** Screams internally **
Now, I know an
H&M designer partnership launch is always the craziest time of the season and getting your hand on THAT particular piece you’ve been drooling over for the past 6 months can become quite an obsession yet, still very challenging. I’ve been myself a strong supporter of the movement ever since the infamous Versace x H&M collaboration a few years back and with time, if there is one thing I witnessed so far it’s that, shopping those exclusive collections always is ultra-competitive. So competitive, that you may need, as a matter of fact, a good shopping strategy to go through the whole process with ease. Let's talk savvy-shopper tips & tricks for the girl who wants (read here, NEEDS) to shop the
KENZO x H&M collection tomorrow...
1) Make a Top 10 List
Build up a mental list of everything you’d be interested in getting yourself before every major shopping spree. Try to keep it down to your top 10, this way, you won't go overboard, confusing wants, needs and just plain useless-but-so-pretty's ;) At this time, you don't have to take under consideration prices as we’ll get down to that in the following steps; basically, anything that would make you happy and could be of a great use is welcome on that list!
To make up you mind, also check out
available lookbooks and
inspiration boards so you can see the bigger picture when it comes to purchasing statement pieces likes boots, coats and evening wear. Basics, including tees, underwear, socks and bottom pieces generally come up on a need vs. want base.
2) Evaluate Your Wants vs. Needs
Once you're satisfied with your list, take the time to go through every single item, one by one, and ask yourself: Is that a want or a need? Then, prioritize your needs over your wants until you top off your allowed budget and if you have some extra pocket money left (you'd have been quite good already!), add on those pieces you don't need urgently but would still enjoy very much owning in your closet ;) This way, you'll end up happy about your purchases and won't have second thoughts nor regrets !
3) Fix Yourself a Budget
Speaking of budget, every good serial shopper will tell you that shopping without a pre-fixed budget can be a pretty bad idea… If you want to operate some damage control on your bank account, I recommend fixing yourself a reasonable budget, keeping in mind to include taxes (especially you my Canadian pals!). Then, take a 10-15% chunk off that initial amount that will act as a buffer on your wallet, preventing you to go too overboard with last-minute coups de coeur !
It goes without saying, do respect your budget once at the store (laughs).
4) Figure Out WHEN and WHERE You're Going to Shop
In store
With designer collaborations being more and more popular every year, there are a few things to keep in mind for a great shopping experience in-store… First check out
H&M's Store Locator page to find the location closest to you that will stock the collection. To all my Canadians gals, I've got you covered on this one (Pssst... This year the collection is available at the Laval store!):
BURNABY
Metropolis at Metrotown
MONTREAL
St. Catherine St. West at Peel St.
LAVAL
3035 Boulevard le Carrefour
TORONTO
Bloor Street West
Toronto Eaton Centre
Yorkdale Shopping Centre
VANCOUVER
The Pacific Centre
Then, keep in mind that doors will open at 8:00 AM (local time) on November 3rd, and that you may want to get there a little early (or a lot… I've seen people starting to queue on the night before the launch of the Balmain x H&M collection last year!) to secure your spot in the queue among the first costumers. I'm insisting on this point because as they did with their previous designer collabs',
H&M will hand out coloured bracelets to the first 420 people in line; 14 colours with one for each group of 30 customers, to be precise. Your colour will determine when it will be your time to shop in the designer collection area.
Each group will have 10 minutes to shop. There will be 5 minutes between each group for re-stocking. Also, the bracelets are only for customers shopping the
KENZO x H&M collection so if you are not in the first 420, you can still shop in the store as the bracelet system only applies to the designer collaboration. After the last group is done shopping,
H&M will open the designer collection area to all customers !
Online
The collection will go live at 8:00 AM (Eastern Time) on
hm.ca/kenzo so my tip to you is to do your timezone math and set a calendar alert! For the best chance at actually getting what you put in your cart, be sure to set up an account on
hm.com in advance and remember to save your shipping and billing details so your checkout goes smoothly, quick and easy! Online shopping regulars will agree with me on this one, this last step will
SAVE YOUR LIFE !
5) Keep in Mind the Purchase Restrictions
Very often, if you are planning on getting up bright and early on November 3rd to go and join the queue to shop the collection at 8:00 AM precisely, you might end up with some friends or family commisioning you to make a purchase or two on their behalf. Happens to me every year! To avoid any type of confusion, dissapointment or troubles at cashwrap, keep in mind that to allow as many customers as possible to buy from the
KENZO x H&M collection,
H&M will be limiting purchases to no more than two items per product.
The way I understand it is that, when it comes to shoes and garments, you will most likely have to choose two different sizes if purchasing the same pieces twice. As for accessories, if there is no sizing involved, you'll be allowed to purchase up to two, top.
This applies to all items in the collection.
6) Get Familiar With the Return Policy
So you arrived extra early to make sure to secure yourself a spot in the queue among the 420 first customers. You're in ! Somehow, when it's time to browse the collection, try on a few sizes and, pick and choose what you ultimately want to buy, the frenzy surrounding an exclusive collection launch on a Thursday morning can definitely become overwelhming and get on your nerves. If you're not feeling like waiting around for a changing room or to get in line at cashwrap for God knows how long, you can always pick up the pieces you might be interested in (remember, no more than two per item!), purchase everything and try it on/make up your mind quietly at home. It is indeed a great thing that returns from the designer collections are now accepted within the next 7 days!
Be careful though, items must be returned to THE STORE OF ORIGINAL PURCHASE with YOUR ORIGINAL RECIEPT. Items must also be UNWORN/UNUSED with TAGS ATTACHED. Lastly, I would assume that, just like in every other store, earrings and underwear may not be returned for hygienic reasons, of course!
As for online purchases, returns in the original form of payment on items that are returned
WITHIN THE NEXT 7 DAYS from the date the package is delivered are now accepted, although all online purchases
MUST BE RETURNED VIA MAIL. At this time,
H&M does not offer online returns in stores and items must be
UNWORN/UNUSED with
TAGS ATTACHED.
Photo credits:
Studio Emma Svensson©
