As an avid Lilly lover for many many years, I decided it was finally time to pay a visit to the Lilly Pulitzer Warehouse sale this year. I avoid crowds and hectic shopping situations at all costs. I am not a pushy shopper, I like shopping in peace and I hate crowds. But my fellow Lilly loving friend was stopping into town and we had to go. We braved the lines and ended up waiting about two or so hours but for two besties who hadn't seen each other in a couple months - the time actually flew by.
People come from out of town. People came out. People start lining up at 3am. People shop before the sun is up. We rolled in at about 10:30am after driving about a half hour to get there and I wouldn't have changed it. The line moved quicker than it had all morning, the stock is constantly being replenished and we had a blast.
This year, probably per the #LillyforTarget chaos there were rules, disclaimers and they meant business. Like you couldn't go inside to use the bathroom business. I mean just read below, in true Lilly fashion, the rules were even fantastic. Don't fling your best friend out of the way for a shift dress? Please, my best friend was grabbing clothes in my size and vis versa.
After waiting in line outside, you have to wait in a quick line inside but there is a DJ and you're so close! When you enter they give you a huge tote - like a person could fit in it - and you can fill it to the brim! People just take anything they think they might like since there isn't always huge quantities and you can sort later. Inventory is constantly being rolled out throughout the day so it's not like things run out after the first couple of hours.
Everything is pretty nicely organized. Some racks (usually the ones they roll out of additional stock) are a mixture of sizes but for the most part there are racks labeled with the size number or bins with small, medium, large, etc. The dresses are all together, the jewelry, shoes, shorts, vests, etc. are all in separate sections.
Everyone I encountered was nice and pushy but in a polite way. I mean, you kind of have to be! Just get in there, reach for what you want and hope for the best! I'm terrible at being aggressive in stores but it wasn't too bad. They also only let in a certain amount of people so it's not overly crowded.
We were worried about having to wait in a long line to check out but no worries were needed there. They have a TON of registers set up and we waited in line to check out for maybe less than two minutes.
At checkout they also gave us coupons for 10% off at two of the local Lilly stores that only lasts for the weekend. Lilly never has sales like that so one of the girls that was visiting last weekend and I popped into the store over the weekend and grabbed a few more pieces with the discount.
A little Q&A…
Was it worth it?
Yes and no. It's a long day and you have to search, you're not just going to walk in and find a million favorites. They are constantly bringing out new racks of clothes and if you happen to be in the right spot, that's when you can hit it big.
Is it complete chaos?
No. They only let in a certain amount of people at a time (praise the lord but also hence the long line). There is plenty of room and plenty of racks. But like I said, when a rack is rolled out it can be kind of hectic. You just have to go for it - I'm not pushy and would try to get in there and then just kind of go with it. That being said, everyone I encountered is nice and it wasn't unpleasant.
What are the prices like?
Good not great. If you're one of those people that camps out, then I think they are great because they have sample bins of old items, one of a kind or something that was limited and those are low priced and go really quickly. For examples of other prices, a typical shift dress that is usually $198 would be about $89 so not bad! A makeup bag that would have been $89 would be about $29. You get the idea.
Will I find the dress I saw in the store two months ago and loved?
Maybe. I wouldn't say to go into the sale looking for a specific item. Although, my friend and I did each find a dress we were hoping to find. It's sort of hit or miss. There is a ton of inventory there but not a ton of each item. We went in with the hopes of finding some fun pieces at a good price and were not let down.
By the time I got home - about 4pm I was exhausted (not exhausted enough to pass up on a night out with my parents but quite tired). We were laughing in line because we realized we are "getting old" since our legs hurt. The HUGE totes they give you to carry around your items we filled to capacity so my arms hurt and I was flat out tired. It was an experience, I'm glad we went, we had a great time and each scored a bunch of cute items. When we walked in about 4,000 people had been in before us. That was around 1pm on the first day of the sale so I can only imagine how many people ended up stopping by.
It's always in early June so that should help for 2016 planning!
WOW, look at you, lady! Great stuff getting so much LP swag. I don't know if i can do that kind of a sale anymore, I get annoyed with people pretty quickly, haha. Glad you were able to stock up :)! Have a fabulous Monday, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I could handle all the work it takes for this, but more power to you for doing it. I think the whole Lilly for Target thing totally took anything like this out of me (altho Im glad it was much more sane and humane lol).Glad you found some great things that you like!! Hope you have a great start to the week!
ReplyDeleteSounds fun! But that is coming from a girl who loves Black Friday lol. Can't wait to see what you bought!
ReplyDeleteAs much as I love Lilly I just dont know if I could do this sale and not completely freak out! I dont do well with large crowds and people pushing for things, it gives me so much anxiety! Ive never even gone out on Black Friday! But kudos to you and your friend for going, sounds like you guys scored some great things and had fun!
ReplyDelete<3, Pamela
Sequins & Sea Breezes
What a fun experience, and loving the Lilly themed jeep :)
ReplyDeleteI've never been to a huge sale like this, and it looks like you girls raked it in with your big bags!
SOO jealous!!! And totally wish I lived closer so I could just at least jsut once. But where is the pic of your purchases???
ReplyDeleteWowza - looks like it was quite the experience!! You need to share everything you got!! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston
ReplyDeleteWhat a crazy experience!! I've always found that I have to be in the right mood to shop. Even when we go to the mall, I have to be in the right frame of mind to even step foot into Forever 21 with all of the chaos. If I mentally prepared myself, I would LOVE to do this someday! I also want that Lilly Jeep :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks like an experience to remember! I would go with someone solely to people watch, but I'm glad it wasn't too psychotic. Like you, I don't handle crowds and generally rude people well when I'm trying to shop. Glad you found some stuff!
ReplyDeleteThat rule list is the best!! I headed over to our Lilly store this weekend to try shorts and the service was SO BAD that I decided I would just buy online. They are always so snotty and rude; it makes me so sad because I LOVE Lilly! I wish that we lived close enough to take advantage of this because I'm pretty open minded when it comes to this stuff - and you are so right - the 10% off coupon things never happen!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great adventure! Love the tips you shared! Not too sure if I'd be done down for all the digging though. ;)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun but exhausting shopping trip! Glad you were able to snag some good finds :)
ReplyDeleteKelsey
www.thepeacockroost.com
Great post. I'm always on the fens with these type of sales because I HATE crowds and rude people. I went to the Hermes Sample Sale a few years ago and it was insane. My mom was look at this ring and some one came right up to her and took it right from her hands. The SA literally chased her down and made her give it back to my mom. If she didn't they told her they would remove her for the sale. She gave it back and I'm now happy owner of an Hermes Kelly Ring. LOL. It's totally an adventure. Not sure If I would do it again.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad and scary that they had to put those rules in place. Can't more adults be courteous and respectful in a store, without being forced?
ReplyDeleteWow, that line looks huge! Definitely would be a fun experience with a friend, though. I hope to see what you all bought!
ReplyDeleteWow!! That's so awesome!! Sad that adults have to given rules though. :(
ReplyDeleteWow this sounds like a blast!! That's so so nice they restock and whatnot so everyone's not getting shafted (like at Target lol). Glad you were able to go and get some good stuff!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is pretty intense!! Where do they have sales like these?!?
ReplyDeleteI've never gone to a warehouse sale like this but I'd love to try it at least once!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea you were from there! That's my hometown! I have such a love/hate relationship with that sale. When I was in HS and college I lived for it, but now the end of Summer sale is what gets me!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome that you live so close to the warehouse sale! And love the rules...too funny!
ReplyDeleteThe information on this blog is very useful and very interesting. If someone needs to know about it.
ReplyDeleteChicago third party warehouse