Ah, Black Friday—love it or hate it, it’s the biggest retail holiday of the year, and it’s not going anywhere. In fact, this year, it’s creeping into Thanksgiving proper, with a few local shopping outlets opening on Thursday. Here’s the skinny on what’s going to be happening in the major shopping malls and neighborhoods in the area. If you’re planning on sticking to the District, take note—many stores and small boutiques have opted to not hold special sales this year, citing out-of-town customers and the mass exodus to suburban malls. Here’s a list of the specials deals you will find happening around town. Be sure to check back—many stores don’t decide their sales until a few days before, so we’ll update accordingly.
Stores open as early as 6 AM in the Old Town Boutique District, and the township has arranged for free parking at metered spots and garages. Most participating stores will offer 30 percent off from 6 to 8 AM, 20 percent off from 8 to 10, and 10 percent off the rest of the day. Prepsters, take note: the new Old Town Lilly Pulitzer shop is offering a whopping 50 percent off from 6 to 8, 40 percent of from 8 to 10, and 30 percent off the rest of the day. See our earlier post for a list of our favorite shops in the area. Also exciting: Pretty People Vintage owner Annie Lee will open Zoubeck, a new boutique focusing on “French chic” styles, on Black Friday and offer 20 percent off merch all day.
If you really can’t wait, the stores at Tysons Corner will open at midnight on Thursday. A few early morning deals worth investigating: 20 percent off designer clothes from midnight to 11 AM at Cusp, an extra 40 percent off sale accessories at Laila Rowe, some buy one, get one free deals at Sunglass Hut, and 50 percent off sale items at just-opened C. Wonder from midnight to 8 AM*. More sane shopping hours see $25 off denim from 10 to 10 at Lucky Brand and 30 percent off the entire Accessorize store.
There’s no big mall-wide event or early opening, but individual sales worth noting include 30 percent off all merchandise at 7 for all Mankind and Karen Millen, 25 percent off purchases over $200 at Henri Bendel, and up to 50 percent off items at the Tory Burch boutique.
Target stores open the earliest—9 PM on Thanksgiving. We won’t judge you if you’re picking up emergency toothpaste or toilet paper, but to everyone else we say: Calm down and spend some time with your family.
This Virginia outlet mall also opens at midnight on Thursday and stays open until 10 PM on Friday. You’ll find steep discounts at pretty much every store, but here are two we’re especially interested in: Last Call Neiman Marcus is offering 40 percent off from midnight to noon, and Saks Off Fifth has discounts between 30 and 50 percent during the same hours. For those unfamiliar with Potomac Mills, the outlet mall also houses a J.Crew factory store, a Nordstrom Rack, Michael Kors, BCBG, and Coach outlets, and a Forever 21.
NOVA’s other favorite place for outlet shopping also reopens Thanksgiving night. Some stores (Ann Taylor, BCBG, Coach, J.Crew, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Off Fifth) open as early as 9 PM, others (Barney’s, Joe’s Jeans, Theory, Old Navy) open at 10, and the rest will be ready for shoppers at midnight. Some highlights include 40 percent off your entire purchase at the Brooks Brothers Factory store, buy one get one half off at Converse, half off the entire DKNY store, 40 percent off all of Old Navy, up to 50 percent off select merch at Cole Haan (plus an extra 20 percent off your entire purchase from midnight to 8 AM), 40 to 75 percent off women’s clothing and accessories at Diesel, 40 to 50 percent off men’s and women’s clothing at J.Crew, 30 to 50 percent off all merch at Off Fifth, buy three get 50 percent off at BCBG, and 30 percent off your entire purchase at Tumi from midnight until 8 AM.
*Sassanova: From 9 to 10 AM, the deal is 30 percent off storewide. From 10 to 11 it’s 25 percent off, and then it drops to 20 for the rest of the day.
*Luna: 30 percent off select sweaters and denim Friday through Sunday.
Current Boutique: 20 percent off all day at all locations (other outposts are located in Old Town, Clarendon, and Logan Circle).
Pink Palm: The fall collection will be 30 to 50 percent off. The gift with purchase (while supplies last) is a ring; if you spend $250 or more, it’s a holiday stocking.
Le Creuset: Cast iron items in Postal Blue are 30 percent off; pieces in Dijon Mustard are 25 percent off. Another special: Buy three pieces of cookware and receive 20 percent off your entire purchase.
Ginger: Enjoy 40 percent off from 10 to 11, 30 percent off from 11 to noon, and 20 percent off the rest of the day.
*Sassanova: From 9 to 10 AM, the deal is 30 percent off storewide. From 10 to 11 it’s 25 percent off, and then it drops to 20 for the rest of the day.
*Kate Spade: not planning until Wed night.
*Tari: Buy one, get one 50 percent off all winter accessories and boots.
*Ella-Rue: 25 percent off jewelry.
Wink: Spend $250, receive a $25 gift card toward your next purchase.
Cusp: Select items are 40 percent off.
Duo: Get 30 percent off from 10 to 11, 25 percent from 11 to noon, and 20 percent the rest of the day. Sale merchandise is an extra 20 percent off, and jewelry will also be discounted.
Sherman Pickey: The staggered day-of discounts include 35 percent off between 9 and 10 (the store is opening early), 30 percent off between 10 and noon, 25 percent off between noon and 3, and 20 percent off between 3 and 6. There will be an additional 40 percent off sale merchandise (most of which is already half off) all day.
J. McLaughlin: $25 off coupons with purchase.
Rugby: 30 perfect off the entire store as well as an additional 50 percent off fall markdowns.
Charm: 20 percent off everything in the store, except what’s already on sale.
Hu’s Wear: 30 to 50 percent off fall/winter apparel.
Urban Chic: The first five customers receive 35 percent off their purchase, plus a chic gift. For the rest of us, there’s a 30 percent discount between 9 and 10 AM and a 25 percent discount between 10 and 11. Sale merchandise is an additional 25 percent off all day.
City Sports: 25 percent off all Adidas, Nike gear, and CS by City Sports gear. Skiers, snowboards, and winter runners, take note: There’s also 30 percent off Avalanche Fleece and ColdPruf base layers.
*Covet: No deals on Friday, but score 20 percent off any one item on Shop Small Saturday.
*Denim Bar: 20 percent off entire purchase.
*Free People (Clarendon): Take an extra 25 percent off sale items from 8 AM (the store is opening early) to noon.
*Le Village Marché (Shirlington): 10 percent off holiday cards and candles.
*Periwinkle (all locations): 40 percent off all clothing and 25 percent off all accessories.
*South Moon Under (Clarendon): All inventory will be on sale, though the sales staff won’t divulge any more specifics.
The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City
*Stores including Express, Macy’s, Foot Locker, Forever 21, Gap, Nine West, and Victoria’s Secret will open at midnight. The rest of the mall opens at 5 AM. Deals worth noting include 40 percent off sale styles at Armani Exchange, denim and sweaters for $10 at Forever 21, up to 40 percent off select styles at Tumi luggage, and 25 percent off your entire purchase at White House Black Market.
*Undeniable Boutique: 20 percent off a large selection of fall sale merchandise and $50 off one item from the store’s Johnny Was collection. Clearance items range from $25 to $35 and are buy two, get one free.
*Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa: 30 percent off retail products.
*added November 20, 2012.
Sarah is the Editor-in-Chief of Washingtonian Bride & Groom, and writes about weddings, fashion, and shopping. Her work has also appeared in Refinery29, Bethesda Magazine, and Washington City Paper, among others. She is a Georgetown University graduate, lives in Columbia Heights, and you can find her on Instagram at @washbridegroom and @sarahzlot.
