- I recently shopped my first sample sale, where brands sell clothes at discounted rates.
- I was glad I wore an outfit I could try clothes on top of because the fitting room wasn't private.
I love to shop, and my most recent hunt for good deals led me to my first sample sale.
Sample sales are where shoppers can find name-brand and high-end items at heavily discounted prices, sometimes up to 90% off retail.
Many brands use these sales to get rid of overstock or clothes from past seasons.
But with big deals also come large crowds and strict limitations, giving sample sales their overwhelming, difficult-to-navigate reputation.
Here's what I did right at my first sample sale, and what I'd do differently next time.
My outfit was great for quickly trying clothes on over it
Sample sales typically don't have private fitting rooms, so I prepared to try clothing on in the open by wearing a tight top and bike shorts under a skirt.
At this Rent the Runway sample sale in Chicago, the fitting area was a communal space shared with seven other people. It was blocked off with a curtain.
Each person was allowed 10 minutes and 10 items in the fitting room, so trying pieces on over my outfit helped me save time and kept me from feeling too exposed.
I also recommend wearing shoes that are easy to slip off to help speed up the try-on process.
I avoided buying items just because they were a low price
It's really tempting to see a ton of designer items at low prices. I found myself grabbing pieces because they were only over $100 and on sale for $35.
But I kept myself in check by considering cost-per-wear while shopping to see if something would actually be worth it for me to buy.
I asked myself, "If I saw this piece for $10 at Goodwill, would I buy it?" For a lot of the pieces, I found I would've thought $10 was too much.
I gave myself plenty of time to shop
High-interest sample sales often bring large crowds before doors open. For the best shopping experience, I recommend getting there early.
I was able to sift through everything I was interested in, and I had time to think about my purchases before checking out.
Bonding with other shoppers made the experience way more pleasant
I expected the sample sale to be a bit cutthroat, but I was pleasantly surprised by how friendly everyone was.
The fitting area acted as a hype corner, where shoppers complimented each other. One person even asked my opinion on a dress and for me to zip it up for her.
Leaning into the positive vibes made changing in front of strangers way less awkward.
Next time, I'll wear something with pockets
Many sample sales have mandatory bag and coat checks.
Since I wore a skirt over bike shorts on the first day, I had no pockets and nowhere to keep my phone while I shopped.
Luckily, employees were handing out shopping bags so I could be relatively hands-free. I just had to make sure not to forget my phone in the bag.
I'll manage my expectations in the future when it comes to personal space
When I entered and saw a wide-open sales floor, I expected to have room to shop and browse, but that wasn't always the case.
The sales floor was laid out well, and there was plenty of room to sift through items, but personal space was another story.
On multiple occasions, shoppers were breathing down my neck to investigate out-of-season dresses or Theory tops.
Despite many racks having the same items, I was often confined to a few inches of rack space at a time by other shoppers.
At my next sale, I'll inspect the pieces better
At most sample sales, there's a chance some items won't be in perfect condition. A few pieces were clearly labeled with "stain" stickers at this sale.
Still, I only had 10 minutes to try on 10 items, so I failed to notice a hole in one of the dresses I bought.
Though it was my fault for missing it, it was still frustrating — especially since all sales were final, which is common at sample sales.
I'll also bring someone with me who can take photos while I try things on
The fitting area had large mirrors, but the sales floor didn't, making it hard to try on things like jackets and sunglasses while shopping.
Next time, I'll bring someone to snap photos while I try things on. This would've been especially helpful since the fitting room had a 10-item limit.
Lastly, I shouldn't have expected every piece to be a gem
Much like at a thrift store, you have to root through many items at sample sales to find pieces that excite you, reduced price or not.
When you do, though, it can be worth the hunt. I left with three quality pieces that filled gaps in my wardrobe without breaking the bank.