What to buy when everything is on sale
And what I'm not buying.
If you’re feeling lost about what to buy this Black Friday, you’re not alone. Normally, I can’t wait for this week to arrive and thrive on finding good deals. But this year, I’ve been more overwhelmed than anything. When everything is on sale, and there’s a gift guide for everything, it can be confusing and harder to discern the things I actually need.
Another part of it is me being overly cautious with where I’m spending my money. Maybe I’ve learned from too many past mistakes of being lured by shiny sales that they’re not always worth it, even if you feel like you’re getting a deal (in the end, you’re really not saving money if you’re buying something you didn’t need in the first place.)
Maybe it’s also more self-awareness that I have enough. I bought my dream Toteme coat when Mytheresa had a sale last month and just purchased a pair of knee-high boots I’ve been wanting, to replace an old pair of Stuart Weitzman’s I’ve had for six years. Two really good purchases that I waited for, saved for, and that satisfy me enough to tame any urges of splurging on a bunch of random things.
I recognize how fortunate I am to be able to (sometimes) buy what I want, so I try to keep things in perspective because I never actually need as much as I think I do. As my mom would always say to me when I was a teenager and spent my whole paycheque from my part-time job on clothes:
“How many bodies do you have to dress?”
I ignored her then, but I get it now. How many clothes can one person really have?
I share all this with you because maybe some of it will resonate and help you be more selective instead of getting caught up in the frenzy of sale season.
While there are a lot of great gift/shopping guides floating around on Substack right now, I wanted to try something a little different. To share a condensed list focused only on a few categories with some insight into how I’m trying to overcome the overwhelm and approach shopping more thoughtfully by parsing through what I need and what I’m definitely avoiding. (Contrary to my husband’s beliefs, I do have some restraint when it comes to shopping, and there’s a method to my madness!)
Here, for you, is a curated list containing a mix of wish list items and things that I feel are worth buying.
Boots
Black Friday is when I’ll shop for the investment pieces (like boots) I need so I can save a bit of money. I went back and forth between a few different styles before ultimately pulling the trigger on the Reformation Remy Knee Boots I’ve been eyeing for a while. Longevity is always a big factor in my decision-making when it comes to boots—will I love them for multiple seasons?
· Another pair of Reformation boots I considered, but I preferred the square toe and kitten heel on the Remy boots.
· These black Flattered zipper boots were on my mind for a while.
· Read a ton of reviews on the Freda Salvador rain-resistant Brooke Boots and considered them for an everyday option (some reviews said they work in snow, too!)
· Saw a mom at school wearing these Chelsea rain boots and couldn’t believe they were Hunter.
Sweaters
I tend to be pretty price-conscious when it comes to sweaters. If they’re expensive and high maintenance (hand wash only, bleh), I’ll never wear them. I try not to go too cheap either, that it compromises the quality because then again, I’ll never wear them. I like sweaters somewhere in the middle, and for the most part, I can find good options at Zara and H&M.
More and more, I find myself drawn to sweaters that are a bit more understated yet elevated. I look to styles from higher-end brands, like Jenni Kayne and Vince, and see if I can find something similar for a lot less. I’m also looking at what I’ve saved on Instagram for full looks, so I don’t impulsively buy a sweater just because I think it’s cute but have an idea in mind of how I’d wear it.
· Everlane Alpaca Crew
· Zara buttoned high collar knit, navy wool knit sweater, fitted cardigan, short sleeve ribbed knit sweater
· H&M rib-knit half-zip sweater, cable-knit sweater
· Aritzia Wildfred Lane cardigan
Beauty
I keep a list on my Notes app of what I need/want to help me prioritize my purchases. This includes beauty products I need to replenish and what I’d want to stock up on to take advantage of Black Friday discounts. I’ve raved about MERIT before, and they have one sale a year with 20% off, so I bought a few of my daily go-tos.
· Stocked up on their Great Skin Serum—I’m obsessed.
· Replenished on their Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick. People have noted it’s drying, but I always recommend using it with the serum—makes a huge difference.
· Their Day Glow is a really good highlighter for everyday wear.
What I’m Not Buying
To avoid buyer’s remorse, I made note of the things I definitely didn’t want to spend money on.
· Bodysuits: I bought a few long-sleeve bodysuits in the past that I regretted buying. I rarely wear them because I just can’t be bothered in the wintertime.
· Dressy clothes: I have enough that I’d like to get more use out of before I buy anything new. Plus, this time of year usually makes me crave comfort over getting dressed up.
· Jeans: I’ve been eyeing wide-leg jeans, but I think I have enough pairs in my rotation that I can hold off for now.
Some recommendations:
More tips for shopping intentionally from
’s newsletter, This line nailed what Black Friday shopping is all about for me:“And then I remembered that although I love a sale, I love it most when I find something specific that fills a gap and meets a need, at a discounted price.”
Loved reading this piece by
that helped me reflect on my own buying mistakes and prompted me to make my what-not-to-buy list above. It’s a good reminder of the things to keep in mind while you’re shopping.
I NEEDED to read this because the overwhelm of this BF resonated with me.
Such great tips