Anthropologie items that never go on sale


I can easily justify paying full-price for many Anthropologie items. But there are those items that I am holding out on purchasing, waiting for a discount to make the price a bit easier to swallow. Had I been holding my breath waiting for some Anthropologie items to go on sale, I’d have passed out a very long time ago. While recently I’ve felt spoiled by items hitting the sale 60 days after rollout, there are several items on my wishlist that I eagerly check for every Tuesday only to meet with perpetual disappointment.

Like the Artist’s Tote ($68) above. I saw this in store way back in May, eargerly grabbed it, walked around the store with it but put it back to wait for it to go on sale. It will be in the sale pile by June, no worries, I thought to myself. Yet here we are in September and the item is still full price.


Or how about the Necklace Tank ($68)? This was in the spring rollout and it taunts me every time I walk through the store. I’m not excited enough about how it looked on me to pay full price for it. In fact I plan on buying it and un-bubble hemming it. It seems to be selling briskly in-store but I am holding out. I just hope it makes it to sale eventually.


The Soho Anthropologie in NYC seems to have its own rules about what goes on sale when. I actually did see the orange Ruffle Tier Tank ($48) on sale for a week or so in June. Unfortunately my size was already gone and the next week it was back up to regular price. This is an item I’d like to buy in multiple colors. I humbly suggest Anthropologie consider a 2-fer on this one. And not 2-for-$94 please. Something like 2-for-$60…no, nevermind, I’m still not paying that much.


The Puckered Scoopneck ($48) already lives in my closet in 2 colors, navy and grey (which is really a sandy beige). I see the “orange” (really a mustard yellowy-gold mix) layered under sweaters all the time in-store. So I grab the shirt but when it’s time to cull for budget reasons this one always ends up getting cut out. It would be much easier swallow at $22. Come on, Anthropologie!


Admittedly most of the items on my wishing for sale list fall into the basics category…at least as basic as Anthro gets anyway. The Stretching Acres Cardigan ($68) is no exception. Like a few of the other items I already own this in one color but I’d like to add a second. The cost per wear almost makes it worth it. But I have hard time justifying $136 on 2 versions of this sweater. That’s 68 Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers from Wendy’s. That’s 27.2 Double Tall Cinnamin Dolce Lattes. It’s almost two monthly Metrocards. It’s…uh…you get the picture…


I bought the Bombast & Cymbal Skirt ($88). Then I returned it. Then I bought it again. Then I returned it again. I really like the skirt but for some reason I would really like it better on sale. The color is great, it goes with several tops in my wardrobe, but I’m always able to justify some other purchase over it in my monthly budget. At $42 this would be impossible to resist. At $88, it’s tempting but forgettable.


My poor friend J has been praying to the Anthro gods for a sale on the Lorelai Halter ($268). While we both tried on this item and I found it to be a no-go via no support, it looked fantastic on J and she wants to wear it on an upcoming trip to Jamaica. I think we tried it on in June. Now it’s September, way past bathing suit season in-store and still this item taunts from full price land. And J pouts. I can’t blame her.


Finally, another friend of mine is pining for the Pinpoint T-Straps ($148). I caved and bought these (and I love them!). I get the death stare from her every time I wear them. Shoes are the worst because the popular styles sell out so quickly once they finally make it to sale. K is watching like a hawk. Other size 7.5s beware!

Are there any items you’ve been waiting to see in sale?

17 Comments

  1. September 11, 2009 / 2:07 pm

    velvet curtains :-

  2. September 11, 2009 / 2:16 pm

    So true. I didn't mention any homegoods because I've had two bedding sets on my wishlist since last year and neither have ever gone on sale. It's so not fair.

  3. September 11, 2009 / 2:34 pm

    Good post! I've been stalking several items, for what seems like forever, to go on sale, and nada. What I hate more than anything is when you wait and it ends up never going on sale and then being gone. I've learned if I truly love it to suck it up and buy it. If I would have done that, I'd have the Here, There, Everywhere Coat :-)Just a tip – check sale more than on Tuesdays – I've noticed they've been more random w/sale update days.I can't believe the Necklace Tank isn't on sale – I got that ages ago.

  4. September 11, 2009 / 2:35 pm

    I waited for the "Fluttering Pencil Skirt" to go on sale and it sold out online. I know it is probably still available in some stores, but I am going to try to sew a knockoff.

  5. September 11, 2009 / 3:01 pm

    Couldn't agree with you more. My S-i-L and I visit every week for items but concluded that there are certain items we know will not go on sale. I picked up 2 plaza cardigans last week guessing it will be all gone before going on sale. Oh Anthro, why do you do this to us?

  6. September 11, 2009 / 3:51 pm

    Ah yes, this phenomenon is so annoying! I pretty much perma-stalk Anthro's prices, and I have concluded that they schedule the sale of items based on their selling rate, so super popular items take forever to go on sale. I've noticed that items with a lot of press or who sell out or get back ordered quickly (the necklace tank for example, the old-and-new necklace, or the lost locale blouse) really will not go on sale for months and months, until the item is completely out of season…at that point it's usually sold out anyway, so you'll never see the sale price on the website. On the other hand, low selling items that are kind of ugly or have fitting problems or are just not popular for whatever reason can go on sale as quickly as a month.It's a waiting game pretty much, and sometimes it's hard to play because you know *some* of those are going to sell out! I bought the Behind-The-Clouds dress when it first came out at full price, because I liked it just that much. It sold out quickly, before it ever had the chance to go on sale. They brought it back in two other colorways (charcoal and teal), and I figured though I'd love to have a green version of the dress, since I already bought one piece, I'd wait for sale time. Of course it's been about 4 months and they still haven't put it on sale, and now the teal is already completely sold out and there is no charcoal in my size!Sigh, now I really want the Diaphanous Tunic, but I'd rather buy it at $45 than $88. However, it's another one of those popular items (the already released a new colorway!) so I suspect I'd have to wait till December if I wanted to get it…Anyway, sorry for rambling 🙂 I hope you get some of your items on sale eventually! I really like that tote and the Lorelai halter!

  7. Anonymous
    September 11, 2009 / 5:41 pm

    i have the artist's tote (birds). i pre-ordered and have used it nearly every day since (as a diaper bag). it's a great bag, definitely worth $68. i washed it the other day for the first time, and it still looks brand new.

  8. September 11, 2009 / 6:21 pm

    Don't forget the Caranday dress! Been waiting for that one forever!

  9. September 11, 2009 / 7:34 pm

    I love the stretching acres cardi. Drapey goodness. And the shoes are divine.

  10. Sleepynita
    September 11, 2009 / 8:47 pm

    I am waiting for the Wrapped in Ruffles Jacket, Endless Pleats Cardigan and Funneled Folds Cardigan (in blue only). Last week I picked up a few lighter items for next spring on sale. It was a good day 😉

  11. zyzzyva
    September 11, 2009 / 9:26 pm

    Argh. I've been stalking the Guimard Dress and the Reposing Cloud Cardigan since they each debuted online… I can't bring myself to pay $148 on a jersey dress, but considering they restocked it once, then added the other color/pattern it's probably never going on sale (plus the fact that both colors will transition well into Fall…). *sigh* I just caved on several items due to low stock and the ending of free shipping, though. Out of six items I only need to return two, but of course those are the cheapest ones! Oh, well. My bank account should be relieved that the free shipping is over. 😉 I don't know if anyone else did this, but a month ago I wrote Anthro a good sized email thanking them for the free shipping and telling them it made me feel valued/appreciated as a customer. I also pointed out that because of it I did nearly all my summer shopping with them. I received a very ice note back. My hope is if they get enough feedback like that they might consider extending free shipping (or fixed shipping) more often/permanently. One can hope, right?

  12. Anonymous
    September 11, 2009 / 11:23 pm

    I also have the same feeling with Bombast & Cymbal Skirt! Some days I love it I want to buy it full price, and other days I feel like I can wait for it to go on sale. I'm definitely bringing this one home as soon as it goes on sale!

  13. Jennifer
    September 12, 2009 / 12:57 am

    Yes, the Puckered Scoopneck is driving me nuts! I just can't pay $48 for it for some reason but then again I desperately want it and might have to crack under the pressure. I want it in several colors but especially the navy.

  14. September 12, 2009 / 2:36 am

    One day the Cirrus bedding will go on sale and it will be mine. Hopefully that day will come before I am too old and senile to remember I need it! I also feel like I've been waiting f-o-r-e-v-e-r for the Blooming Phlox tank. I check the sale every day, and I use the heck out of the "save for later" option. When items pop back after being sold out, it shows up again as being available, and at the current lowest price. I've been able to snag a couple goodies already this way, like the Cherry Juice racerback, for ten bucks. I really miss the free shipping already.Roxy, could you explain how you de-bubble-hem things? That would be awesome, thanks in advance.xyzzyva, what a good idea to write a thank you, I'll do that tomorrow.

  15. September 12, 2009 / 5:38 am

    Ooo, Kim, thanks for the tip about checking sale often. I thought I'd noticed some new items added last Thursday…good to know I wasn't hallucinating.Rachel I envy your sewing talent. Good luck re-creating the skirt. Depending on who makes items, Anthro is able to re-order them. I don't know if that's the case with the Fluttering Pencil Skirt.LOL annie cat. Same reason why I picked up the Diaphanous Tunic at full price. Fear of missing out on it.goldenmeans, what is unique to my love of Anthro is that even these items that never go on sale, I still want them when they're out of season. Usually with other stores I'm over an item once the season is over. Sounds like you're the same. Anonymous, so good to hear the Artist's Tote survived the wash. I am about to give in and get it.Lacey – *smacks forehead* You are so right! The Caranday Dress is another one on my wish list. Gigi – the shoes were worth it. Sometimes it feels good to cave.Sleepynita – congrats on the buys. The Endless Pleats Cardi is gorgeous. I hope you're able to snag it soon, on sale of course.Jennifer – I want to tell you to be strong, but I love my navy puckered scoopneck. It has to go on sale soon, right? Right??zyzzyva, what a great idea to write Anthro an email. I think I will do the same. :)CheesyGoodness, I am happy to break down how to de-bubble hem once I bring the next culprit home.

  16. Anonymous
    September 15, 2009 / 10:35 am

    roxy soo many of these items now on sale!puckered scoopneck, stretching acres cardigan, bombast & cymbal skirt, lorelei halter, pinpoint t-straps, and caranday dress! scoop them up!


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