H&M x Balmain: The Complete Shopping Guide

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After months of sneak peeks, teasers, press previews, and more, H&M's Balmain collaboration is almost here. The collection will arrive in 250 international stores and on hm.com this Thursday, November 5th; judging by the fervor we've witnessed so far, shopping will be ultra-competitive. Follow the steps below for your best chance at scoring what you want from the collab.

Make a hit list

Review the lookbook and figure out which items you need to have. The collection is surprisingly expensive (most of the dresses are north of $200, for example) which means two things: One, you're going to need to be picky about what you scoop up (unless, of course, money is no object); and two, the lower-priced items (like the $35 Balmain France tees) will go fast. The gallery below has all 110 items — womenswear, menswear, jewelry, sunglasses, shoes, bags, everything — plus pricing to aid in your list making.

Grid View

Expand

• $549
• $649
• $499
• $199
• $549
• $499
• $129
• $69.99
• $99
• $129
• $99
• $99
• $399
• $399
• $129
• $129
• $59.99
• $59.99
• $34.99
• $34.99
• $99
• $99
• $129
• $129
• $199
• $99
• $129
• $129
• $69.99
• $149
• $149
• $299
• $129
• $199
• $99
• $149
• $129
• $149
• $199
• $399
• $129
• $249
• $24.99
• $24.99
• $34.99
• $34.99
• $34.99
• $299
• $199
• $149
• $199
• $129
• $99
• $59.99
• $199
• $249
• Price TBD
• $349
• $59.99
• $79.99
• $99
• $49.99
• $17.99
• $17.99
• $17.99
• $34.99
• $34.99
• $49.99
• $49.99
• $79.99
• $99
• $99
• $349
• $99
• $129
• $34.99
• $34.99
• $34.99
• $34.99
• $34.99
• $39.99
• $29.99
• $69.99
• $99
• $59
• $49.99
• $99
• $99
• $129
• $649
• $349
• $349
• $549
• $149
• $49.99
• $199
• $59.99
• $199
• $299
• $299
• $249
• $129
• $149
• $299
• $299
• $34.99
• $59.99
• $17.99
• $49.99
• H&M x Balmain fragrance, $39.99, out December 3rd. [Photo via Allure]

(For an even closer look, check out the super-detailed shots from our showroom visit.)

Figure out where and when you're going to shop

Online

The collection will go live at 8am EST on hm.com/us/balmain, so do your timezone math and set a calendar alert.

For the best chance at actually getting what you put in your cart, be sure to set up an account on hm.com in advance, and save your shipping and billing details (this step is huge).

In store

Check H&M's Store Locator page to find the location closest to you that will stock the collection. Doors will open at 8am local time, but you may want to get there early. Like they did with the Wang collab, H&M will hand out bracelets to the first 420 people in line, designating the order they can enter the store. There will be 14 colors of bracelets for groups of 30 customers at a time. When your group is let in, you'll have 15 minutes to shop (again, a good idea to make a hit list in advance!). After those 14 groups get their 15 minutes, the Balmain x H&M area will be opened to all customers (should be around 11:30am).

Know the return policy

Verbatim, from H&M:

Online

On items from the collection, purchased at hm.com, we offer a return or exchange, in the original form of payment, on returns that are postmarked within 3 days of package receipt. Accessories are not returnable for hygiene reasons. All merchandise must be returned in original selling condition.

In store

On items from the collection, purchased in our stores, we offer a return or exchange until November 8th, with receipt, in the original form of payment. After November 8th, with or without receipt, refunds will be issued as a store credit at the current selling price, in the form of a merchandise credit card. Note that accessories are not returnable for hygiene reasons. All merchandise must be returned in original selling condition. Valid photo ID required for returns without receipt.

We'll have day-of coverage here November 5th; for the local store scene, check our New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Miami sites.