Boden Sample Sale in Pittsburgh on May 20th 2023!

The Boden Sample Sale is coming back to Pittsburgh! It will be at the David L Lawrence Convention Center on May 20th from 10am-4pm. At this point, I feel like a bit of a Sample Sale expert! I try not to miss it and have shared my tips in prior posts. But if you are new to the sale, I am happy to answer questions. Flat pricing continues and is a bit higher than the last time I shared.  Sometimes sale buyers get a special reusable tote with purchase! The last sale had giant nylon ones that say Boden on them. 

NOTE: It seems like the communal fitting rooms are a thing of the past. They stopped having them to adhere to covid-19 related regulations and have stuck with the practice even after regulations were sunset. They do have mirrors set up around the space, but without the half-privacy of a communal fitting room, you will want to be even more considered in your choices of underpinnings. 

Mini Boden Sample Sale Table featuring colorful clothing

I prefer to wear a base layer of tank top and leggings so that I can remain modest, as the event brings a crowd. Remember, all sales are final. You will want to try things on before buying and look things over carefully. In my own haste, I have bought many things over the years that I realized later had flaws. Holes, missing parts of a set, and even a few items with the word "SAMPLE" written on them, in permanent marker. Whoops! 

Boden Sample Sale Handbags and Accessories table

SOME TIPS: My strategy is kind of lazy. I don't think it is necessary to go at opening, especially if you are mostly going for womenswear. 

Boden Sample Sale Customers Shopping

Kid's stuff does get picked over faster, but there is almost always good stuff left over. The first shoppers always grab way more than they wind up buying. They take their big bags of clothes off to the side to consider and sort. Inevitably, they will weed out stuff and put back the things they decide to not get. So I always check the kids' tables a few times: when I arrive, after my first round of try-ons, and one last look before I check out. 

Be mindful of website prices as they sometimes beat the sample sale ones. You can search an item from the SKU number on the tag. If it doesn't have a tag, you can try a Google Lens search to get an idea of what it sells for. I try to make sure whatever I buy is a good deal and sometimes for certain items, the website clearance prices are lower. 

Recent Boden Sample Sale Price List

It helps to bring a big Ikea tote to contain the things you plan to try on, then I try them on, ideally twice. The mirrors are not super reliable (slanted and sometimes a little warped) so look in a few of them. If you have a friend, ask them to take a photo, since we know from Clueless/Cher those are more reliable.  

Finally, go with realistic expectations and an open mind. The sale brings the chance to see items in person that I usually only would see in a catalog or on the website. I know I am more likely to try on things I wouldn't have given second thought otherwise. It is a fun event and Pittsburgh is lucky to be the farthest west of the locations where the sale travels. Happy Shopping! 

Boden Sample Sale in Pittsburgh!

Save the date for a Boden Sample Sale in Pittsburgh (newly added to the calendar after the Hershey one fell through!) on Saturday, June 8th at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, downtown! From 10am-4pm. Register here for a $5 off coupon!

Boden Sample Sale Tote Bag

The last few sales have featured adorable and useful canvas bags as gifts with purchase! I use mine (shown above) all the time!! I'm not sure if this upcoming sale will have them but it was a great surprise and made the discounted purchases even more worthwhile.

I've written about the sale extensively before. It's very worthwhile for any Boden fans of their women's line. They often also have Baby Boden, Mini Boden, and Johnny B. They have a huge table of shoes and some accessories too. In the past they have had menswear though it has been years since the sale has featured much for men. My tips and tricks for the sale are included here and a price list is here. I am happy to answer any questions you may have about it. I will be helping to set up the sale the day prior and I will be there all day on Saturday so be sure to say hello if you go! 

Pittsburgh Boden Sample Sale Time!

Hey Pittsburghers, tomorrow is the Boden Sample Sale and you can get a $5 coupon here. The sale is cash or credit only. I missed the last one but am excited to go tomorrow. I won't be there at opening but there's always plenty there for any time you go. Previous sale write ups with some tips on strategy are here and here. For example, I always wear modest underpinnings so that I don't feel bashful in the communal dressing room. But regardless of your approach, remember that sales are final so beware of sale googles!

Good luck!

Price list:
ADULT PRICES: 
Tops: $25
Sweaters/bottoms: $30
Dresses: $40
Coats: $50
Shoes: $50
Sneakers, slippers, sandals: $25
Handbags: $50
Accessories: $20

MINI AND JOHNNIE B:
Tops/bottoms: $15
Knits and dresses: $20
Coats: $25
Shoes: $15
Boots: $20  
........................

This Saturday: Boden Sample Sale in Pittsburgh

Just wanted to let local readers know that the Boden Sample Sale is back in Pittsburgh this Saturday at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. I will be downtown for a conference so I am not sure if I will be able to take a break and stop by or not. But if you want to go, you can print a $5 coupon if you resister on the Boden website. You can read one of my previous reviews of the sale here.

Boden also has an online sale right now. Take 25% off with code 4H7Y. Happy Shopping!

Boden Sample Sale Spring 2015!

It's that time of year again, when the Boden sample sale comes to Pittsburgh! Tomorrow (May 2nd) will be my third time attending the clearance event. As usual, I am excited to go but not excited enough to line up for the 10am start. I prefer the opening frenzy to peter off prior to my arrival so that I can have a leisurely experience. Besides, I went late into the afternoon before and still came away with great pieces. That said, if you are looking primarily for Mini Boden it is best to go early. 

You can read my review of a previous sample sale here. Don't forget to bring a re-usable bag so that you can collect pieces to take to the fitting rooms. Also, it is useful to know that these fitting rooms are communal. Make undergarment selections, accordingly!

And lastly, remember to print your $5 off coupon so you can score an even better deal! Happy hunting!

Easy Scoop Tunic Boden Sample Sale Haul

I have a long backlog of OOTD posts to share and I apologize for the poor quality of these mirror shots, but I wanted to share a quick update on how I fared at the Boden sample sale this weekend. I didn't score as big as last time (when I found TWO dresses and everyone else in my household went home with something) but I did leave with a new dress.

Specifically, I selected another Easy Scoop Tunic in one of the prints offered last season (still available on clearance here). I know the Easy Scoop tunic from recent current-season Boden shopping. The difference with this one from my bird print version is the "tall" length. I didn't realize I would ever be a "tall" in anything. But for this particular style, "tall" is my preference. I believe the added length makes it more campus- and workplace-friendly vs. the short, casual feel of the regular length. Although the clearance price of the dress on the website is higher than the sample sale price I paid, buying online gives the option of returning if necessary.

Currently, you can get 25% off and free shipping and returns over $50 with coupon code: 4U7B. If you are spending more than $200, use code 8G3K for 30% off. Happy Shopping!

Boden Sample Sale tomorrow in Pittsburgh!

Heads up, Pittsburgh shoppers! Boden is holding their semi-annual sample sale tomorrow at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, downtown. You can read my posts offering recaps and advice on this sale by going here and here.

And even better, you can get a $5 coupon to use at the sale by clicking here. Remember everything is final sale so choose carefully!

Haul from the Boden Sample Sale!

Due to toddler nap resistance, the whole family wound up going to the Boden Sample Sale in Pittsburgh last Saturday. And we all did well! Chris got a pair of linen pants (not pictured) which will be great to wear during his work trips to Africa. Emilia got a sweater dress, knit tights trio (not pictured), and appliqué top for fall/winter. And I bought two work-friendly dresses shown above.

I do wish the sale was spread out over two days because after I got home I felt some not-buyers remorse about a few of my rejects but it is probably better that way. I am already looking forward to the next one!

Boden Sample Sale in Pittsburgh!

Heads up, Pittsburgh shoppers! The semiannual Boden Sample Sale is happening at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on May 31st, 2014. You can print a $5 coupon and access the full list of upcoming sales here.

Women's and men's:

• Tops: $25
• Sweaters and bottoms: $30
• Dresses: $40
• Coats: $50
• Shoes: $50
• Sneakers, slippers and sandals: $25
• Handbags: $50
• Accessories: $20

Mini and Johnnie B:

• Tops and bottoms: $15
• Knits and dresses: $20
• Coats: $25
• Shoes: $15
• Boots: $20

I wrote about my past experience at this sale and offered some tips for ensuring a positive experience here. Happy Shopping!

Pittsburgh Boden Sample Sale Review

This Saturday was the Boden sample sale in Pittsburgh and I was excited to check it out. A friend and I went together and both of us left feeling like it was worth our time, with some qualifiers. I wanted to review the experience in case others were curious about these traveling Boden sales.

The doors opened at 9am and I knew from another friend that the lines around then were LONG. The wait was mostly indoors which meant that things were at least climate controlled with bathrooms nearby. But I had no interest in standing in line so I met my shopping partner for brunch instead. By around noon (or perhaps a bit later) we made our way over to the sale and saw lots of people leaving with giant shopping bags stuffed with their purchases and no line to get inside. Items were arranged by category (women's, men's, mini-boys, mini-girls, Johnny B, shoes) and in some cases also by size within a category. There were curtained off communal dressing rooms and workers regularly returning discards to the shopping tables. Although there was no line to enter, at that point there was a long line to pay.

We kept a fairly leisurely pace looking through piles of things in the areas we wanted to shop. I checked out mini-girl things first because it was the first table I saw. Then I looked through each  section of the women's tables because although they were arranged by size, many items found their way into the wrong area. Finally I looked at shoes.

After trying on a few things, I did one final sweep through mini-girl and women's. I left buying a blouse and a pair of pants (not pictured) for me as well as a romper and a swimsuit for Emilia. I was close to buying two dresses in addition to the above but put them back because I was worried I was wearing my sale goggles.

The sale included items from the cycle of Boden's most recent online clearance sale that occurred over the summer. I also saw corduroy pants and tweed jackets and things from last winter. I liked having another chance to potentially buy things that got away (and see them in person before I buy). But the prices at the sample sale are also the same, if not higher than the online clearance offers. In my opinion, the added value of being able to inspect something in person before you buy becomes the reason to attend a Boden sample sale. The discounts alone are not steep enough to be the sole draw.

Some practical advice should you decide to go to one (list of upcoming sales here):
-Wear something that is easy to remove for try-ons.
-Wear underpinnings that enable modesty in a communal dressing room if you'd otherwise feel uncomfortable.
-Bring shopping bags to help you carry your "wants" and "maybes" around while you shop.
-Browse with an open mind, putting even tentative "maybes" into your shopping bag so you can consider them before buying.
-That said, be ruthless when you make final selections (see below).
-Spend a good bit of time contemplating if you really, truly want what you think you want before buying (all items are final sale, and as always, beware of sale goggles!!).
-If you are buying for yourself, try something on twice before you decide if you really want it and don't trust the highly tilted, (thus distorting) mirrors they have in the communal dressing room (ask for advice from a friend or have someone take a phone pic before making final selections-- think of Cher from Clueless who only trusts Polaroids).
-If you have coupons don't forget to bring/use them! (I brought two but forgot to use mine so I gave them to women who were arriving as I was leaving).
-Go late if you don't want to wait in line. There was still a ton of stuff left when I got there and none of that frenzied sample sale energy that stresses me out. People were mellow enough that I never felt like someone was crowding a pile I was perusing and that's a good thing.
-Bring or don't bring your little ones. I had family help that day so I was able to shop sans baby, but I saw many babies and kids there (some of who were happy clams, some of who seemed to be nearing meltdown time... I did see one smart mom who handed her baby off to dad and used her stroller as her shopping cart!).
-Happy Shopping!

Boden Sample Sale!

This coming Saturday, Boden will be holding a sample sale at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, downtown. I think I am going to go this time around! They sent me a $5 postcard and I have the email to print for another $5 off. I don't plan to go super early and wait in line so maybe my expectations are unrealistic. I just hope any lines die down at some point. Has anyone gone to this in Pittsburgh or elsewhere? I'd love to hear your experiences.

Kate Spade Sample Sale

Wearing the Kate Spade Nellie dress

For those of you who are fans of Kate Spade, there's a sample sale that launched on their website yesterday. I shared my thoughts on the fits of Kate Spade dresses here. Everything is final sale so shop carefully! And don't forget to use Ebates for 3.5% cash back!

If Kate Spade doesn't float your boat, you can use code woman@yoox for 15% off the "it's your day" section (so long as your order exceeds $200)!  There are some great deals to be had in Yoox's fall/winter clearance!

Adopt-a-Wardrobe Sample Sale

Hey Pittsburghers, a friend of mine organized this very fun clothing sale that will be occurring this Saturday. She used to be a buyer for Modcloth and she has fantastic taste. Lovers of all things vintage and vintage-inspired should definitely check it out!

The location (which is not on the flier because it is being hosted in her home) is very convenient for East Enders, just two blocks from the Brillobox in Lawrenceville on Fisk Street. If you want the exact address, please let me know and I am happy to pass it along!