Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale August 2017

FRIENDS. :) I have some huge news. Today, I’m teaming up with Lilly to leak the details of the August 2017 Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale! 🌴 This year’s sale will start this Monday, August 28th at 8 a.m. ET (ish), and it’ll run through Wednesday, August 30th. Three whole days! And some little birds have told me that this will likely be the best sale ever. 😊 Get excited!

Above outfit details: Lilly Pulitzer Cabrey Shift Dress c/o, Sandals (Wedges here) and Bag

Anyway, I have a ton of fun posts going live over the next few days to hype up the excitement, but today, I thought I’d go over my tips for shopping the sale.

Tips for Shopping the 2017 Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale

Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale August 2017

🌴 Know how the sale works

Remember: This year’s sale will start this Monday, August 28th at 8 a.m. ET (ish), and it’ll run through Wednesday, August 30th.

Once again, there will be a “virtual line” in an effort to avoid site crashes and to ensure that everyone gets the chance to shop. When you arrive at the site, you’ll receive a number and a wait time, even if you arrive promptly at 8. Once you’re in, you can shop until you check out. When you check out, you’ll be placed at the back of the virtual line again. It’s pretty simple!

This process has worked extremely well in the past. While numbers and wait times might seem high, they’re not as bad as one might think. The line goes very quickly (often more quickly than your given wait time indicates), and you’re in before you know it, with TONS of merchandise left to shop. I also like that the virtual line prevents shoppers from going crazy and emptying their bank accounts.

Take note: It’s important to turn up the sound on your computer or device. Typically, you’ll hear a loud ding! when you’re let into the sale.

Also, keep in mind that all sales are final. Everything does, however, ship free!

Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale August 2017

🌴 Log into (or create) a Lilly account NOW

Create a Lilly account or, if you already have one, look over your billing address, shipping address, and credit card/PayPal information ahead of time, and then double check everything. The site will be down for several hours before kickoff time for sale preparation, so best to set it all up now. I recommend pre-loading both your credit card and PayPal info.

Leave the window open once everything is set up, and simply hit “refresh”–over and over again, haha–right before go time on Monday the 28th at 8 a.m. ET. Once you get in and receive a number, don’t close the browser, or else you’ll lose your spot in line!

Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale August 2017

Lilly Pulitzer Callista Shift / Lilly Pulitzer Beach Tote c/o (This one is adorable, too!)

🌴 Set reminders and alarms

The sale will start around 8 a.m. Eastern Time, so if you’re elsewhere in the country like I am, account for that. I recommend a lot of coffee if you live on the West Coast. 😂

And yes: lots and lots of people will be commuting or already at work when the sale goes live. Listen: it’s really not the end of the world if you can’t log on at 8 a.m. — I swear! I’ve logged on during lunch breaks or at night in years past, and I’ve scored some amazing stuff. The wait times are usually shorter or even non-existent later in the day, so that’s a positive, too!

Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale August 2017

((Original blog post here.)) Lilly Pulitzer Ocean Ridge Elephant Dress (Here’s the top. Have you seen the new elephant print collection?! Also love the alligator t-shirt dressthe sailboat t-shirt dress, and the navy swing t-shirt dress! Okay, and also the Marlowe t-shirt dress in “Multi Sea, Salt and Sun”), Sandals (Wedge version here), Bracelet (It’s actually an arm cuff but I didn’t realize, haha; love this one and this one, too!), Crossbody Bag (Also love this one and this one)

🌴 Remember that you can use multiple devices

I use my laptop to shop the sale since I work from home, but you can also shop on any internet-capable device. If you can’t be at your computer at the time of the sale, for example, utilize that phone!

Many sales ago, mobile devices and tablets seemed to work better than computers, but over the last couple of years, I’ve found that all devices to be reliable. Use whatever option you’re most comfortable with!

Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale August 2017

((Original blog post here.)) Lilly Pulitzer Lobstah Roll Popover & Kids’ Popover (All “Lobstah Roll” print clothing here.) / Lilly Pulitzer Flip Flops (Wedges here.)

🌴 Know your size

Lilly sizing is very consistent in my opinion, but from time to time, certain pieces–like the brand’s shifts, for example–run large or small. (FYI, I usually go one size down in Lilly shifts, but I always check the reviews before ordering.)

If you don’t own many Lilly pieces or are at a complete loss, do your research beforehand by reading product reviews and visiting fitting rooms. If you don’t live near a Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store, try department stores–like Nordstrom–that carry the brand. Oh, and here’s the Lilly size guide.

My best advice here, though, would be to go with your usual size when you’re shopping the actual sale if you’re not 100-percent sure. You can’t do very much about a product that’s too small, but one that’s slightly large can always be tailored or altered!

Note: I order a size XS in dresses and a size small in most everything else because I like my clothing a little looser. For reference, I’m 5’5 and somewhere between 105 and 110 pounds. I wear a size 34 A bra, and I have a long torso and not-so-long legs. I often need to get pants and dresses hemmed, but many of my friends who are 5’5 and have longer legs do not.

Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale August 2017

Lilly Pulitzer “Beach and Bae” DressesSandals (Wedge version here) / Crossbody Bag (Also love this one and this one)

🌴 Narrow your search by size, price and print

On the upper right-hand corner of Lilly’s site during the sale, you’ll likely see a couple of options: “sort by” and “narrow by.” There’s no use in wasting your time looking at products that aren’t available in your size, so click “narrow by” and select “size” first. During the sale, I tend to then click on “sort by” and select “price – low to high” next. I hear that this year, you’ll be able to sort by print, too. (Maybe that was available last year, but I can’t remember.) Everyone has her own method, though!

If you’re over-the-moon in love with a particular item and you have to have it, check out immediately. You’ll be placed at the end of the virtual line if you do this, but you won’t be heartbroken that you lost what you had your heart set on. :)

Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale August 2017

Lilly Pulitzer Callista Shift / Lilly Pulitzer Beach Tote c/o (This one is adorable, too!)

🌴 Act fast

Just because a product is in your cart doesn’t mean it’s yours. Sizes go quickly during the sale, and products sell out fast. Again: if you’re over-the-moon in love with a particular item and you have to have it, check out immediately. Shipping is free, so you can place multiple orders guilt-free. (BUT REMEMBER: Once you check out, you’re placed at the back of the virtual line. So that particular item needs to be really awesome.)

Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale August 2017

((Original blog post here.)) / Lilly Pulitzer Flamenco Beach Dress and Matching Baby Shift c/o (Also available in the little girls’ version. And I LOVE this romper and this t-shirt dress in the same print.)

🌴 Know what you’re looking for and set a budget

I think it’s somewhat easy to get caught up in the excitement of a really good sale, but it’s important that we don’t all empty our bank accounts and buy things we won’t have uses for. Identifying what you’re looking for ahead of time and setting a budget is of the upmost importance here. If you’d have serious regret if you spent over a certain amount of money, know what that number is, and don’t go over it.

I’m personally going to be looking for tops and pants, as I already own a good number of Lilly dresses that I adore… and I live in Chicago. Brrr! What are you looking for?!

Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale August 2017

((Original blog post here.)) / Emma’s Lilly Pulitzer Baby Shift

🌴 Realize that certain parts of the ordering process might run slowly

In the past, this is how it’s worked:

  1. You receive a confirmation e-mail within a few hours of ordering. (Not immediately!)
  2. Next, your order appears as “processing” while it’s being selected and packed up.
  3. After that, the order is marked as “shipped.” (While this process normally takes two to three days, it might be completed faster or much slower during the sale. Some people receive order confirmation emails immediately, while others see them a few hours later… and some people receive their products within a day or two, while others see their orders three to five weeks later. It’s normal! You can check your order status here.)

Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale August 2017

((Original blog post here.)) Lilly Pulitzer Brinkley Beach Pants

🌴 Be understanding if the site experiences problems

Like I mentioned, Lilly will likely be working to prepare the site ahead of time, and the virtual line is extremely helpful in preventing site crashes. But stuff happens. If you see the cute “Oh Shift” message or a notification that you’re “in line,” it’s highly probable that most other people are seeing that, too. (So you’re not missing anything!)

A sudden influx of traffic can cause issues for any site, no matter how much preparation. Last year, I saw very few problems, but if something happens, be patient and understanding. No need to get ugly and publish nasty Tweets or post mean comments on Facebook. It’s super nice that the company is doing this in the first place, right?! :)

Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale August 2017

((Original blog post here.)) / Lilly Pulitzer Dress (Old print, but the new “Beach and Bae” and “Sea Salt and Sun” prints are SO close! I’m obsessed with this silk dress, and you’ll see this dress and the matching baby shift on the blog soon, haha. See more faves below!) / Emma’s Lilly Pulitzer Baby Shift

🌴 Follow the kellyinthecity.com “Live Feed”

This is one of my favorite parts of the Lilly sale! The night before the sale goes live, I’ll be putting up a post called the “Live Feed” on kellyinthecity.com. I’ll be updating it regularly and “live blogging” about my experience with the sale. Be sure to follow along and join the conversation! It’s a fun (and hopefully informative) thing to do while you’re waiting to get let in!

🌴 Follow the Kelly in the City Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts

I’m going to be super active on social during the sale, providing as many updates and insider tricks as possible. (And flash sales/new products added!) This is my Facebook account, this is my Instagram account, and this is my Twitter account. Let’s be friends!

🌴 Follow Lilly’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts

Likewise, Lilly’s social media accounts are a great resource. ;) The brand usually adds a few new products throughout the sale, and provides a link to them–along with updates about the sale–through those accounts. Use ’em!

Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale August 2017

((Original blog post here.)) / Lilly Pulitzer Flamenco Beach Dress and Matching Baby Shift c/o (Also available in the little girls’ version. And I LOVE this romper and this t-shirt dress in the same print.)

🌴 Check other major sites for deals

This is a big one! Other retailers–like NordstromZappos6pm.com, RueLaLa and Amazon–will put a lot of their Lilly stuff on sale during and after the sale. I’ve found some great deals on those sites, so be sure to check ’em on sale day! (This is also a great thing to do while you wait to be let into the sale.)

🌴 Check Lilly Pulitzer Signature Stores for deals

They’re allowed to participate in the sale as well, but Lilly fans often forget to check in with them. Because of this, Signature Stores have some of the best stuff, long after products sell out online! Visit if you’re nearby, or call them.

Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale August 2017

((Original blog post here.)) / Emma’s Lilly Pulitzer Baby Shift / Sandals (Wedge version here), Bracelet (It’s actually an arm cuff but I didn’t realize, haha; love this one and this one, too!), Crossbody Bag (Also love this one and this one)

🌴 See Lilly Pulitzer’s tips for shopping the sale

They’re pretty good, too. ;)

Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale August 2017

((Original blog post here.)) Lilly Pulitzer Beach Towel c/o

🌴 Do the right thing

I don’t love it when people buy a ton of stuff during the sale just to turn around and sell it all on eBay for a profit. Let’s remember the high school girl who’s spending her hard-earned money on her first Lilly dress. Or the tired mom who’d like to buy a few things for her daughter. Or the college girl who needs outfits for “rush,” haha. Okay, I’m being dramatic. 😂

If something doesn’t fit you, fine. Sell or trade it. (Re-Lilly is a great option.) But let’s play fair. Just think of the joy you got out of your first Lilly dress. Don’t you want some girl out there to have that same magical experience?!

Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale August 2017

Lilly Pulitzer Jumpsuit c/o, Sandals (Wedge version here), Bracelet (It’s actually an arm cuff but I didn’t realize, haha; love this one and this one, too!), Crossbody Bag (Also love this one and this one)

🌴 Stay grounded

I’m certainly not going to judge you if you feel compelled to call out of work so that you can have first pick, or employ your family members and friends to “divide and conquer.” But remember to keep a level head. ;)  This is just a sale, and Lilly swears it won’t be the last.

Like I mentioned before, this sale will span three days, so you will have a chance to shop, no matter when you log on. And there’s typically another one that occurs in January.

Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale August 2017

Lilly Pulitzer “Beach and Bae” DressesSandals (Wedge version here) / Crossbody Bag (Also love this one and this one)

🌴 Good luck! 🌴

Remember: This year’s sale will start this Monday, August 28th at 8 a.m. ET (ish), and it’ll run through Wednesday, August 30th.

Anything I missed? Weigh in below!