Spring wouldn't be complete without a colorful Target Style collaboration on the horizon. This season, Target is partnering with beloved Finnish heritage brand Marimekko. If you love bright patterns and bold prints, then get ready for a colorful spring. (Love Marimekko? Shop their cheerful bedding collections and see the cute Marimekko sneaker collab with Converse.)
August 6, 2018 update - Shop Marimekko for Target:
March 20, 2018 update - Shop Marimekko for Target:
Shop Marimekko:
March 13, 2018 update - Shop the collection:
February 18, 2018 update - Shop Marimekko for Target:
December 18, 2017 update - Shop Marimekko for Target:
Shop Marimekko-inspired prints for kids and home:
According to Target's site, the upcoming collection will feature "200 playful, print-centric pieces that span outdoor décor, furniture and entertaining essentials, as well as beach and swimwear for women and girls. Standout items include the paddle board ($499.99), inflatables, hammocks and swimsuits. The collection also features a number of firsts for Marimekko, including the bocce ball sets and parachutes. And best of all? Most pieces can be yours for under $50."
Mark those calendars and start saving for the big day on April 17. Here's a preview of the Marimekko for Target lookbook, as seen on Good Morning America.
April 17, 2016 update - The collection is live online, with only a few items (the bike, canvas hat in Kukkatori primary) sold out as of 6:43 am PST. Read my Marimekko for Target review with fitting room photos and tips on fit, sizing, and quality.
March 22, 2016 update - See more from the Marimekko for Target lookbook and get cute outfit ideas.
April 12, 2016 update - Below I've pictured the home and outdoor items that are online only.
More favorites:
August 6, 2018 update - Shop Marimekko for Target:
March 20, 2018 update - Shop Marimekko for Target:
Shop Marimekko:
March 13, 2018 update - Shop the collection:
February 18, 2018 update - Shop Marimekko for Target:
December 18, 2017 update - Shop Marimekko for Target:
Shop Marimekko-inspired prints for kids and home:
According to Target's site, the upcoming collection will feature "200 playful, print-centric pieces that span outdoor décor, furniture and entertaining essentials, as well as beach and swimwear for women and girls. Standout items include the paddle board ($499.99), inflatables, hammocks and swimsuits. The collection also features a number of firsts for Marimekko, including the bocce ball sets and parachutes. And best of all? Most pieces can be yours for under $50."
Mark those calendars and start saving for the big day on April 17. Here's a preview of the Marimekko for Target lookbook, as seen on Good Morning America.
April 17, 2016 update - The collection is live online, with only a few items (the bike, canvas hat in Kukkatori primary) sold out as of 6:43 am PST. Read my Marimekko for Target review with fitting room photos and tips on fit, sizing, and quality.
March 22, 2016 update - See more from the Marimekko for Target lookbook and get cute outfit ideas.
April 12, 2016 update - Below I've pictured the home and outdoor items that are online only.
More favorites:
Below, a few of my must-haves.
Shop Marimekko:
To help you dominate the #MarimekkoforTarget launch and help you score your favorites, I'm sharing my online and in store shopping tips for Marimekko for Target.
The In-Store Strategy
1. Know where to go. Once the collection launches online, and assuming Target's site is functioning properly, you can use Target's "find item in store" function to search for specific items in stock in your area. It's not perfect, but it can help you plan your shopping. Be ready to go early (if you can) and stand in line on Sunday morning. Use the store locator at the bottom of this page to find the stores near you that'll stock Marimekko for Target.
2. Phone it in. Be extra prepared by calling your local stores the week before the launch to confirm if they'll carry the collection. Get your local store's phone number here.
3. Be an early bird. You know what they say about the early bird. My local Target stores open at 8 AM on Sunday, and I've found in the past that if I arrive by 7:30 AM, then I'm able to get what I want, since there aren't crowds in my area. I'm lucky! For people who live in large cities, I recommend going 1-2 hours before the store opens if you're really motivated to be the first to shop. For shoppers in more suburban or rural areas, the competition and crowds are reduced, but the selection of goods may be as well. In my experience, stock varies widely from store to store. Sometimes metropolitan area stores and stores in higher income neighborhoods carry a better selection of merchandise. It takes some trial and error to find the best stores in your area.
4. Bring a buddy. A family member, friend, or significant other might be able to help you get the pieces you want and help you make purchasing decisions. Divide and conquer should be your strategy! Or have a friend tackle one store while you visit another. The Jason Wu for Target cat tote would not be mine if not for a dedicated boyfriend. The same goes for the Lilly for Target mugs and dessert plates, and I feel really fortunate! I may or may not have bribed him to shop with me in exchange for Sunday brunch.
5. Check for go-backs and barter. If your favorite pieces disappear from the racks in a flash, be courteous, be patient, and don't be afraid to chat with other shoppers and politely trade to get what you want! The fitting rooms are a great place to start.
6. Persistence pays off. Target does not restock these collections, but you can still score your favorites even sold-out items. If you don't find what you want after the launch, check back for returns frequently in the coming days and weeks, as many shoppers take items back to the store. How about that buyer's remorse? Don't forget to check the customer service desk and clearance racks for returns as well. Call your local stores to ask what they have. The best part about returns? Online exclusive items are heavily discounted when returned to stores, leaving the door open for other persistent shoppers to get really lucky. After four or so weeks, the collection may be discounted to 30% (and eventually to 50% or 70%) off, so frequent visits to Target after the launch could really pay off. In mid August 2015, I found some returned Lilly for Target shorts in my size for 50% off. Score!
Important things to note: there are 26 online-only items and the return policy for this collaboration is 14 days. Target.com purchases are limited to five of the same item.
Size ranges: Women's apparel is size 2-16, with plus sizes (online only) in 1X-3X. Girls' apparel is 4-16, and infant/toddler sizes are 9M to 5T. If you're petite, then don't rule out buying from the Girls' department. That's how I got some of the Lilly Pulitzer dresses I wanted.
All Target stores will stock the collection, and stock will vary by store. I recommend shopping at more than one store if possible.
The Online Strategy
1. Learn the lookbook. Study the lookbook like there's going to be a test! It's going to be released on March 22. See the entire lookbook here. Select your favorites, get outfit inspiration, see what's online only, and check the prices.
2. Play favorites. I like to set a ballpark budget so I don't go overboard. Make a list or if you're more visual, make a collage of your favorites to help you stick to your budget.
3. Know when and how to shop. Since Target's collections debut on Saturday night or early Sunday morning, be prepared to stay up late or get up early (depending on your time zone) in order to shop online. Bookmark this Marimekko for Target landing page in your browser, grab some coffee, and join me on Twitter.
Unlike H&M, Target does not announce a specific time for the online shopping launch. Contrary to popular belief, these collections do not launch at midnight. Previous collections have varied widely.
Follow me on Twitter and join me on Saturday April 16 at 9 PM PST for the pre-launch. Turn on Twitter mobile notifications by following these instructions via Twitter so you don't miss out on any updates. If you're excited to be the first to shop online, it's the only place you'll want to be for the up-to-the-minute info, and it'll give you an advantage.
While shopping online, be extra prepared by using more than one web browser, mobile device, etc. Sometimes items become available first on the mobile site, and sometimes they don't. Refresh your browser often and have patience. Items tend to pop up and then disappear during the initial launch. Expect some glitches but don't give up. Remember, persistence and patience are key, and you may have to sacrifice some sleep if you're really motivated to snag your favorites. Let's all hope that Target's site won't have a Missoni or Lilly flashback with all those technical issues. Beef up those servers, Target!
4. Save your info and get a RedCard. As the time to shop online approaches, log onto Target.com and have your shipping and payment details saved ahead of time. Have this Marimekko page bookmarked. Also make sure your cart is empty of old/unpurchased items to ensure a speedy and smooth checkout. This reduces the chances of having your cart emptied before you can click the "complete order" button. If you don't have one already, then consider getting a RedCard. Why? Target RedCard users enjoy free shipping, an extra 30 days to return certain merchandise, and a 5% discount on purchases. I always carry mine wherever I go, and it comes in quite handy for grocery runs and impulse buys in the apparel department. Can you tell that I'm a total #TargetAddict?!
5. Click quickly. Shop the online only items first and submit your order right after placing an item in your cart. Do not shop and fill up your cart. Why? Once an item is in your cart, it's not reserved for you. In order to avoid an item being removed from your cart because it's sold out, you need to click quickly and complete your order! If you are a RedCard holder, you don't need to worry about multiple shipping charges if you have multiple orders because shipping on Target.com is free. For non-RedCard holders, shipping over $25 is free.
**International shoppers please visit Target's international site for more info on shipping outside of the United States with Borderfree.
6. A little birdie said to stay social. Sign up for Target's email updates right here. Want to be the first to shop the collection online? Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or Snapchat (@thekeytochic) for more info and inspiration. Don't miss out on the online launch. Please join me on Saturday April 16 at 9 PM Pacific time (and early Sunday morning) on Twitter to get tips, ask questions, share your excitement, discuss your favorites, and most importantly, get help to be the first to shop the #MarimekkoforTarget collection.
This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if purchases are made by clicking links.
See my Marimekko for Target review.
April 17, 2016 update - Shop Marimekko for Target:
Shop Marimekko-inspired prints for Women:
Get Marimekko inspiration:
