Sratty Sites
- www.totalfratmove.com/tsm-wall … self explanatory
- www.simplybro.com
- www.jennabenna.com … get your Lilly letters!
- www.preppymonogrammedgifts.com
- www.2preppygirls.com
- www.marleylilly.com … monogrammed Derby hats!
- kieljamespatrick.com
- lotusandlilly.bigcartel.com
- www.lillypulitzer.com
- www.vineyardvines.com
How To: The Lilly Pulitzer Warehouse Sale
The Lilly Pulitzer Warehouse Sale was started 18 years ago and happens twice a year- once around mid-November and once around the beginning of June at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, PA. Thousands of women flock to this grand 3 day event but only because it’s oh so worth it. Although a true srat star would never admit she got anything on sale- especially her Lilly- we all know this is too good to pass up. So here is some survival advice from an experienced sale-goer.
Since there is no camping out allowed overnight at the convention center, the process starts the day before the sale doors open when people begin to line up inside. That night tickets are given out with your line number, so you can return the following morning to your spot.
To put the line in perspective, for the June 9-11, 2011 sale, I got to the convention center around 12:30 pm on June 8th and was the 148th person in line. By 3 pm, about 200 more people showed up. And by 6 pm, when the line number tickets were given out, there were definitely at least 800 people.
If you’re looking to be one of these eager beavers, bring beach chairs, blankets, and something to keep you busy. Each group of patiently waiting Lilly lovers sets up a blanket, plops down on beach chairs and whips out some food and a book. (But if you forget the food, the hotel attached to the convention center does have a few places to grab a bite… or some much-needed coffee.)
Once inside, each shopper is given a giant pink, mesh shopping bag, which they proceed to shove completely full of items and drag around the room. That is, except for the few, smart returning serious shoppers who bring their own shopping cart.
Depending on what you’re looking for may determine which day is best to go. The sale sells that season’s collection as well as seconds and samples, which can come from previous seasons.
The regular merchandise is constantly restocked throughout the 3 days and finding sizes should not be a problem on any day (except maybe at the very end of the last day).
BUT, if you’re looking for the first access to the true bargains with the seconds and samples, you need to be one of the first 150/200 people in line and literally sprint to those boxes (which are all the way on the opposite end of the room as the entrance.) These items are snatched up instantly and immediately thrown into those giant mesh bags, leaving the rows and rows of boxes completely empty after about 20 minutes.
Yet, if you miss out on the first dibs, some of these items do cycle out of the dressing room and back to the seconds table- just be ready to dig through heaps and mounds of clothes. Also, make sure to look around the dressing room. These items are discarded quickly but end up hidden in the piles of other clothes around the dressing room, so keep an eye out.
If you have the time, I’d highly recommend spending the day before in line to be able to get to these seconds and samples first; much of the items have super reduced prices for damages that aren’t even noticeable.
The first morning is madness. There is not only the long line of shoppers with line number tickets from the previous day, but a huge line of more people hoping to get into the sale as soon as they can after the doors open on that first day. Shoppers are let inside in waves, but it still gets pretty packed. This leads to a long line for the dressing room, which is just one giant space curtained off from the rest of the sale room. If you’re a shy person or want to avoid the dressing room all together, wear a bathing suit under your clothes. Although I never waited in line for more than 10/15 minutes, I have heard horror stories of people waiting an hour. So a lot of people take up corners of the room or the area right outside of the dressing room to start trying on clothes.
And a final piece of advice… keep it classy, ladies. Even though some crazies come to the sale ready to start a girl on girl fight over a dress, don’t be that girl.
Sorority Essentials
Basic Necessities:
1. Jack Rogers- Navajo sandals:
Preferably in a metallic color because these can be worn with any outfit. The colored ones are harder to wear daily. But once you have a neutral pair, you can dive into the colors to wear with select outfits.
2. Norts (Nike Tempo Shorts):
You’ll need at least one pair but true srat stars have a rainbow of these. They should be worn with oversized frat/shacker t’s to class. And considering they are made as running shorts, they are also a fabulous pair with your letters for when you’re working out.
3. Pearls.
These are a staple of all things sratty, preppy, and classy. Oversized pearl earrings look good with any outfit and scream sratstar. For a less dramatic look, humble-sized ones will do. A pearl necklace is also a classic look to pair with any summer dress or with any other daily outfit. But whatever you do, don’t cheap out in this area even when its pretty easy to. Many people will be able to notice and you will look fake and totally stupid.
4. Longchamp- Le Pilage tote
Also known as a srat sack, this bag in any color is the perfect daily tote to fit all your goodies or, in the bigger size, will work as a book bag.
Additions
1.Lilly Pulitzer- anything:
‘nuff said
2. Tory Burch- Reva Ballet Flats:
Although they’re a bit pricey for flats, get them in black and you can wear them with virtually everything to look classy and well put-together.
3. Burberry Accesories
This timeless pattern will always be classy. However, this is also another thing to never cheap out on. True sratstars can spot real Burberry in an instant, so those Canal Street imposters won’t win you any srat points.
4. Vineyard Vines classic tote:
VV even makes patterns for schools and srats. Find yours and rock it.
5. David Yurman bangles:
Ask your fratdaddy or real daddy for some of these gems. Although they are not a cheap snag, they’re definitely worth it.
