Retail has an unusual cycle. Garment design and production happens 6 months to a year in advance of ending up on store fixtures.  We are shoppers of seasons. We like to shop when it’s time to shop. We are constantly shopping in our minds during the year. We stare into our closets anticipating that something will jump out and surprise us. What really comes as surprise is that we have everything we think we need but something is always missing.

Nordstom already had their Anniversary pre-season sale. Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s will be sure to follow. The focus for a pre-season is all about buying the newest looks for the season at a reduced price. However, we are in the middle of summer. Which thinking about the cool, fresh fall in the middle of a warm, hot sun filled sky days is difficult. When shopping a pre-season sale there are a few guidelines I try to follow:

• Take stock of all the cool weather items you have. This may mean cleaning out the closet or drawers. Consider how many sweaters you already have and what styles or colors you would like to have. Do you only have cardigans and no pull overs? Do you have all black and no color but want color?
• Go through your coats and take note: are they all short or are they all long? Would you like to have a choice of each during the season? Do you have all black or brown and would like to add color? Or be risky and buy something that is not consistent with the coats you may already own?
• Pants. Do you have only jeans and would like to add other fabrics to your assortment? Do you only own black and would like to add color or pattern?

These three points of focus are probably a good place to start. You may only be adding one major piece to your assortment or filling in a whole range of sweaters, pants, long sleeve tee’s ,etc. Whatever your reason to buy remember to put yourself in the season. By this I mean, think cool. Think leaves turning color. Think how cozy you like to feel on those days when the wind wants you to feel otherwise. The retail cycle will not change but how you shop can change.