This is pretty much the last Fashion Friday of the summer. Monday is Labor Day, and since you can take the girl out of the South, but you can’t take the South out of the girl, I will most likely spend this weekend sifting through our wardrobes and pulling out anything white or pastel or otherwise too summery to wear after Labor Day.
If it was just me, I wouldn’t be in such a rush, but with three kids who have a way of latching onto a particular item of clothing and wanting to wear it come hell or high water or old-fashioned Labor Day etiquette, it’s just easier to rid their closets of the offending items right away.
The change of seasons always sends my OCD into overdrive. I actually have a whole system. I know, you’re shocked. But humor me, m’kay?
First, I will do the initial sweep of all whites and pastels and linens (not that we own linen, because, have you met me? I do not iron.) I’ll put them away in a marked box, and then I’ll wait.
In a few weeks, when the weather gets chilly, I’ll go back through and pull out shorts and short sleeves and the like, and add them to the box, which will, at that point, be full to overflowing, and I will be so dying to finish up. But, I will know, that it is best to wait a few more weeks because the weather on the East Coast is as fickle as any woman, and JUST when you think summer is finally over, you will get a week of 80-degree weather and you will need those short sleeves one last time.
So then, when I’m sure there’s no more Indian Summers lurking around the corner, I’ll do a final overhaul and remove the last remnants of summer from our closets and dresser drawers. Of course, in the mid-Atlantic states, that often doesn’t happen till about Thanksgiving.
At that point, I go through everything I’ve put aside and I decide what to save for next year, and what to give away and what to toss. And hopefully by Christmas I will be done, so I can start the whole process over again when Easter rolls around.
And no, this has nothing at all to do with Fashion Friday.
What I was starting to say up there, when I mentioned that this is officially the last Fashion Friday of the summer, is that THIS is the time of year to buy for next year. Everything summery is on sale, and stores want to clear out their inventory, and YOU get the benefits.
I know, I hear ya. Who wants to invest in summer clothes right now? BUT. Hear me out. This is the time to buy those kickin’ white jeans you’ve had your eye on all summer, or a new bathing suit, and especially clothes for the kids. Just think how excited you will be to open your Summer Box next year and have a few fresh, new wardrobe staples all waiting for you, knowing you only spent a fraction of their original price.
What? You don’t have a Summer Box? Really, you should try my method. It’s so nice not to have to rifle through out of season clothes every day when you’re deciding what to wear. Or maybe that’s just my issue. Ahem.
Anyway, here are a few places to find some great end-of-summer deals. Of course, you can probably find great EOS deals anywhere, but here are a few of my favorites:
1. Nine West: Shop the Summer Sandal Sale: Up to 70% off select styles + FREE shipping! Ends 9/15
Like, these are $34.99. Wouldn’t they be awesome under a pair of white boot-cut jeans? Or with your Joe’s Kickers? Or with a cute summery dress? I KNOW!
These are also $34.99.
There are tons more. I love Nine West shoes. Last spring, I happened by their store when they were having an end-of-season sale and I picked up three pair of ballet flats. I KNOW. Ridiculous. But I can’t wait to pull them out next week!
2. Athleta: Save up to 60% off on Athleta summer styles.
Athleta is a great place to get swimwear, and at this time of year, it’s quite affordable. I’ve already raved about the Oceanside Shorts. They come in solid colors and tons of pretty patterns. Most are $29.99 right now. Stock up. SERIOUSLY.
And their matching swim tops are all on sale too.
If dresses are your thing, Athleta has those too. This Teelicious Dress is reversible.
3. Banana Republic: Women’s Sale, Save up to 60%
Banana is probably my favorite store. The Skinny Crop Chino is just $19.99.
The Skinny Busted Bermuda Jeans Short is only $29.99.
And how about these White Straight Jeans for $49.99?
There are so many cute tops, I don’t know where to begin.
4. Old Navy. Got kids? Check out their Boy Bargains.
Unfortunately, I found the Girl Bargains to be rather slim pickin’s. But I just ordered these Old Navy Boys Side-Stripe Cargo Swim Trunks for my son.
5. I also love to check out the sale racks at the Gap. This time of year, you can get tops for like $3.99.
6. Kohl’s. Always a great place to get bargains. Check out Moms Need to Know for a 15% off coupon, good through September 6.
7. OshKosh. I love our OshKosh outlet for the girls, and they are running a promotion for 20% off your entire purchase with the code LABORDAY.
8. Nordstrom is having a clearance sale on women’s and children’s shoes.
9. Bloomingdales is having a Big Brown Bag Sale through September 6th. You’ll be saving 20-40% off and then you can get an additional 20% off with the code BIG20.
10. And of course 6pm.com always has great deals. The weekend deals this weekend are fab. KEEN shoes are up to 60% off, Stuart Weitzman are up to 70% off, and Charles David are up to 75% off. I wish I had somewhere to wear these Stuart Weitzman charcoal suede pumps. They’re an absolute steal.
Okay, so I know those aren’t summer shoes, but they are so awesome I had to add them.
Well, that should keep you busy for a while! Tell me, take advantage of end of season sales to buy ahead for next year? Where do you like to go?
Great finds Jo-Lynne! I see some online shopping in my future on this long weekend!!! I will also be checking ut the sales at Gymboree for my kiddies too!
Oooooh, Gymboree, good one.
Perfect timing! I just gutted my closet and my 9 year old daughter’s for the start of fall/school (the toddler is next!). There is something renewing about having bags of clothes to donate – and lots of newly empty hangers to fill! I love wearing heels, but don’t really know how to pull it off well casually – you’ve inspired me!!
I struggle with the casual heels thing too. I always feel way dressy in heels.
I’m always scared to buy ahead because what if it doesn’t fit come next season.
I am trying to teach myself that it’s All About The Layering. Thus, these end of season sales might still be in season after all. My favorite bargain hunting places are TJMaxx and Gabriel Bros ( here in Ohio). Gabes is kind of like a grungy garage sale, but is often home to last season’s Ann Taylor, JCrew, Liz, NewYork and Co and Sofft Shoes. I even recently saw a pair of Frye Shoes–in my size–but the heels were so high they were crippling. I passed. : (
I always buy for next year
Yeah Gymboree’s 30% off everything right now is fab. Fortunately or unfortunately, I have already stocked up on them for the fall AND next summer. And I’m on that shopping diet for me this month…but I got a ton of end of season stuff over the last couple weeks. Now shoes I can still buy… 
I try to hit up the Nine West Outlet store by me when they have all their clearance shoes for $14.99. I can’t almost always find something. Last year I found four pair of somethings.
This is no lie – my kid will not wear long sleeve shirts. And that hell or high water deal? He gotz it, bad.
Aerpostale has some great sales. And I notice A&F had some good deals in their store last week (if you like the plaid/Jethro look).
Thanks for the tips! I just got a super cute bathing suit from Athleta
I remember when the catalog came out and I saw those ocean side shorts I thought “Those are so cute but I’d never spend quite that much on a suit!” But $29.99? Yes, Please!