The Rebirth Of Sample The Sale

By Sara Fabek Zovko

TikTok has brought back the great equaliser of high-end bargain hunting.

Though sample sales have been ever-present throughout the years they have recently made a striking comeback. In a world where TikTok influencers and fashionistas have become a major source of information sharing, netizens are provided with all the information they need on sample sales, and how they work at the click of a button. From wait times to sizing, TikTok has become the sample sale Bible for all those hoping to find unique branded pieces at an affordable price.

The entrance of TikTok onto the fashion scene has changed the game. Sample sales have once again attracted the attention of the general public. With high discounts, big brand names, and perhaps even the thrill of the hunt for that one item in just the right size, it's no wonder the amount of sample sales have doubled in the last year. All of these elements combined create the thrill of a sample sale, and with the additional reward of being able to film a haul for social media, there’s practically no downside for fashion enthusiasts, both new and old.

Sample sales were never inaccessible per se; they just never had the social media exposure that they have now. TikTok fashion lovers have significantly changed this, creating not only a newfound enthusiasm for sales but also a whole new realm of fashion content that can be shared on the platform. Attending a sample sale is a ritual in its own right: from planning targets to queueing for hours and finally getting in, it has become an immersive experience that has transcended beyond social media.

The comeback of sample sales may not have been expected, but it’s also not a massive surprise. As the global economy continues to destabilise, discounts are no longer embarrassing or taboo, and combining affordability with access to some of the world’s biggest brands makes sample sales the great equaliser. This coupled with the thrill and unpredictability that a sample sale creates, makes the experience for a fashion enthusiast an even more enjoyable one.