Noteworthy summer sales
Plus, how I decide if it's something I actually want.
I know there are a lot of sales going on right now and not everyone is in the mood to shop. Personally, I’m someone who loves to wait for a sale to shop, so I wanted to share a few good finds with you. But, if you’re trying to avoid spending right now, feel free to skip this one!
“I got it on sale”—it’s something I love to say. Because the combination of finding a piece you love and not having to pay full price can be deeply satisfying. Note the emphasis on “a piece you love”—this is an important distinction so it doesn’t turn into shopping for the sake of buying something on sale. That almost always turns into regret for me.
In the past, I’ve shared the strategies I use to navigate sales and stay focused so that I don’t end up randomly buying things and am left wondering “How do I wear this?” Sticking to a list, taking stock of what I already have, pausing before checking out… these are all still very relevant to how I’m shopping these days, except now, I’m using another strategy to help me feel more confident that I’m buying a piece I’ll actually love (and not just because it’s on sale).
Years ago, when I was working with a business/money mindset coach to help me build my freelance career, she taught me a strategy to use when I’m feeling indecisive. At that time, it was mostly to help me decide whether or not I should take on a project, but I’ve now used it beyond work to also apply in other areas of my life, like shopping and spending my money.
In its simplest form, the exercise is this: visualize yourself after having made the decision and imagine how you’d be feeling. I know it seems a little “woo woo”, but in the context of shopping, it helps take me out of that moment of impulsiveness and forces me to look ahead into the future and pretend I already have the piece I want to buy.
Sometimes, when I picture myself already having it, I’ll experience familiar feelings of regret that I’ve had with previous purchases. Feelings of frustration because the piece didn’t quite fit the way I wanted it to. Feelings of being disappointed about the quality or unsatisfied with the purchase (and mad at myself for spending the money.) It’s as if all my hesitations have come true and they’re enough to snap me out of it. I realize I don’t actually want what’s in my cart—I only thought I wanted it because it’s on sale.
On the other hand, there have been times when I’ve imagined myself with a new purchase, and I get excited about it. I have that “I can’t believe I got this on sale” feeling and I can see myself wearing it in a number of different ways with other pieces I already own. I usually take this as a sign that it’s something I actually want.
Of course, this exercise isn’t completely foolproof. There are still times I’ve ended up feeling disappointed, but those experiences are much fewer. If you’re feeling unsure of a purchase, sometimes visualizing yourself already having the piece can help determine if it’s something you really want or if you’re buying it just because it’s a good deal.
The summer sales edit
There are a lot of sales happening throughout the American long weekend—just remember to double-check with the retailer’s return policy so you don’t run into any surprises. Some may be final sale or only eligible for an exchange or store credit.
Vitamin A is having an Independence Day Sale with 20% off using the code JULY4TH20 (plus, it’s free shipping to Canada). I own the Jenna High Leg One-piece in Cocoa and have raved about it before—one of my favourite swimsuits by far.
LESET is an extra 20% off all sale items. A few comfy, light knits caught my eye, like the Lauren Classic Cardigan and Zoe V Neck.
If you’re looking for summer dresses, Aritzia has plenty of different styles on sale. I like the Technique Dress as a summery daytime option, and the Rio Satin Dress for special events.
The COS US site is having a sale with up to 60% off (sorry to Canadian readers). It includes this Oversized Linen Shirt in Navy and this Cotton Drawstring Midi Skirt I bought a few weeks ago when I went shopping with a friend at Yorkdale Mall. I wanted to try it on after reading about it in
’s Substack—loved the ways she styled it here. It wasn’t on sale at the time, but I got 10% off for signing up for their newsletters.
Trying on the Cotton Drawstring Midi Skirt in Buttermilk (fits tts) Massimo Dutti is 40% off select items and I mostly found a few good sweaters, like this slouchy V-Neck knit and this lightweight linen one, which would pair well with these black poplin trousers. I also re-purchased the Milano zipper polo sweater in red and sized up for a looser fit (runs small).
I’ve been admiring Almina Concept’s simple and straightforward pieces for a while now, and the whole site is currently 20% off with the code July 20. Love the easy, relaxed look of these linen pants.
I had heard of the French brand Soeur before but started taking a closer look after
featured them in her try-on series. They’re currently having a sale on select pieces and the first thing that caught my eye was this small, cream Suzette bag. This Bahia jersey skirt also looks like sheer perfection.Heaven Mayhem is currently running an archive sale and my top pick? Their Icon Watch.
For shoes, Aeyde has an extra 20% off their sale styles with the code EXTRA20. I’m a sucker for a chic kitten heel, like these Paige suede sandals and these Stina leather sandals. But also, ballet flats.
More shoes, this time from Madewell (use code SUMMERTIME for an extra 30% off sale.) These Kira Sandals remind me of the sold-out Zara ones I mentioned here. There are also these Eleni Ankle-Wrap sandals that look like they’re from A.Emery, a minimal toe-ring pair, and a T-strap kitten heel.
For summer skincare, Sephora currently has 20% off facial moisturizers. My sister-in-law tells me she’s obsessed with the Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream, and I’m also curious about iNNBEAUTY’s Extreme Cream Moisturizer (is the hype real?) MERIT’s Great Skin Moisturizer is still my favourite to wear in the morning.
*This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small percentage from anything you purchase through a link, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate links help support the work that goes into these newsletters, and I carefully select recommendations based on what I love and would wear, regardless of a commission.
Picture already having it! How simple but smart. Obviously there’s the practical imagining of “what would you wear it with” but then considering how I would feel!! Thank you for this as someone who really doesn’t need to buy anything right now but is still tempted.
That watch is seriously tempting me! X