Plan Your Purchases

Impulse buying is really hard to resist but if you plan your purchases properly, you'll get more bang for your buck.  So when you're about to make an impulse buy:  Resist, Resist, Resist.   There are certain staples that you will need/want and those staples should never be an impulse buy (UNLESS it's on sale).

• Sunnies:  Saks' F&F sales have been very generous when it comes to sunnies.  Almost every brand is on sale (including Chanel and Oliver Peoples).  If you know you will need a new pair of sunglasses and it's a brand that doesn't usually go on sale, wait for the Saks' F&F sale.  In the meantime, check out Bluefly.com, TheOutnet.com, Overstock.com and Smartbargains.com for discounted sunnies.
• Trenches:  Every spring, trenches come back in style.  The best time to purchase a trench is when spring/summer merchandise are on sale.  You will not find a Burberry trench on sale when you need/want it (like right now), but you can find a Burberry trench on sale when it's out-of-season.  If you live near a Premium Outlet that has a Burberry store, go during summer or mid-winter.  If you don't live near one, check the department stores and Burberry's website during the same time.  But you can get a great trench from Club Monaco or Uniqlo for much less (even at full retail price).
• Cashmere:  For the most part, there is not a huge design difference between cashmere items from year-to-year.  Right now (late winter/early spring) would be a great time to pick up classic cashmere v-necks, cardigans, gloves, shrugs and wraps at end-of-the-season sales/clearances.  Check out not just the department stores ( and their respective outlet stores), but T.J. Maxx, Filene's and Loehmann's as well.  Also, don't forget to check online as well.  You never know when an e-tailer is having a huge sale or promotion (and some department stores occasionally have web-only sales).  Just remember to type "cashmere" in the search box.  This will save you from having to sift through non-cashmere items.
• Rain Boots:  This year in the Northeast, winter wasn't just bad.  It was terrible.  As a result, it seemed like every girl was scrambling to buy a pair of Hunter rain boots.  Unfortunately, there appeared to be a Hunter shortage in NYC.  You will need rain boots almost year round so don't wait until winter (when it's snowing like crazy) or spring (when it's raining like crazy) to buy a pair of rain boots.  Buy your pair (or two) of rain boots when you find them on sale.  It's pretty much guaranteed that when you really need a pair of Hunters rain boots, everyone else will too.
• Swimwear:  Buy your swimwear at the end of summer to wear for next summer.  Unless you are in love with particular unique style, who's really going to know?  I like to purchase my swimwear from J. Crew and Old Navy (yup - Old Navy makes great flattering/forgiving bikinis).  I've been able to pick up some great pieces for less than $20!  A good friend of mine has been know to purchase swimwear from Target, and they look great on her.
• Long-Sleeved T-Shirts:  I love James Perse as much as the next girl but do I really need to pay $50-$100 for a long-sleeved t-shirt?  Especially when I'm using it for layering?  Stock-up on long-sleeved t-shirts at Old Navy, Uniqlo, and J-Crew.  These stores usually have "buy more, save more" sales.  But if you really want something from a contemporary designer, check-out Loehmann's first.  Loehmann's usually offers a great selection of long-sleeved t-shirts by contemporary designers at a discount (James Perse, C&C California, Michael Stars, Splendid, etc).  BTW, the same goes for ribbed knit tanks.