Owning a product from Chanel is often for lux lovers like myself the ultimate goal. Besides Hermes, nothing is harder to obtain than a very coveted item from Chanel. Not only is Chanel expensive but often produced in limited quantities. So it would seem very odd that they would have sales. I had often heard whispers about Chanel being on sale but that always seemed to be in relation to find a gem at the outlets like Saks Off Fifth and Neiman Marcus Last Call.
But then i started following Luxe Hunt (seriously you should all follow her) and realized that Chanel sales happen TWICE a year at places like Saks and Neiman Marcus. These sales are in store only and normally require the help of a great sales associate (or SA for short). To even know what is on sale you normally need an SA to send you pictures of the item as nothing about these sales appear on line. Each store gets different stock and sometimes regardless of how on top of the sale you are the item you want in the size you need never went on sale.
So what does go on sale? Anything that is seasonal minus handbags and small leather goods (or SLGs). So think seasonal shoes, ready to wear and jewelry. That means if you have been dying after a pair of ballet flats but want the beige and black ones that you are out of luck finding them new on sale (but check out here for the options The Real Real has which is wear I bought both my pairs of ballet flats from.) But you COULD find last seasons bright colors classic ballet flats on sale! Unfortunately for me the bigger sizes are often already sold out (my theory is that Chanel does not produce as many of these sizes) so I had never been able to partake in the sale previously- even though believe me I looked!
Thanks to Luxe Hunt I was able to score a pair of beautiful espadrilles for $507! Yes that is not crazy savings (only about 35% off since retail is $725 plus tax on the particular pair I got) but for Chanel espadrilles I had been eyeing for years, that often resell used for about as much as they cost retail, it was worth it. As you can see the pair I got is a very classic pair. They are what Chanel calls a “flat white” but in fact they have a little bit of sparkle to them (more of an ivory), with the black cap toe. They came with their box and dust bags which is not something I would get with a used pair of espadrilles. Plus they are not worn in and stretched out by someone else which for me having bigger but thinner feet is often a problem.
So what are some tips for the Chanel sales?
1- Know When the Sales Are- Every year the exact days of the sale change but there is always one in the summer (around June or July) and one in the winter (around December or January). I normally find out about them via Instagram or my SA. I try to post about the sales as soon as I heard about them so make sure you follow me. (And if you don’t click here.)
2- Have a Relationship with an SA- This was really hard for me to build because I am often ignored by SAs because I look young. Luckily, I now have a great sales associate who loves that I am a bargain hunter and is always helping me try to track down things I want during a sale. The funniest thing is that she doesn’t even work in the Chanel boutique or the shoes at Neimans- she works in designer handbags!
3- Know Your Size- Chanel sizing is a little weird. Not all of their shoes come in half sizes (which is really annoying) and in general their shoes run about half a size small. So for example, I wear a 41.5 in the ballet flats and a 42 in the espadrilles. I have never tried on their heels but I bet I would probably need a different size in those too!
4- Luck- Honestly, have of the sale is being lucky enough to be the size that is on sale or lucky enough to snag the last one or the return. So best of luck to everyone out there!