The Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale makes the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale look tame. There, I said it. Yes, the #NSALE might be huge and talked about a little more, but does it make the entire Nordstrom website go down for hours at a time? I think not.
I’ve been shopping Lilly’s APS for years and yes, I’m guilty as charged for being one of those people waiting online for five hours just to get into the Lilly website and shop. When I was living in Minnesota, the sale started at 7 am Central Time, and you know that I was definitely setting 10 alarms and dragging myself out of bed at 6 am to pull up the Lilly Pulitzer website on every device imaginable. It’s no secret that my closet has its fair share of Lilly Pulitzer items, and over the years, I’ve picked up on several tips to help you better shop the After Party Sale!
Do Not Refresh Your Browser at 8 am EST
I repeat. DO NOT. REFRESH YOUR BROWSER. AT 8 AM. The website will automatically refresh and place you in the virtual line. Refreshing your browser manually can and will place you farther behind in the queue {I’ve tested this myself}.
Items released just after the previous After Party Sale such as this Brynn Dress in Local Flavor are likely to be on sale.
There’s a 95% Chance The Website Will Go Down
This has been an issue especially after the influx of Lilly lovers after the Lilly x Target collab hit stores. Unless IT has worked the next thing to a miracle, just factor the time that the website will go down into your schedule. Sometimes it’s five minutes, sometimes it’s fifteen. Sometimes it’s an hour, sometimes it’s 3. The website will go down, we’ll all get annoyed and upset on Twitter because we’re cranky from getting up early and have been sitting in front of three different Lilly Pulitzer screens all morning, the website will go back up, and we’ll all spend way too much money anyway like it never even happened.
Jumpsuit from spring? Could go either way, but I’m leaning towards this Dusk Jumpsuit going on sale.
You Can Shop Early In-Stores
Officially online, the Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale is September 10th-12th for 2018, however stores will be having “preview” days where you can shop the sale on the 8th and 9th. This will let you try everything on and make your purchases before the stores are bombarded with calls and customers when the online sale hits. All sales are final during APS, so if you can make it to a store, do it!
White dress after Labor Day? Not a thing, traditionally. Wouldn’t be surprised if this Shelli shift hits the sale.
Item Sold Out Online? Call a Store
I still remember when the ONE item I wanted during APS in 2017 was the Going Coastal Marlowe and it sold out in my size online almost instantly during APS. One call to to the Dallas store who managed to find it at the Domain in Austin and a transfer call to the Domain got me the very last one in the company in my size! Stores ship to you with free shipping, just like the website, and the Domain sent a follow up handwritten thank you note for my sale dress that cost all of $49, which was a lovely touch.
Assuming this dress will be on sale. {Marianna Wrap Dress in Boho Bateau}
Take Out Allll of Your Devices
I’ve heard of Lilly lovers roping their friends and family members into this sale just so they have everyone’s phones, laptops, tablets, and what have you all trying to get into the sale for the one dress they want. The Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale – A true bonding and team building event for friends, family members, and co-workers. 😂 Seriously though, I’m guilty of having three devices out and open to Lilly to get into the sale. The number in line each of them was placed in was so different, that it was worth it completely. In past years, Lilly has claimed that everyone on the app gets priority access. I’ve found that it’s a little faster, but not substantial. Every minute counts in the first moments of the sale, though!
A few items in the print Aquedesiac {shown above} are already on sale, so I’m guessing that this skirt could go on sale as well.
Make an Account and Save Your Credit Card the Night Before
I’m usually not one to support saving card information online, HOWEVER, I’ve had items sell out literally as I’m checking out, so I’m all for it for this sale. Make sure you already have an account, are logged in, and that your shipping and billing addresses are up to date. Save the information for one card, and yourself the stress of having to type that information in while in the heat of the moment.
This asymmetrical sweater tank is a tossup, but I’m leaning towards yes. Click here to shop it.
Prioritize
As I stated earlier, things sell out within moments of the sale starting. Lilly doesn’t hold items when they’re in your cart. If there’s a dress or skirt you’ve had your eye on for the last season that you just HAVE to have, prioritize all of those items first, then checkout immediately. Shipping is free, so if there’s casual shopping you want to do that isn’t as focused, you can get back in line and shop again without having to pay shipping twice.
The print Boho Bateau {above} is already on sale in stores, meaning these super comfortable shorts are likely to be on sale as well {they’re my favorite}!
Shipping
If you’re shopping online, your items will ship the next day or a month and a half later. Shipping during APS is unpredictable and the warehouse gets backed up. If there’s an After Party Sale dress you have your eye on that you need sooner than within two months, call a store and see if they can find it for you.
The After Party Sale can be tiring and crazy stressful, but it can also be a lot of fun and you can get some awesome Lilly pieces out of it! Happy shopping!
xx,
E
P.S. Stay tuned on @eva_phan for a pre-APS giveaway. Lilly Pulitzer gift card? I can’t spill the juice. 😉
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Shopping the sale? Click here!
Photography courtesy of Will Ortiz, Yaron Erkin, Annie Fairfax, and Mia Nguyen
