Your Complete Guide to Shopping Balmain x H&M
Photo: Balmain x H&M
Any fashion girl knows that the key to shopping designer collaborations like a pro is preparation—and if the hype preceding tomorrow’s launch of Balmain x H&M is any indication, you’re going to need military-style precision to snag the stuff you want. Casually deciding that you might swing by for a beaded jacket from the collection isn’t going to fly.
In the interest of being properly prepped for tomorrow’s hotly anticipated launch, read these six crucial things every shopper needs to know.
Shopping starts 8:00 a.m.
No need to stay up until the clock ticks over to midnight to shop this collaboration online; the line will drop at the online store at exactly 8:00 a.m. EST tomorrow, November 5. If you’re brave enough to head into stores, doors will open at 8:00 a.m. local time. Wear flat shoes—and be prepared for crowds, folks.
There are limits to how much you can buy.
Thinking of buying one for you, one of your sister, and one for your bestie? Think again. Online purchases will be limited to no more than one item per product. That means one size in shoes and clothes, and one piece for each of the accessories. Yes, this applies to every single item in the collection.
You’ll have only 15 minutes to shop in store.
The first 420 people in line at the H&M store (yes, you should arrive early), will be given a colored bracelet that will determine which group they are in. There will be 14 colors, each designating a group of 30 customers and the time they’ll be able to start shopping in the designer-collection area. Once your group is called, you’ll have just 15 minutes to grab whatever you want—so be sure to brief yourself on the collection and make a list in advance. You’ll want to zero in immediately on the styles on that list.
Prepare for a long queue.
The line to shop a new H&M designer collaboration is always infamously long, so don’t expect this year to be any different. When you arrive, there will be staff outside to show you where to wait and what to do, and they will help out with any questions while you’re waiting.
You can return or exchange.
The frenzied environment of the Balmain x H&M store area is pretty much the perfect place to make a bad purchase decision—but don’t worry, they’ll accept your returns. Until November 8, H&M will accept returns or exchanges on your item if you bring along the receipt. After that date, you won’t be eligible for a refund, but can still grab a store credit for the value of the piece’s current selling price. The only thing you can’t take back will be accessories, for hygiene reasons.
Pieces bought online can be returned, too, if postmarked within three days of package receipt.
Only select stores will carry the collaboration.
Check out which store in your area will be carrying the collection on the H&M website, or keep scrolling for a full list.
