Ah , Winter and early Spring: that wonderful time of year when you’re wishing for warm weather but still wrapped up in Puffer coats, aka the perfect time of year to shop for Sandals. Huh? Did she say she shops for flip flops when it’s freezing out? Yup. You read that correctly. I know, you think I’m crazy but hear me out.
Regardless of whether you live in temperate climates where you wear flip flops year-round or you’ve been wearing Uggs nonstop, this post it still relevant. Read on to hear why…. I know that March seems like a weird time of year to be shopping for flip flops unless you’re going on cruise or spring break. However, regardless of your climate or travel habits it’s actually the perfect time of year to shop for pretty much anything that’s designed for warmer weather. Here’s why: if stuff is out of season, it’s more likely to be on sale or not be so popular.
It sounds crazy at first, but it actually makes sense, right? If you’re a major retailer, your out of season stock isn’t as popular but it’s still taking up space and impacting your ability to sell current items like jackets and boots. So even if you sell it at a discount, getting rid of those bathing suits is actually going to benefit your business.
As a consumer, this is a major opportunity to get your hands on awesome pieces at a solid discount. Trends and styles do change but usually over a couple of seasons. And classics never go out of style. Take the pair of Birkenstock Arizona Sandals I recently picked up. Birkenstock’s have become super popular lately and will likely still be trendy this summer.
While the color may be discontinued, they’re still cool and I’m less likely to see it around, making my style even more unique. Birkenstock Arizona Styles typically retail for $100 or even more depending on the materials, color, and retailer. By shopping for them in the middle of winter I got them for only $60 which is 40%. That’s a pretty solid discount for brand new Birks.
If you’re looking for high end, designer sandals then don’t worry, the same principle applies. I’ve been obsessed with the Saint Laurent Nu Pieds sandal- essentially a flat version of the super popular Tribute sandals. They’re a pretty new style and retail for $595 but I found a pair online for $381 (via Coltori and Lyst.com). While may not seem like such a great deal but it actually is. This style was only recently released and is still in stores. So to find it on sale at all is a total win.
For online designer styles I highly recommend visiting a physical store if possible to try on the style you’re looking for (or similar ones) to gauge the fit and look. Designer brands are notorious for variances in sizing (both in clothes and shoes) and just because you wear a particular size in one style doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be the same size in a different one. I stopped by a local department store to try on a pair and I’m glad I did. I thought a 36 would fit but they were too small! I’d have been one super disappointed girl if I’d ordered the 36 instead of the 36.5 and found that they didn’t fit. If you can’t find a physical pair to confirm your size, I recommend doing some crowdsourcing, i.e. see if other buyers have left feedback on fit.
While I love finding great deals on new merchandise online and in stores, I am a self proclaimed thrifting junkie. Sometimes you even find new items (even designer ones!). Before the holidays I popped into my local goodwill and found a pair of Jack Roger Olympia wedge sandals at Goodwill for a cool $10 (Ok, $9.99 but there’s tax and all that jazz so let’s just call it even at $10). What I really loved about these (other than the fact that they were only $10) was that they are a spin on the really popular and trendy flat sandal. The have the classic Jack Rogers look with the stitching but are a cork platform wedge which means they’ll be super comfy in addition to being cute and stylish.
I know that some of you are thinking “ewww, used sandals?” and I hear you. I won’t buy really worn sandals unless they’re Hermes or Chanel and really really cheap. Even with designer items, sometimes it’s just a “no go”. I always look for wear and make sure they’re not nasty. And I ALWAYS clean them with some disinfectant wipes. A light cleaning is all these Jack Rogers cuties needed though. They’re practically new. If it weren’t for some very faint marks on the heels you could have told me that they were “new without tags/ box” and I might have believed you.
Another recent thrift find was a pair of Cole Haan Avani block heeled sandals in a beautiful blush suede color. While I love a good slide or flip flop (see all the above reference shoes….) Sometimes you just need shoes that aren’t at risk of falling off of your feet. Situations like running around New York City on a busy day or any kind of travel situation mean that you need to find a way to compromise on style, comfort, and functionality. This trifecta comes together in the Cole Haan sandals I found. The 2.5” block heel is comfy and stable with just the right amount of height. The dual, wide band straps are simple and chic combined with the sleek heel strap. The buckle elevates the simplicity to another level and provide that functionality that I need when I’m running around but want to look good at the same time. Just like the Jack Rogers wedges, these are practically new. They retail for $150 but I scored these gems at the local Salvation Army Thrift store for $20.
While shopping for open toe shoes when it’s cold and nasty out doesn’t sound logical it actually is the perfect time to stock up on warm(er) weather footwear. As you can see from the above examples, there’s really no excuse to pay full retail for any sandals unless they’re a special pair that you just have to have. And even then, if you’re savvy about it, you might even find those coveted sandals for less than full price. Whether you’re a thrift store junkie like me or like shopping new designer footwear, there’s definitely a solution for you to have your shoes and save some cash at the same time.
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