Fashionista - Fashion Designers, Models, Shopping, Style

Nov 26, 2007 @ 12:19pm

With the combination of global warming and the surprising effectiveness of layering, we’ve been holding out on buying a winter coat with little discomfort.

We’ve been eyeing a few voluminous black wool coats that are absolutely perfect for this season’s sculptural silhouette, and we have a couple that we’ve been tracking online. OK, actually it’s more like stalking, but we can’t wait for them to go on sale.

Last week we got an email from Oak NYC, one of our favorite Brooklyn boutiques – and the home of one of our coat crushes. All outerwear was 15% off.

We were tempted, but we held out. Then, this week another email hit our Inbox. Everything in the store is now 20% off.

We felt the tug on our heartstrings, but again declined to purchase.

Our personal rule is that we never buy any item of clothing over $100 unless it’s at least 30% off, and preferably 50% off.

What number do you have to see on the tag before you’re willing to whip out your credit card?

--ALISON COOL

posted by jesspgh

Nov 26, 2007 12:39PM

I usually wait until at least 40% off but much prefer 50-60% sales.

posted by Laia

Nov 26, 2007 12:42PM

It depends, but as I learned from last season, I am holding out for the 80% off sale at Marc Jacobs. Other than that, 40% is my starting point depending on how expensive the item was to begin with. 10% off is a joke.

posted by guest

Nov 26, 2007 1:04PM

I personally don't get impressed unless an item is on sale for 25% off or more. That said, I do buy at full price if I really love an item.

posted by chic3

Nov 26, 2007 1:07PM

Anything 20% off or more is fair game. Bring it! Anything under isn't even worth it... as far as sales go. I'm also big on Free Shipping AND 20 percent off!

Nov 26, 2007 1:39PM

i say 30% off everything over $150.
for 50% off all merch from betsey johnson to rag&bone go to www.shopcaravan.com

your welcome!

posted by xxi

These days it's only on a "Do I really need this?" basis but even so it needs to be at least 50% off and actually worth the money. Just because a pair of jeans is marked down to 90 from 200, doesn't mean they are worth it. Hit 45 and then I'll add you to my 32 piece collection.

posted by Cynthia C

Nov 26, 2007 2:20PM

Gosh! I wish I could wait until things are 30% off!!! I'm lucky to get anything in my size at 20%! Size 0s and 2s go really quickly around here.

Nov 26, 2007 2:22PM

I need 60-75% off before I venture to a sale. There are way too many sample sales -- and the last weekend of the Barneys Warehouse Sale -- in New York for me to get excited about anything less.

posted by Jacqueminette

Nov 26, 2007 2:23PM

Depending on the size of my coffers, and the clothes on sale in question, 50%+ gets serious consideration. Perhaps 40%. But my age, social status, and occupation (student), when paired with my predilection for well-made items, dictate my attraction to the deeply discounted items.

Nov 26, 2007 3:53PM

If it's over $100, it had better be 75% off.

My best deal in a few months: Grey Ant high, braided waist jeans for $45. Yes, they start at $340. Gotta love Last Call. They're basically begging me to buy them. They're full price on the Active Endeavors website (and everywhere else for that matter). Also bought a Philip Lim 3.1 full-length gown at Barneys Coop for $110, full price was over $500... I'm still riding that high.

posted by Stef Alicia

Nov 28, 2007 6:22AM

but great sale/bargain aside, nothing hurts more than when you're eying something amazing and the sale on it gets greater and greater but then it disappears! it's happened to me one too many times that waiting for that great (elusive) 75% off is not as worth it as I'd love it to be.