In the fashion world, Fall has arrived. However, in the real world, fall is a month away which means this is a transition period for the world of retail. While advising some of my budget yet fashion conscience teachers, the best time of year to establish your wardrobe of your needs and wants without breaking the bank while catching the end of season sales. 

First, all clothing is marked according to colour, not style, which is why staple colours such as navy, black, white and grey are always last to be marked down or never marked down at all. Which means, if a colour  is very popular it will stay full price until it is out of season or completely sold out.

Second, the words sale and promotion have two very different meaning in the world of retail. A sale is when the product or collection is marked down 50% or more so it can move quickly to make room for the incoming collection.  A promotion is when a product from a collection is highlighted and is usually promoted for a week with a 20%-25% off the original price. Please don’t confuse the two.

Last but not least, the end of the fashion seasons does means great sales and discounts. However, it also means limited sizing, styles  and colours of the fashions that you have been eyeing all season long. Also you need to note,  if your size or favourite colour tends to sell out first. I suggest the following to you:

A.) Buy during the Fashion World season and hope to catch the item on promotion or use your teacher discount (if your favourite store offers one)

B.) Sign up of email offers from your favourite stores. Many times, subscribers receive online offers that they can use online or in store.

C.) Wait until the Fashion Season is over- sometimes you might get lucky, especially if your stalk the websites and markdowns of your favourite stores. Markdowns are usually  done weekly (this does depend on the company and level of inventory of an individual store.)

December-January-February: Baby It’s Cold Out side

• Real World:It is winter outside, and this is the best time to buy coats and sweaters at discounted prices because stores are preparing for their resort and spring collections. However, sizing, colours and style are very limited. So if you’re not too particular, wait until you can save as much money as possible 
• Fashion World: Swim-wear and resort wear and Spring  styles are in stores. Some styles will be on promotion. However, customers tend to order multiple colours and sizes a one time to find the perfect fit of swimwear so options are already limited. Act fast!

March-April-May: Spring Has Sprung

• Real World:  this is a perfect time to buy styles in classic colours. Designers are usually launching a spring and/or summer versions of their winter styles. Don’t wait too long, these go very fast especially that the classic colours are are on sale, shop fast!
• Fashion World: Summer styles are in Stores and popular trends and styles will be promoted.

June-July-August: School’s out for Summer

• Real World: Summer has arrived, and this is the time to buy summer styles and swim-wear on sale  because stores are preparing fall collections. However, shorts, polos, trends of the season and t-shirts in neutral colors will remain full price or on promotion because they are considered staples of any wardrobe.  There is one exception to this rule; when designers decide to change the style of a staple. For example, changing the neckline, sleeve length or fabric. Also, these neutral colours are usually used as uniforms for many schools and businesses
• Fashion World: It is clearance galore and stores are marking styles down aggressively which means styles, colours and sizes are going quickly. Also, early fall styles are arriving to stores and customers get a peak at what the fall fashions will be.

September-October-November- The Arrival of Autumn

• Real World: Autumn has arrived, all summer styles are officially gone and it is time to pull out sweaters, boots, layers and all things pumpkin.
• Fashion World: Holiday styles are a in full swing and resort wear styles are trickling into stores.

In conclusion, fashions arrive one season ahead of mother nature’s seasons and in order to shop the latest fashions, you need to shop in the fashion seasons but  to catch the sales, you need to shop in true seasons.