WearsMyMoney

A lot of the summer sales have started, so I thought that for this week we’d simply look at eight outfit ideas made up of items that are currently discounted. Because we all love a bargain, don’t we?

I’m sure more retailers will have joined the summer-sale party by the time you read this post, but I had to prepare it a few days in advance of publishing, so these are the best things I’ve found so far. Always remember my sales rules to stop yourself from getting swept away by the fact that something is cheaper than it once was. Those basic rules are:

1. Did you contemplate buying it at full price?
2. Can you find five ways to wear it?
3. Does it fill a hole in your wardrobe?
4. Do you love it?

Of course, rules are made to be broken, but it’s always good to keep this checklist in the back of your mind when browsing. Let’s crack on and see what I’ve found for you.

A MOSTLY MONOCHROME LOOK

If in doubt, stick to the three-colour rule. There’s a touch of blue in this monochrome look to add a bit more interest. Sticking to ‘safe’ colours in the sales is a good idea if you’re not a trend-led girl. We all know the lemon-yellow and cobalt-blue trend won’t last forever.

1. Boden Liz Knitted Stripe Tank
2. Estella Bartlett Twist Pendant Cord Necklace
3. Nobody’s Child Black Oval Halo Sunglasses
4. Mint Velvet Cotton Blend Technical Jacket
5. All Saints Relaxed Fit Pleated Shorts 
6. Arket Leather-Detail Mesh Tote Bag
7. Mint Velvet Black Slingback Leather Sandals

THE SUMMER CO-ORD

You know my feelings about these. I love a matching set, but I also love to wear them with other pieces. It’s always great to pack a co-ord when you’re going on holiday. I very nearly wore this outfit to Wimbledon earlier this week, but I’ve since worn the trousers with a linen shirt to go to Lidl.

1. Albaray Linen Stripe Square Neck Button Top
2. Anthropologie Chunky Rainbow Necklace
3. Oliver Bonas Tortoiseshell Sunglasses 
4. Jigsaw Linen Notch Lapel Blazer
5. Albaray Linen Stripe Culottes
6. Dragon Diffusion Nantucket Bag
7. Penelope Chilvers Biscay Leather Sandal 

THE LIGHTWEIGHT TROUSERS

If you are a more trend-led girl, then the sales are the perfect time to try out those seasonal colours at a discounted price. Personally, I love a pop of colour – just nothing too rainbow, as I fear I’ll look like Mr Tumble. These cobalt-blue summer trousers are on my wish list, as I think they’d look great with a simple white vest and a paler blue overshirt.

1. Anthropologie Paper Clip Pendant Necklace
2. Matalan White Ribbed High Neck Vest
3. Mango Squared frame sunglasses
4. Jigsaw Cotton Voile Relaxed Shirt
5. Hush Juno Seersucker Cotton Barrel Leg Trousers
6. Anine Bing Large Rio Tote Bag
7. Hush Leona Rope Sandals

THE SUMMER DRESS

Summer seems to have peaked somewhat early this year – two and a half heatwaves already, and counting – and I’m sure there are many more sunny days ahead of us. In which case, it’s always nice to have a strappy, loose and flowy dress that you can pull out to wear with your sandals on those true Phil Collins days: No Jacket Required. I tend to go for a classic black dress in the summer as it just looks better with a tan. Real or fake. Even more sales dresses are on this post.

1. Dissh Cara Poplin Midi Dress 
2. Monica Vinader Aria Cord Necklace
3. Dôen Shirred Floral-print Cotton-voile midi dress
4. Albaray Black Puffball Dress 
5. Steve Madden La Charmer Sandals
6. Schuh Linder Slide Sandals

PREPPY STYLE

When you’ve got breakfast at 9am, but want to head to the beach/park/lido by 2, you’ll need to wear your swimming costume as a top. Although I saw a lady at Wimbledon this week wearing a swimming costume and shorts and, frankly, that’s just not tennis.

1. & Other Stories Cotton-Twill Baseball Cap
2. Jigsaw Half Sleeve Sweatshirt
3. Arket Square-Neck Swimsuit
4. Jigsaw Linen Bermuda Shorts
5. Anthropologie Nola Woven Leather Bag
6. Ray Ban State Street Sunglasses 
7. Sandro Suede Boat Shoes 

A LOVE OF RED TROUSERS

You know I love my ‘f*cking red trousers’. I’ve found a couple of pairs for you that are in the sale. I like to wear mine with my Tevas (‘Yes, we know you do, because you never stop talking about those fugly sandals.’ Sorry, not sorry. Comfort is king), a black vest and maybe a bit of a red lip for the evening.

1. Jigsaw Square Neck Layering Tank 
2. Monica Vinader Tapered Huggie Earrings
3. Dissh Sandstone Positano Ramie Shirt 
4. Andersons Textured patent-leather belt
5. Arket Barrel Linen Trousers
6. Phase Eight Straw Shopper Bag 
7. MAC Retro Matte Lipstick
8. Teva Voya Infinity Flat Sandals

MIXING AND MATCHING

During the sales, it’s a good idea to have a little look in your wardrobe and see what you might be missing to make some of your other pieces work. Maybe some cute shorts, a stripe tee, or a light linen top are the key to making the most of what you already have.

1. Jigsaw Linen Pintuck Waist Top
2. Cos Cotton Stripe T Shirt 
3. Arket Split Suede Bag 
4. Hush Bree Mid-Rise Long Denim Shorts
5. Arket Drawstring Poplin Shorts
6. Boden High Cut Ballet Flats
7. Adidas Japan suede-trimmed leather sneakers

FOR THE LOVE OF DENIM

I always have a look at the designer denim section in the sales. If you wear jeans as much as I do, now is the time to get those higher-priced brands at a discount. My top favourite is always Citizens Of Humanity, but I also really like Mother, Frame and Agolde.

1. Arket Gingham Seersucker Top
2. Anthropologie Gingham Headscarf
3. Reiss Tan Leather Buckle Belt
4. Skims Fits Everybody Scoop Neck bra
5. Citizens of Humanity Miro Jeans 
6. Coach Tabby Shoulder Bag 20
7. ME + EM  Square Toe Ballet Flats

I’ll add more discounted items over the coming weeks once all our favourites come on board the summer-sales ship.

K x