This weekend marks one of the Holy Grails of Lilly Pulitzer-wearing: It’s the start of the After Party Sale in stores, aka #APS!
This only happens twice a year, so for those of us who like to “flammingle” in Lilly, it’s a huge deal.
Confession: I celebrate in Lilly every day.
Why Lilly? The bright colors and bold prints make me feel happy. I love Palm Beach, I love summer, and I love puns. Lilly prints are known for their fun names: “Toucan Play,” “Alpaca My Bags,” “Get Nauti,” “Spike the Punch.”
One thing Lilly clothes are not known for is being low-priced, but, being a personal finance editor by day, take it from me: All of your dreams of pink and palm trees are possible, even on a budget.
Grab your pink lemonade and get ready, I’m spilling the juice on getting the best deals!
Mark Your Agenda for the Big Online After Party Sales: Typically in January and early September
Plan your Lilly shopping around the After Party sales. These two sales are great times to stock up on essentials, and if you think beyond the season, you can get the best deals. For example, in the fall I try to stock up on sweaters, and in January, Callahan shorts are my go-to as I shop the sale.
As Lilly Pulitzer herself once said, “Being happy never goes out of style,” and neither do bold prints in fun colors.
But, be ready to be patient. The discounts are deep, but they come at a price—the virtual lines can be hours long. The sales typically start at 8 a.m., and I’ve immediately been number 26,000 in line.
To combat this, borrow as many devices as you can to start multiple suitcases (the Lilly version of your virtual shopping cart) at a time. If you leave something in your suitcase for too long, it can get erased. So, opening multiple suitcases and checking out frequently can ensure you get the items you want.
Note: This year, the APS will start in stores over the weekend and online at 8 a.m. on Monday.
Squeeze Out Great Deals In-store
Most corporate Lilly stores have a sales section, as do most signature stores. Scour these for last season’s looks at decent discounts, even when the After Party isn’t on.
Join Facebook Resale Groups
I’m a member of a half-dozen Lilly resale groups including Lilly Pulitzer: Dressed to Impress and Re-Lilly. These are great places to get steep discounts, but they’re also great for getting news on Lilly sales.
Invest in ‘Holy Grail’ and Vintage Items
“Holy Grail” pieces are worth the investment because they can be re-sold later and fetch even more money than you pay for them.
Lilly “Holy Grail” items include the “Stuffed Shells,” “Dark N Stormy” and “Let Them Eat Cake” prints.
And if you’re in Palm Beach, Florida, where Lilly got her start at her juice stand, check out the consignment shops. These stores can be gold mines for Lilly Pulitzer “white label” clothes. White label and Lilly Pulitzer Originals are vintage Lilly that date back to the late 1950s, but as with Lilly’s prints, her clothes stand the test of time.
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