September 13, 2023

Cheat Sheet: How to Shop the Phillip Lim for Target Collaboration

Big weekend ahead, ladies. It’s time to put the finishing touches on your plan of action to shop the Phillip Lim for Target launch this Sunday morning (see below for timing details).

There will be Pashli doppelgängers. There will be leopard-print knits and graphic-print sweaters. And, yes, both online and in-stores, there will probably be a Single White Female-style free-for-all.

… I feel like we’re talking about the Fashion Superbowl. Don’t you?

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I was lucky enough to attend the Phillip Lim for Target launch party (where I scored this and this).

While I was there, I got the inside scoop from event-goers, avid shoppers and Target reps. So before you brave the Limsanity, read these tips on how to get what you want from the collaboration. Unless, that is, you’re eyeing that Boom sweater.

Just kidding — grab a pen, some paper (or maybe just bookmark this post) and let’s get to it. You’ve got this.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

  1. Target is doing the work for you. The brand claims they’l keep you informed of 3.1 Phillip Lim collaboration launch if you opt-in for e-mail updates and text messages. I wouldn’t rely on them for exactly when the collection launches online, but hey; might as well.
  2. Learn from the past. Target designer collections have landed online anywhere between midnight and 5:00 a.m. Remember Missoni for Target in 2011? My roommate at the time (hi, Michelle) pulled an all-nighter like a fashion champ. Thankfully, she shouted at me around 5 a.m. that the collection was live, 45 minutes before my alarm. Get a Michelle or a reliable alarm clock.
  3. Know this: Shipping is usually free if you spend $50 or more.
  4. Set your expectations. Though it’s impossible to predict how popular the Phillip Lim for Target collection will be, the consensus at last week’s party was that it’s about to be Missoni-pocalypse: The Sequel. I’ve heard there’s limited supply of each item and they will not be replenished, so stay focused. Oh, and…
  5. Forget buyer’s remorse. I asked, and two Target employees told me this designer collaboration follows the general rule for returns is — 90 days with tags and receipt.
  6. Also, know that the collection runs slightly large (Phillip Lim’s design aesthetic is more relaxed in fit). I bought a small in the leopard blazer.

HOW TO PLAN AHEAD:


  1. Strategize. Re-acquaint with the whole line and figure out your plan of attack (you probably won’t have time to shop around).
  2. Study. There’s about 100 items total — 29 of which are only available online. There are a few styles of Pashli-esque bags (in mustard, grey, navy and black). Mini bags are $34.99 and full sizes are $54.99. Sweaters and printed separates are in the $20-$50 range. There are no women’s shoes.
  3. Listen. Follow @TargetStyle on Twitter and set a saved search (or bookmark) the #PhillipLimforTarget hashtag. Check them often. Target has only vaguely said the collection will launch “in the early morning” on Sunday (tonight) and that online shoppers are limited to three of the same item.
  4. Tag team it. Seriously, call your girlfriends (“…it’s time we haaad the talk.”) Either post up with me on Twitter, set your alarms, tell your girls to text you as soon as it goes live or vice a versa. Have a pal focus on bags, you get that leopard print blazer, and so on. As far as we know, everything is returnable — remember that!

WHEN THE TIME COMES:
  1. Try not to panic.
  2. Have your credit card ready. Seriously. Consider this: I’m the girl that doesn’t realize she can’t find her keys until she’s on her way out the door, so she ends up being late to wherever she’s going. Don’t be that girl.
  3. Start with bags. Whether or not you’re shopping it solo, start with bags. The Pashli doppelgängers flew off the shelves at the launch party. They will be the first to sell out.
  4. Move on to prints and leather separates. These, I found, were the most unique and noteworthy Lim-looking pieces. Party-goers ransacked the leopard- and BOOM-printed sweaters and scarves; leather jackets weren’t far behind.
  5. Don’t plan to shop around. That’s why you planned ahead, right? You can go back for round two, girl — get in, get that Pashli and get out.

SHOPPING IN STORES?

  1. Call ahead. Make sure your local Target is getting the line (and how much of it) in-stores.
  2. Get there early. Obviously. Doors open at 8 a.m. at most locations, and while die-hards tend to start lining up around 3-5 a.m., I think you’d be good grabbing Starbucks and planting your ass in line at 6 or 7 a.m. Wear your running shoes (SRSLY) and don’t worry about wearing make-up; no one else will be either.
  3. Plan ahead. A rep from the Target party told me that all bags/clothing/accessories will be in one area of the store — not their respective departments. I believe it’s the women’s apparel department.
**
So, what are you shopping for? Any predictions? I’m guessing the online collection will launch around 2:45 a.m. on Sunday. Good luck and godspeed, girlfriends. Report back on Sunday (or tweet me) so we can celebrate your finds!
The Phillip Lim for Target collaboration launches Sunday, 9/15.

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52 comments

  2. This was super helpful! I never thought to call my local Target - I definitely plan on doing that! Thanks for a great post as usual. ; )

    Reply

  3. Now you have me all nervous. I was going to saunter up to my local Target a couple minutes before doors opened and just assume they have the collection in store. At least everything will be in one place. That’s a relief. I might have to throw some elbows to get at that small gold satchel. Kidding…

    Reply

  4. Haha - I agree with Rebekah! Now I’m all revved up and a little nervous for the launch!
    All I’m hoping to get is a p.j. set. That’s it. Hopefully I’ll be able to snag one!

    Reply

  5. This just got me so excited for Sunday!! Lol I’m definitely planning to line up outside Target around 6am. I’ve never waiting outside a store for anything, but I want the Boom sweater, leopard print jacket, and a mini Pashli bad!

    Reply

  7. I got home around 2am last year the day of the Prabal Gurung launch & went “oh, maybe I should get online….” about half the piece were up. From my experience, the whole thing will not be live at once, but the more I browsed around and debated items, the more kept showing up! Good thing I have all day to figure out what I want 🙂

    Reply

  10. This is where us West-Coasters have a bit of an advantage in that we don’t have to stay up quite as late (crossing fingers!). Another tip is to think about the demographics of the different Targets in your area. I have two within equal distance of my place, but one is in a more trendy ‘hood. That one tends to have more people who line up so I’ll hit up the other one. Strategy.

    Reply

  11. Great post! Thanks for sharing that the line runs large; I was kind of unsure what sizes to order since I’m far too lazy to actually go to the store, lol. Staying up till the wee hours of the morning? Whole different story.

    Another good tip is to sign up for a Target account and save your credit/debit card info. Crazy how that little window of entering info can equal an item selling out! Target also posted this list of stores that would have it available: http://www.scribd.com/doc/168079677/Phillip-Lim-for-Target-Stores-List

    Godspeed my friend.

    Reply

  12. Gah! This made me so excited and anxious at the same time. Thankfully I’m at my parents’ in Michigan and don’t have to deal with the craziness that is the Target on Elston. Hallie, I know you know what I’m talking about.

    Reply

  15. Praying the site doesn’t crash like it did for Missoni! I think they’ve learned, but this is a damn good collection. I’ll be on target.com via my cell at the bar tonight (hey, it worked out for me for the Prabal Gurung collection!)! Gotta get that mini “Pashli”!

    Reply

  16. This post makes me so thankful I live in a small city — there’s a home Packer game tomorrow. That is exactly where everyone’s minds will be — any traffic I face getting to my Target will be because it’s within a mile of the Lambeau Field! I will definitely be heeding your advice about the bags though — that’s what I’m most excited about!
    -Kodi
    grey et al

    Reply

      • I got the yellow small crossbody and the taupe medium satchel — wish the purple medium satchel had been in stores but overall happy! I was there at about 5:00 PM and it looked like one purse had left the racks — the clothing will likely make clearance section here! Such a different demographic.

        Reply

  18. Your tips are fantastic, but now I am so nervous! I was going to go early, like when they open, but now I am second guessing myself. I live in Mississippi, and they aren’t the most fashionable bunch, but I am panicking a bit now… Thanks for the tips!

    Nikki
    thefashionablewife.com

    Reply

  19. Came across your blog from twitter and Phillip Lim updates 🙂 I totally want that blazer now! And I loved your outfits through Fashion Week. You have a new follower now 🙂

    Reply

  20. didn’t realize that the grey pashli look-a-like you purchased from the collection was such a small mini bag. I love it even more now. heading out to a smaller/suburban target so hopefully there’s no line!

    Reply

  21. Now I’m the crazy wife who wakes up in the middle of the night and sits in her bathroom with an iPad shopping got Phillip Lim. Lol I have to get out of my studio! But at least my closet is happy.

    Reply

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  24. Thank you so much for being our spokesperson throughout the night! While I didn’t buy anything online, I did watch all of your tweets to see what was coming out! I ended up with the large satchel in taupe and I couldn’t be happier about it (there was no one to fight with though in the stores because apparently middle America does not care about any of this). Hope you got a few pretty pieces!

    Reply

    • Everything is returnable, so let’s hold on to hope and wait for the online returns to filter back in… I’d suggest calling Target to see if they can locate one in-stores and ship it to you, too! Keep me posted. Good luck!

      Reply

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  29. Hi Hallie,
    You have a new reader! I really liked how you conversed, shared, and connected with all of us Limsaniacs over the weekend. I’ve heard of your blog, but to be honest, I never really stopped to read it!

    I was very passive about the line, but after having you respond to my tweets late Saturday night, I woke up Sunday morning and headed to Target. I was the 19th/20th person in line, made it inside, and scored six-eight items.

    Thank you for connecting with your readers!

    Chandra

    Reply

  30. This was so helpful. I was able to score a Mini Pashli lookalike, courtesy of a good friend, but when I went in stores to check out the rest of the collection, I heard from the Target staff that it was like The Hunger Games in the stores. You were right, the bags were where the craze was!

    Reply

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