Shopping A Season Ahead? When To Buy Spring Clothes.

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

We still have lots of bitter, cold winter weather here in the NE US. I am actually still looking for cute, flattering and warm pull-over sweaters. I am seeing lots of spring clothes out already. Lots of sheer, floaty blouses, sleeveless tops and dresses. All things that are so pretty, but make me go BRRR. I have a tendency to wait until the season is in full swing to buy clothes. Do I need to be shopping for Spring now or can I wait a little longer? I don't want all the good stuff to get sold out...but then again, I probably won't wear most of those things until May.

14 years ago Shopping

21 replies

Latest reply was from Aida chewyspaghetti Veteran

As quickly as things come and go, spring items will have come and gone by May. That being said- I'd only fill in huge gaps now or buy basics. The spring lines are still coming out.

14 years ago lyn* (website) Veteran

I am a Canadian. We do -45 all the time, so I look at pretty springy things and become bitter that it is -45 outside.

I used to wait until the season was in full swing before I bought anything, but especially cute dresses sell out in my size very fast. I usually buy when I find something I cannot live without, keep the reciept (just in case I change my mind). Sometimes I cheat and layer with sweaters and leggings and boots.

I already bought a spring top this year. Call me a rebel

14 years ago Angie (website) Fashion Stylist

When something is KILLER - it always will be. Buy now and hold on to it for later. The best stuff always comes out early - in my not so humble opinion. June onwards is not the best stuff of the season (fashion buyers do that for a reason - and I used to be a buyer).

Most of my Spring shopping is done :). I am already thinking about Autumn 2011.

14 years ago rae (website) Veteran

I'm shopping for Spring now as well -- not because I'm worried about missing out on good stuff, but because I want to be able to wear my new Spring stuff ALL Spring -- not just the latter half of Spring. Too many times, I've put it off too long, only to be very bitter that I still want to wear my cute warm-weather stuff in October.

14 years ago Vix Veteran

I've definitely been in the situation of having to scramble for clothes to fill gaps or alleviate boredom, so a part of me says, "shop early/now!"

Aside from the usual climate-related stuff, though, I've also been in the situation where I didn't know:

* what my lifestyle/job requirements were going to be (buy for current situation, or try to anticipate what would be useful?)

* if/when my clothing budget was going to replenish itself (save/wait then spend, or spend in wee drabs if possible?)

** if/when some weight changes were going to reverse themselves (buy current size and alter or donate later, or hold off?)

Sometimes all three things were going on at once...fun times!

If everything is as stable as it can be, then I find it's easier to buy what tickles my fancy early on.

Now is about the time I TRY to start pulling stuff out of the closet that is remotely spring/summer appropriate (I have lots of trans-season stuff) so I can get an idea of what already works together, what gaps I have, and what colors might best integrate with existing items.

SO boring (IMO!) but useful.

After doing this last winter I was able to nab some short-sleeved Ts etc in March that sold out a few months later; mine didn't see full daylight til June -- and I was glad to have them then! This year that technique is helping me justify a few impulse buys that I'm actually able to layer up now, but will work with the most warm-weather-y of my clothes.

Let us know how it goes for you!

14 years ago Lisa Veteran

In the past when I've waited until spring itself came, I would be running short on choices because summer would be moving in already. I would keep and eye out for wardrobe holes and killer pieces. Also consider, how many spring pieces do you need? If they can't be used in summer or layered for other times of year, will they still be useful?

14 years ago Anonymous

I always get a little stash of cash for my birthday in February so I tend to use that for my spring clothes. At this time of year, I buy some of the pretty new stuff that shows up in stores and layer it and mix it in with my winter stuff so it gets more use. I find if I wait too long I miss out on the good stuff and then have regrets. Most of my clothing choices are multi-season so I do get lots of wear out of everything. Very rarely do I buy single season items. I would say if it is something you love and can mix it with what is seasonally appropriate then grab it and wear it now. And wear it again in a couple months. You could probably use a little burst of color about now!

14 years ago Lynne Veteran

I love buying early when the full range of sizes and colours are still available...Angie, WOW that you are already up to Autumn! Your inner fashion buyer is still hard at work :).

14 years ago Syrah Member

Hi, I'm new, but have been a fan of YLF since 2008. This is such a timely post. I found a couple of irresistible sleeveless spring tops with zip up backs and just had to grab them because they would go so well with my (also new) pale orange tulip skirt. I felt silly buying them in February, but from what everyone's said about the best stuff being in stock early, maybe I wasn't jumping the gun after all. I didn't really buy many spring clothes at all last year so I'm short on wearable items. I was hoping to wait for the sales, but it's true that by then all the cute things are sold out in my small size. Plus, since it's still so early in the year I have some Christmas money leftover too. Time to get shopping!

14 years ago Kristen (website) Veteran

I tend to wait on truly "spring" clothes until they are on sale in a few months. Spring is one of the shortest seasons we have here in Chicago anyway; last year we leapt from winter to summer in about 3 weeks. I don't really need much for that!

14 years ago RoseandJoan Veteran

In this part of the UK spring arrives late but lasts a long time, summer is over in the blink of an eye and the winters are becoming increasingly longer and colder. I have been using my monthly budget to buy for spring since January. I now plan to take an 8 week hiatus whilst I save for a big ticket item (hopefully a cream jacket). The items I buy for spring can usually be worn (with a little layering) from April until October. I wore my boots all but three weeks of last year.

14 years ago Debbie Veteran

It is Spring and Summer here for about 9 months out of the ear so I'm always on the look out. I have started buying but haven't seen many dresses or skirts yet.

14 years ago maggiethecat Active Member

I'm not too fussed about being on the cutting edge of trends - in fact, I still have things left from my highschool and college days, and I wear them (I'm 29, and no, they aren't a) ratty nor b) MDAL-ish, I promise) - so I usually stock up on clothing for the rest of the year during sales. I rarely pay retail for anything. If I see a cute little sundress in January, or a nice thick wool skirt in July, I'll snag it; if it happens to be weather-appropriate I'll wear it during the remainder of the season, if not, it waits in my closet till it's time.

14 years ago SW Ann Veteran

I'm with Angie--when I see and try, I buy. I've learned things will be gone if I wait--I will only be disappointed. Unfortunately that means full price sometimes. However, many of my most favorite pieces I've gotten at the earliest of the season and now am still wearing them years later. If it's a piece I'm not sure about, then I wait.....

14 years ago Aida Veteran

I usually put off warm weather shopping until May-ish since we have so little of it, but this has meant that I find NOTHING that I like; by the time the warm weather rolls around in late July, I have nothing to wear and am very unhappy. This year, I'm starting early so I can (hopefully) actually find stuff. I'm hoping to have the bulk of my summer clothes sorted out by mid-late March.

14 years ago CocoLion (website) Veteran

I usually wait way too long for 2 reasons: 1) I don't have a feel for what I like in that season until June or July and 2) I don't have enough money to pay full price for stuff. I like to buy quality but the only way I can afford quality is to wait for it to go on sale.

Now I am trying to educate myself and form an opinion earlier about what I like and will work for me. Also by being more conscious I hope I will make better decisions, maybe pay more for stuff I'll get more use out of.

I purchased a short sleeve sheer Boho blouse for the season already, a red tailored blouse and a red chain strap bag so far this season. All three purchases based on info I've gleaned here about what looks good on me, what's a trend for s/s, and what I like.

14 years ago Carole Veteran

I always am so anxious for warmer weather that I love to start shopping early. Spring and summer are short here so I really shouldn't be shopping yet and shouldn't really buy much, but I'm on the hunt for some pretty blouses. I don't have any and have loved seeing all the beautiful flowy fabrics.

14 years ago Kristine Veteran

I'm a cold area too. I bought one spring top so far, and I'll add a few things as I find them. I'll probably do a bigger trip in April or May.

14 years ago Queen Mum Veteran

this is tricky for me, as I really don't like to buy stuff unless I'm going to be wearing it within a couple weeks. In fact, my rule usually is if I haven't worn it within a month, it goes back. I see the wisdom in buying early to get the best pickings, and to be ready when the warm weather hits, but I like to always be shopping (as in every month). I don't know what I would do during May through August if I had all my shopping done by April (well, yes I do know what I'd do... I'd buy even more stuff.) I have to space my shopping out and allow myself just a couple purchases per month. This suits me better.

14 years ago Jonesy Veteran

I am always looking forward to the next season, so I start looking at clothes online and buying well before the season actually gets underway.

14 years ago Aida Veteran

I'm always shopping as well. I'm planning on purchasing a couple staples, some skirts, light tops, sandals early. Then adding to them as the season goes on. Right now, I really don't have any of those things and I'd rather buy some now than have none and be unable to find what I want later (which is what usually happens).

14 years ago

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