.

This was a dress you conquer the world in.  Nothing about it was timid.  Demure.  It kicked ass and took names.  It could do that resting on a hanger.  Imagine the possibilities once you put it on.

It was Givenchy F/W 2009.  The Riccardo Tisci years.

As a collector, I look back on this moment and think, “what an idiot!”

I had legacy in my hands – on sale to boot – and I passed it up.  What was I thinking?!

At the time, Sex and the City was all the rage.  Every woman in the world wanted a pair of Manolos.  And we all knew their going rate – $525.

This dress could be my proverbial pair of Manolos.

I knew what Manolos did for Carrie.  I knew they had the potential to changes lives.  Be the sole item on a wedding registry.  Disprove an urban shoe myth.

So why not make this Manolo monetary equivalent mine?  Why not agree to conquer the world?

Like I said, I’m an idiot.

Yes, it was my limited budget.  But it was something more.  At the time, work was my world.  And I couldn’t wear this dress to work, could I?  No, it would be too much.  Therefore, I had to pass.

I have since learned that when the perfect dress is staring you in the face, you buy it. It doesn’t matter if you have nowhere to wear it.  You pounce.

Because the occasion to wear it will come.  Anytime you frantically search for the perfect dress, you never find it.  Instead, you overpay for a mediocre runner-up.

Always have a conquer-the-world dress in your arsenal.  You never need permission – or an occasion – to conquer.

Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy F/W 2009… the one that got away.

ICYMI: The One That Got Away Volume I

Image via Vogue.com