Le Garage Sale: A Shopper's Dream

It was the month we moved to Austin in 2014 and I had my first lash appointment with who I now consider to be one of my dearest confidantes and friends, Emily. As I laid on the table with my eyes closed and she lashed me up, we chatted about “get to know you” things with most of the questions coming from me: what were her favorite places to eat? Where were some fun places I could take the girls? Where did she like to shop? She told me I had to make plans to go to Le Garage Sale. She said it was a twice-yearly shopper’s paradise...a giant collection of local shops and boutiques under one roof and the prices were AMAZING. I listened intently as she described some of the great things she had gotten while shopping there. I filed it away in the back of my head and made plans to go. It sounded like fun, I love clothes and I love a good deal. Yes, this would be something I would enjoy.

More Le Garage deals: this pleated faux leather skirt for $15 and these strappy cobalt heels for $19.

Cut to 5 years later and I am about to embark on my 10th Le Garage Sale and to say I love this event might be an understatement. I am obsessed with it. I live for it. I build my calendar around it. I just changed out of town plans because there was a conflict with Le Garage. One year I shopped Saturday at Le Garage, left mid-day to drive to Fort Worth for a friend’s 40th birthday, then got up early and was back in time when the doors opened Sunday. Last year when Campbell was in competitive cheerleading we traveled to numerous mandatory out of town competitions. (Y’all might remember my insta-stories). Typically we were whipped and would spend the night and return home the following day. But when we found out she was competing the weekend of last January’s Le Garage Sale (no!!!!) I knew how it would play out. She would compete. We would get through awards. And we would haul ass home Saturday night no matter how late so I could make the sale Sunday. That’s exactly what happened and of course I scored fabulous deals that made every bit of it more than worth it.

This lace skirt was $30 a Le Garage and has taken me from the office to a cocktail party. The fun little black fringey shoes were $19.

Over the years I have enjoyed Le Garage Sale with several other shopping friends who “get it:” it’s the thrill of the hunt that makes it so fun. If you don’t like to dig a little, this might not be for you. I encourage everyone to try it as least once, but if you are a shop-off-the-mannequin or I-don’t-do-crowds kind of person, give it careful thought. If you think you might be up for the challenge even just a little bit, let me tell you why you need to give it a go.

Aquazurra shoes that retailed for $975. I got them for $97.50 at Le Garage!

The boutiques here are some of the area’s best and most unique and they are selling things at a fraction of what you would pay in store. Every rack is a sale rack. And the stuff is GOOD. I got $950 Alice and Olivia beaded sweatpants for $70. I got $975 studded suede Aquazurra stilettos for $97.50. And never mind the countless items I have scored for $10, $15 and $20. Le Garage Sale has been the backbone of my wardrobe for years. Plus it’s so much FUN! The energy is amazing, the selection is massive and there is even a DJ and rolling bar cart to keep you sipping and shopping the day away. Plus there are giveaways for gift cards and cool prizes throughout the event. I don’t want to brag, but I feel like my friends and I have gotten this down to a science and it’s only fair I share our Le Garage tips with you. So read on and take note!

TICKETS & PARKING:

You can get general admission for $10 but I highly recommend splurging for the $20 VIP entry which gets you in an hour earlier on Saturday morning. Plus the first 500 people through the door get a free bag to carry all your loot (you’re gonna need it!) and don’t forget to enter your name for drawings on your way in! Parking at Palmer Events Center is $8 and cash is preferred.

WHAT TO WEAR:

Some vendors have dressing rooms (basically pop up tents) but most don’t. Only once have I left my bag with a vendor and taken an item into the bathroom to try it on. That’s kind of a pain. Your best bet is to wear something tight fitting that allows you to easily slip things on and off. I always wear lulu leggings and a tank with an oversized sweater or sweatshirt that I can take on and off when I want to try things on. Don’t feel self conscious; it’s a free for all and everyone is thinking about the deal they’re trying to score, not watching you change.

WHAT TO BRING:

Extra bags! Some places offer bags but I find bringing a couple of oversized sturdy, recyclable totes is a good idea. I always pack them full and when they can’t hold one more thing, I scurry out to the car, unload, then bring my empty bags back in to fill them up once again. Most vendors take cards and cash, but sometimes it’s easier to negotiate a deal with green money in hand, especially near the end of the day Sunday when merchants are looking to move their inventory rather than packing it all back up. ATM’s are on sight just in case.

WHAT’S THERE:

Of course there are women’s clothes, shoes and jewelry galore but there are also tons of gift items, some home decor, stuff for guys and kids and other cool trinkets and treasures. It is packed with great stuff!!! Don’t forget there is a stationary bar as well as roving bar carts along with light fare like sandwiches and salads. Vendor maps are provided at the door.

STRATEGY:

This is different for different shoppers. I like to hit a few favorite spots that are always at the front then go up and down every aisle. My friend Deidra makes a beeline for the back for her favorite spot that sells everything at 90 percent off, then she roams the aisles. No matter how our group does the first half of the day, we always agree to break for lunch around 1:30 and head across Barton Springs to El Alma for delicious cocktails and food. We talk and laugh and discuss what we already bought then we head back to buy more. We always laugh at how our choices in shopping and our critique of each other is more uninhibited after a few margaritas! Le Garage is a blast and not to be missed. Hope to see you there!

Le Garage Sale is Saturday January 26th (10:00am for VIP entry and 11:00am for general admission until 6:00pm) and Sunday, January 27th (11:00am - 5:00pm) at Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road.

Admission is $20 for VIP entry and $10 for general admission at 11:00am. For tickets and information head to legaragesale.net.

And if you miss this month’s event, it will all happen again in August!

One of my life mottos? Tacos and Champagne of course! Lucky they had it on a tee shirt at Le Garage for just $20.