Everything You Need to Know About Lilly Pulitzer’s Major Warehouse Sale Tomorrow

If you haven’t heard yet, the Lilly Pulitzer warehouse sale starts tomorrow. If you’re a Lilly fan, listen up, because Shoppist spoke with sale veterans to break down everything you need to know before you start pitching a tent outside the expo center tonight.

The Lilly Pulitzer warehouse sale is pretty much a sample sale on steroids. It only happens once a year, lasts three days, and there’s supposed to be twice as many samples as last year. This kind of hype requires strategy. So we chatted with some Lilly-diehards to get the scoop on how to maneuver this beast of sale. But first, the details:

The sale is held in the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (Hall C) in Oaks, PA. There will be signs outside to direct parking. It takes place Thursday, June 5 from 5am to 8pm, Friday, June 7am to 8pm, and Saturday, June 7 8am to 4pm.

What to Expect: Their website says to expect prints like Roar of the Jungle, Trippin & Sippin, Lulu & Island, as well as sorority prints and items like tunics, shifts, scarves, maxis, men’s ties and more. Past sales have included gifts, swimwear, shoes, jewelry and dozens of other prints, too.

Our Tips:

1. Check the sample section.  Miss out on a print from yesteryear? You might be able to scoop it up in the sample section at a fraction of its original price. This section is devoted to samples, returned goods, and slightly damaged items. If you’re lucky, you might be able to score a one-of-a-kind print or item that was never mass-produced.

2. Wear a bathing suit or cami and compression shorts. Like any sample sale, dressing rooms are in short supply. You won’t be able to try clothes on on the selling floor, but  wear form-fitting undergarments so you can change quickly in the dressing areas.

3. All purchases are final. Endorphins are going to be flowing, so don’t make any impulse purchases. That means: nothing ill-fitting that can’t be fixed by a tailor, faded sample items, or anything damaged upon reasonable repair. (No, safety pins can’t fix everything.)

4. Leave the giant purse at home. They give out huge pink mesh bags to throw your loot into. Pare your purse down to the essentials and bring a cross-body to limit bulk.

5. Don’t worry about getting there at 2am. Sure, if you want first dibs on the sample section (see #1), it’s probably smart to start packing (shoppers started camping out on Sunday last year), but veterans of the sale say that stock is replenished over the three days.

Bonus: They take Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, checks, and cash (no giftcards).

Bonus #2: Subscribe to their emails. In past years, they’ve sent out emails on the last day of the sale for buy-one, get-one-free on shoes. Happy shopping!