Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale: Tips & Tricks To Shopping The Sale

Happy Sunday, Friends! I don’t know about y’all, but tomorrow morning I plan to be fueled up on coffee in preparation to shop what is probably the most exciting sale of the summer! The Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale is set to begin tomorrow, Monday August 22nd (at 8AM ET),  and go through Tuesday, August 23rd. 

Why is there so much excitement about this sale? Well, Lilly Online only puts items on sale twice a year, once at the beginning of the year, and again at the end of summer. Lilly retail stores do put some pieces on sale here and there, but the prices are never as good as they are during these two sales! How good are these prices? We’re talking shift dresses marked down to under $100, everyday dresses marked down to under $60, Elsa Tops marked down to under $100…these prices for Lilly are a only heard of through this sale (and the one in January).

Since these prices for Lilly sound too good to be true, y’all may be wondering, “How easy is it to shop this sale? Is this sale for me? How can I get the most out of this sale?” Below are my favorite tips and tricks to shopping the Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale. I have been shopping this sale for years, so these tips have definitely come in handy for me.

Have your account set up ahead of time

If you don’t already have a Lilly Pulitzer account set up, head over to Lilly now and do so (you can set one up here). If you don’t have one set up, you will have to do so before you can place an order. It takes a few minutes, and since items are literally flying off the site by the second, you want to be able to do as many things in advanced as possible. And even if you do already have one set up, go ahead and log in just to make sure that you remember your log in info…I know this can be easily forgotten. Also, while you’re already logging in on the site, make sure that your info (shipping, billing, payment) is correct and current. If you do these things ahead of time, literally all you’ll have to do for the order is click, click and click!

Shop Simultaneously 

I prefer to shop by multiple devices. For this sale, Lilly will put you in a virtual line. Now don’t freak out when you hear this! It’s actually a blessing, because in the past, the site has crashed from so many Lilly Lovers shopping the sale. Some were able to get on and shop while others weren’t, and guess what? All the good stuff was gone. So the virtual line allows you to have “your time” to shop. Also do not freak out when you hop on the site right at 8AM to find you are number 39,756 in line…the line moves fast! And a huge piece of advice, once you enter the site and receive your place in line, do not refresh the site! You will loose your place in line and will be moved to the very back of the line. So this is why I always enter the sale from my computer right at 8, and I also have my Mama enter from her computer at the same time. That way, we’ll both be in line and whoever gets in first can shop for the other. So, shop simultaneously from your computer, two computers, your iPad, smartphone, etc.

Shop Fast

Remember not to waste time during this sale. Try to know what you want well in advanced. Look through your Lilly. Are you wanting some new shifts for next summer? Are you wanting some cashmere cardigans for fall? Are you needing a new Elsa? Is there a certain print you’re wanting? Are you wanting some little shifts for your mini? Think about these things now and have a game plan for the sale. That way, when you enter the sale, you already have an idea of what you’re hoping to purchase. It allows you to shop fast! Items go in the blink of an eye, and nothing is “yours” until you hit “place order” so remember to make quick decisions. This leads to…

Shop Smart

I mentioned earlier that it’s important to know what you’re wanting, because all sales are final for this sale. Know what you’re looking to buy, and don’t buy just to buy. I have fallen guilty of that several times in the past and have wished that I could return some things, but that’s not possible with this sale. Set a budget of how much you’re willing to spend, if this helps you. It always helps me! It’s also important to know your sizing. I’ll share a little more about this later on in the post. But you can check out Lilly’s sizing info here! Lilly tends to fit generously. So, know your wishlist, know your sizing, and remember to shop smart!

Shop Throughout the Day

If needed, go get back in line! As the day goes on, the line pretty much diminishes. I always overlook items the first time (or two 😏) shopping the sale, so always remember you can place as many orders in the sale as you want! Something else I like to point out is that other online stores run amazing sales during this time as they’re wanting to match the prices Lilly has. I’ve found 6PM.com to be a great option in the past! 

What Should You Look For in the Sale?

Back to the game plan of what you should shop for…I always like to remember the “hot” items. Are you a bride? There’s always a great selection of white dresses in the sale! And for the wedding guests! There are always some gorgeous dresses to wear to weddings, homecomings, parties (think Christmas parties that are roughly four months away 😱). Speaking of, it’s a great time to knock out some Christmas shopping for the Lilly Lovers in your life. For the sale in January, I typically look for shifts, flouncy tops, Elsa Tops and baby shifts for Madeline all for the upcoming seasons. For this sale, I always grab up Elsa Tops, long Cardigans (See my stylings here and here…also, there are usually amazing prices on cashmere!) and baby shifts for Madeline for next year. *Side note: Did y’all notice that I grab up Elsa Tops during both sales? Well that’s because they are literally the magic top. I wear them year round…with shorts during spring and summer, tucked into skirts, with vests and riding boots during fall, and so much more. Not to mention, they are great for transitioning to seasons. They typically go fast, so I try to grab them up first…especially the solid colors!

Well, that’s about it for the tips I have found to be helpful in the past. And be sure to check out Lilly’s FAQs page for more!

Now, here’s a look back at some of my favorite pieces I’ve purchased over these past few months, along with sizing info. Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this page for a little (or big!) secret that you’ll want to take note of 😊

My dress // Madeline’s Dress (see original post here)

Sizing Info: Baby shifts run true to size but are generous as they go 12-18 months, for example. Cathy shift runs large…I recommend going down one size, wearing a size 0.

Dress (see original post here)

Sizing Info: Runs true to size, wearing an XS

Elsa Top // Madeline’s Shift (see original post here)

Sizing Info: Elsa Tops run true to size. I always get an XS, but I purchased a size S and M when I was pregnant! 

Elsa Top (see original post here)

Elsa Top // Shorts // Madeline’s Dress

Dress (obsessed with the pom poms!) 

Sizing Info: This dress runs true to size, wearing an XS.

Buttercup Shorts (see original post here)

Sizing Info: Runs true to size, wearing a size 2. 

My Dress // Madeline’s Dress (see original post here)

Sizing Info: Mila shift runs true to size, wearing a size 2.

Now, if you made it to the end of this long post, here’s something y’all may want to know! If you click on just about all of the products I’ve linked above, you’ll notice that most of them are not available. But don’t get upset because that’s actually a good thing! Lilly takes off all of the items that will be included in the sale days before the sale begins. So, from what I have experienced in the past, all of these items Madeline and I are wearing that say “no longer available” will actually be super on sale when the sale begins tomorrow! The items that are currently on the site most likely will not be included in the sale. So focus on items from the spring collections, some of the summer collections and pieces like the ones we’re wearing above.

Get excited, fellow Lilly Lovers! Set your alarms and make sure to fuel up with some coffee and have your devices, shopping buddies, and anything else you may need ready to go before 8! I suggest to get on LillyPulitzer.com a few minutes before 8 and keep refreshing until you receive a page telling you what number you are in the virtual line. Then stop refreshing, take a deep breath, wait patiently and enjoy the sale!

Check back here tomorrow for more on the sale. Get excited for the Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale! Do you have a certain item in mind that you’re wanting?

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