How this fashion addict shops the sales…

(Me in black and gold Gianvito Rossi sandals (from Matchesfashion.com bought at 30% off))

NOTE TO SELF:  I have used this pic a lot, so I will create more photo opportunities!

In the olden days, let’s say 10 years ago, my head would be giddy at the prospect of the sales and I would employ what I would call the ”smash and grab” approach of shopping.

All I saw were discounted prices and I fooled myself into thinking I was saving in the long run. I would often spend more than I had originally planned - as I would buy a few things I had earmarked earlier in the season, but then I would buy random “bargains”. More often than not the impulse buys would sit in my wardrobe unloved and unworn.

Nowadays my shopping skills have been refined and I am altogether a more discerning shopper.

I rarely go into “actual” shops as I don’t have the time, and am not prepared to have an “elbows at dawn” type situation with someone over a lovely skirt. Instead I have a mental wish list and conduct thorough research online.

Here are a few things I do when I shop the sales:

1. Invest in timeless pieces. Sales are the perfect time to invest in clothes that outlive fads and “flash in the pan" trends. Whatever your budget you may fall in love with something but not be able to justify the cost at full price. That is the time to wait and pounce when the sales are on. There is a gamble here as if you are a popular size – it may sell out, but on the other hand you may end up with something beautiful at half the cost. Sales are the perfect time to look for an evening dress, a winter coat, a designer handbag or a lovely pair of shoes.

(Me in a Badgley Mischka red silk evening dress from Outnet.com reduced from around £600 to around £200)

2. Invest in replacements for your staples. Go through your go-to items. For me this could be black tops and silk shirts. But you have to be tough on yourself. If you have 5 black shirts you don’t wear, then do you really need another even if it reduced by 70%??? On the other hand if you have a couple of beautiful shirts that you have worn to death and are looking a little threadbare and will be hard to repair – go for the new one in the sales.

3. Do you really need it? Some people I know may be falling over at me asking this question, as fashion is not always a question of “need”. But sales shopping is about being savvy – I try not to get swayed by the price tag if I would never wear said item. For me – this equates to jeans; there is no point me ever buying jeans as I don’t wear them – so sale or no sale it’s waste of money!

4. Do you still love it? Many of us browse online or in shops and earmark things we might like to buy. But when the sales come round that particular lust may have waned. The speed at which brands drop new collections means there are new lines to choose from nearly every week. So think carefully – it would be a shame to spend your budget on something you no longer adored.

5. Does it work with your existing wardrobe? Finally when you get your purchase home or it arrives thanks to the wonder of online shopping – double check – does it compliment/go with a number of things in your wardrobe. Is it as lovely as you thought it was? If doesn’t tick all your boxes – send it back. There is no point having a bargain if it is going to sit in your wardrobe – that is false economy!!Every avid shopper knows there are lovely things for all of us – whatever our style, whatever our budget - every season. That is why the fashion industry is booming and is so good at what it does.

I have learned over the years to buy less but buy smarter. I guess I am saying have a strategy especially when you shop the sales…. And enjoy all those markdowns!

How do you shop the sales?

This may be one for the ladies, but I certainly don’t want to exclude all the very stylish men I know…The summer sales are coming. Many shops are already sending out preview sale invitations with up to 40% off marked prices. And though this used to fill me with great joy, I am under no illusions when I get these invitations; I am not special, I have just done A HELLUVA LOT of shopping in my time, so qualify for a lot of discounts!

I used to love a sale. I mean, who doesn’t love a bargain? The trouble with a bargain is that sometimes we get swept up with the markdowns and end up with more stuff we didn’t need in the first place.

These days, I try to be a little more discerning. The reality is, for me there is less desire to snap something up in an end of season sale - here’s why:

Firstly, because we seem to live with a “get it now” mentality, so if I really lust after something, I try it on and if it fits and I can afford it, I buy it. The justification for buying something full price is that my size may not be there at the end of the season, but to be honest we can all justify whatever we want….Secondly, if I have waited till the end of the season, I obviously didn’t want the, let’s say for instance, dress, that much, so maybe I’m just imagining I want it, because it’s in the sale?

And finally it is END OF season. Clothes that we “ooohed” and “ahhhed” over in January for Spring/Summer are somehow less appealing. And as the fashion industry turns its’ attention to pre fall/autumn collections, we are already being tantalized by new season lines, having not yet made full use of our summer wardrobe.

However, sales do have their place. Nowadays, my strategy is I only really buy special pieces in sales. Luxurious fabrics and beautifully cut dresses or jackets that are timeless.

Like a hawk, I will watch something that was horrendously expensive at the start of the season, which I adored but there was absolutely no justification in handing over my credit card for; I will watch as the price gets slashed.

Sometimes if you can bear the wait beautiful things can be discounted by as much as 80% and snapping them up then, feels so good, I think this may be a legal high...There is of course a gamble involved here so I will also say a little prayer to the shopping angels so that if and when the price becomes affordable, my size is still available.

I am not a fan of buying stuff that sits in your wardrobe unworn, so whatever I buy I wear and I think, some of us can go a little crazy in the sales as it is all cheaper. I must deter you from this - there’s no point buying stuff just because it’s cheaper, unless it’s gorgeous on you of course.

So how you will shop the sales? Do you go crazy or do you have a strategy?

Personally, I have my eye on a pair of Saint Laurent black leather shorts. I have lusted after them for months and my lust is undiluted. I cannot justify them, but I will watch and wait and with any luck, they will come down to a much less eye -watering price…fingers crossed…In the meantime, happy sales shopping let me know what you find…