How to Survive the Lilly Pulitzer Warehouse Sale
Hello there! I know that I am way behind on posts right now, and I blame that all on finals and beach week… but not to worry, I am back in action, ready to take on a summer of colorful posts! I have lots of plans and very exciting things coming your way! I am SO ready for blogging to become my only homework! I thought I’d…
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Hello there! I know that I am way behind on posts right now, and I blame that all on finals and beach week… but not to worry, I am back in action, ready to take on a summer of colorful posts! I have lots of plans and very exciting things coming your way! I am SO ready for blogging to become my only homework!
I thought I’d kick off my summer posts with an event that is truly one of a kind: the Lilly Pulitzer Warehouse Sale.
I wrote a post about attending the sale last June, and since then have received a few emails asking me to share a some tips about how to conquer the sale. My mom is a seasoned veteran (she won’t admit how many years she’s been attending this sale!!) but I have just begun to appreciate the sale and all of its craziness– although I’ve been dragged along to it many times throughout my childhood… It is definitely one of the most fun, colorful, and happiest shopping experiences around, therefore I am more than happy to share my sale tips!
Arrive Early
When I say arrive early, I mean early. We usually arrive
around 3:00 in the afternoon the day before the sale. However, we know people who arrive around 3:00 in the morning and still get a decent spot in line, so honestly don’t stress about it too too much. It is held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center not to far from the King of Prussia Mall (scroll down for the address and dates!). There are usually around
100+ people already here at this time, but these are the people who have been
camping out all week (yes, that is a thing) so there is really no competing
with them. We mark our spot in line by setting up camp. Last June there were no tickets for spots or anything, it was just whoever got there first just got a spot in line. But I will keep looking into how the sale will be run this year and update this post if anything changes! Be prepared to arrive as early as your schedule will allow, pull out a magazine, and
get comfy!
around 3:00 in the afternoon the day before the sale. However, we know people who arrive around 3:00 in the morning and still get a decent spot in line, so honestly don’t stress about it too too much. It is held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center not to far from the King of Prussia Mall (scroll down for the address and dates!). There are usually around
100+ people already here at this time, but these are the people who have been
camping out all week (yes, that is a thing) so there is really no competing
with them. We mark our spot in line by setting up camp. Last June there were no tickets for spots or anything, it was just whoever got there first just got a spot in line. But I will keep looking into how the sale will be run this year and update this post if anything changes! Be prepared to arrive as early as your schedule will allow, pull out a magazine, and
get comfy!
Pack Accordingly
We bring lawn/beach
chairs to sit in when we are in line, but I’ve seen a lot of people bring air
mattresses as well (with Lilly sheets and Lilly pillow cases of course). Usually there is a huge tent at the beginning of
the line, which is nice because it provides some additional shelter. But the tent only holds so many people, so be prepared to be in the crisp night air!
chairs to sit in when we are in line, but I’ve seen a lot of people bring air
mattresses as well (with Lilly sheets and Lilly pillow cases of course). Usually there is a huge tent at the beginning of
the line, which is nice because it provides some additional shelter. But the tent only holds so many people, so be prepared to be in the crisp night air!
I come wearing head to
toe Lilly (this is a no brainer!) but then usually change into comfortable and warm pajamas for the
night. In the past my mom has slept in her lawn chair in line, and I have crashed in
the car for a few hours from 2 am- 5 am.
To pass the time, we bring magazines, iPads, music speakers, cards, etc.– anything to pass the time. Also,
you will find us with lots of Twizzlers, Cheez-Its, apples, and Swedish Fish. 🙂 Snacking is key— so time
your snacks so that you reach a sugar high around the time that the doors open!
toe Lilly (this is a no brainer!) but then usually change into comfortable and warm pajamas for the
night. In the past my mom has slept in her lawn chair in line, and I have crashed in
the car for a few hours from 2 am- 5 am.
To pass the time, we bring magazines, iPads, music speakers, cards, etc.– anything to pass the time. Also,
you will find us with lots of Twizzlers, Cheez-Its, apples, and Swedish Fish. 🙂 Snacking is key— so time
your snacks so that you reach a sugar high around the time that the doors open!
Make Friends
We are all about the in-line chit-chat, so we tend to make friends with just about everyone. We also end up meeting people there and getting all together in line– it turns into a big party pretty quickly!! But don’t worry about going with a group of people you already know, everyone is so friendly, and there is an exciting energy in the air at all times so you automatically feel at home among other crazed Lilly lovers. It is always interesting to hear about how many years people have been attending the sale, where they’re from, what colleges they attend, etc. I’m a firm believer in six degrees of separation, so I always seem to find mutual friends of people I know!
Know When to Line Up
In the past the standing line to get into the warehouse started forming around 3:00 a.m. This is when we pack up our beach chairs, snacks, blankets, etc. and put them in the car (while someone from our group holds a spot in line). They usually open the doors around 4:00-4:30 a.m. which is when we are allowed to form the line inside the warehouse, where there’s a DJ playing classic girlie songs (think “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and nearly every Taylor Swift song…), snacks for a last minute sugar high, and the Lilly warehouse workers gearing up for the opening! I told you it is a party…
Be Strategic
They allow people to go into the sale in large chunks, and once you get inside it can be a little overwhelming (okay, very overwhelming). BUT, there are ways to minimize the freak-out moment that’s bound to happen when you enter a sea of thousands of brightly printed fabrics and way over-caffeinated suburban women… In the past they’ve handed out HUGE pink mesh bags that you can collect items in, so you don’t have to pile things in your arms. We usually make a mental list while we are waiting in line of anything that we are going to look for once inside the sale. If there’s a particular pattern we are obsessed with that season, or an item that we are eager to score, we make note of that. I’d recommend checking out the oldest items on the Lilly website beforehand, because it’s likely that those items will be the ones that they are trying to get rid of at the sale. It’s also been helpful to know what the other people in your group of friends are looking for so that you can be on the lookout for them! A dozen sets of eyes are better than one! Help your fellow Lilly-lovers!
Be (Politely) Aggressive
This took me a few years to master. Usually I don’t want to get in anyone’s way and believe that politeness should come first. BUT, this kind of timid attitude will only hurt your shopping strategy once you’re in the sale! Once you get inside, the racks are usually organized by size and item. For example, there will be a whole rack of shift dresses that are a size 6, a rack of vests that are size smalls, etc. This is where you might find a dress that retains for $298 that is on sale for $69. There are also tables and tables of boxes that have sample items. The samples are traditionally the least expensive items at the sale, because they are either products that are mistakes, are one-of-a-kind, or are really old items–which I love the most, because I’m a believer in that the older the Lilly, the cooler it is:) This is where you might find a sample cashmere sweater that would retail for $300 for $29. Spending to save!! We love. There are also tables with boxes of regular sweaters, accessories, shoes, etc scattered throughout the warehouse. If you are looking for a specific item, figure out where that is located in the warehouse and start there first.
Our group immediately splits up as we get into the sale and we just start filling our bags with anything that catches our eye. There will be a lot of women reaching for things at the same time so you just have to use your best judgement in being politely aggressive. But I’ve actually only experienced the best kind of Lilly-loving people during the sale, who will hand over their extra items to you!
There is also a portion of the warehouse that is curtained off to make a huge dressing room, so make sure to wear something that you can easily slip in and out of to try on clothes. All sales are final so definitely make sure that you LOVE each item you purchase! The dressing room is also where you will hear LOTS of commentary from random strangers such as, “Oh MY gosh, that Janice shift looks fabulous on you!” and “Let me know if that Elsa top doesn’t fit! I probably have someone in my group who would want it!!” It’s basically like a Lilly sorority house in there, I swear.
Standing in front of the infamous warehouse sale banner and the Lilly jeep last year– notice my bloodshot eyes and knotty hair! I never said that this was glamorous!!
I would highly recommend trying to get out to the sale this year, even if you just end up picking up a few things! You will not find the deals, the atmosphere, and the Lilly-loving people anywhere else, and that is what makes it such a special experience. Lilly sure does believe that life is a party and that we should shop and dress accordingly!!
Be Informed & Get Excited!
Dates:
Thursday, June 4th 5 am – 8 pm
(we have traditionally gone on the first day each year because it tends to have the most hype surrounding it!)
Friday, June 5th 7 am – 8 pm
Saturday, June 8th 8 am – 4 pm
Address:
100 Station Avenue, Oaks, PA 19456
See all of the information regarding the sale on Lilly’s website here and visit my post about my experience at last year’s warehouse sale here! This post includes more pictures of what the inside of the sale looks like too!
On a final note, if you decide to attend, I would love love love to meet you! I will be there on the opening day, and will Instagram about where I am in line! Follow me at @amybelievesinpink for live Insta updates!
p.s. With all of this Lilly talk, I found myself perusing the new summer arrivals on Lilly’s website! These beauties caught my eye… what will you be looking for at the warehouse sale this year?!
xxAmy
