Shopping Find – July Fourth Sales on Packable Favorites

I hope you are having a fabulous 4th of July wherever you are.  If you are in the US and hiding out from the heat of the day (or taking cover from the rain in the northeast), you may find yourself seeking shelter in your local stores or doing some online shopping.  I did some reconnaissance yesterday to figure out where the best July Fourth sales were at some of my favorite places that carry items that compliment some of my favorite packing lists.

Lots of deals are out there with July Fourth sales – this is an important mid-year point for retailers to start getting rid of summer inventory before they stock up for back-to-school so deals are pretty good and inventory is not yet picked over.  It’s a great time to stock up on basics!

My top three picks from yesterday (based on overall inventory and prices):

1. Ann Taylor – It was hard to avoid the new inventory at the front of the store (lots of cute late summer pieces in red, navy, white, and black) but I made my way to the back where all sale inventory was an additional 50% off the lowest marked price.  I spotted several great work dresses in packable fabrics as well as a decent selection of separates.  While I resisted temptation (I really don’t *need* another basic navy or black dress), I could have scored dresses under $30 and tops under $20 easily.  They also have a few other good sales on newer merchandise – 50% off full-price jewelry and shoes, 40% off full-price shorts and cropped pants, buy-one/get-one 50% off select camis & tanks, and $19.50 select full-price tees.  Sale is “limited time” but it’s valid in-store and online (no code needed).
2. Anthropologie – I love Anthro for day-of-travel clothes.  They carry lots of cute and comfortable pieces that have a spirit of individuality.  I also occasionally find career wear there but have to dig a bit harder (and think creatively about how to mix it with my more basic staples).  I posted about a book find at their Summer Tag Sale a couple of weeks ago.  They are now taking an additional 20% off all their Summer Tag Sale items – and, at my local store at least, have continued to bring sale items out of the back to refresh the racks.  I scored two tops plus a couple more kitchen items of the sale table. Sale is “limited time” and valid in-store or online (use code BUZZ20)

   

3. Banana Republic – This is my go-to shop for most of my staple pieces for my packing needs.  Their sale section was overflowing (seriously, the racks were so full it was almost difficult to effectively shop) and they also had a few featured sale sections in areas around the store mixed in with full price items.  BR may have had the best sale out there – an additional 40% off almost everything (a few “never on sale” items were, as usual, excluded) including brand-new merchandise.  I’m noticing that these 40% off everything sales are becoming so common at BR that in my head, I automatically calculate the 40% discount anything I see a new item and then wait for another sale and buy online if I can’t find it locally.  That strategy works for me about 80% of the time especially as I get free shipping as a Luxe card holder.  I scored a black sleeveless top (poly/silk blend) for $9.90, black cardigan for $20.27, and a neutral maxi-dress for $45.99.  I also had $30 in BR Rewards notes to use from my credit card so that lowered the price on the dress even further!  Not a bad haul.  Discount code is BRJULY good through July 7 in-store or online.

   

I also finally found my white dress for $18 (at The Gap) and a white cardigan to go with it for $12 (at Chicos) as well as a couple of final sale steal off the back racks from Madewell.  It was not a bad shopping day and I didn’t spend very much at all.  Plus everything I scored will mix/match with my existing basics and can pack wrinkle free (except the white dress… and after searching for a cute one in a knit that didn’t have serious ugly “cling” issues or tacky synthetic fabric, I gave up and went with classic white eyelet).

Tomorrow I’ll start figuring out what to pack for one of my “combo” trips that starts Monday – a two day business trip to upstate New York from where I will go directly to Seattle for five nights at my sorority’s biennial International Convention.  The latter will require some specific packing needs for various events (including two formal evenings, an all-white ritual ceremony, four days of business sessions, and a couple themed casual events).  I’m trying figure out which (if any) of my Pinterest packing lists will be best to emulate!  Checking luggage will be inevitable (I’ll need half a suitcase just to bring home the presents we always get) plus I need to pack a few crafting items with me, but I’m hoping I can do my two rollaboard strategy again (one to carry-on, one half empty to check) so I can be prepared if something happens again with lost luggage!

Have you been out and about at the sales?  If so, share what you found….