Generally I’m not a huge fan of ‘The Sales’, I mean, don’t get me wrong, I bloody love a bargain, who doesn’t? I pride myself in the fact that I rarely pay full price for anything. I’m always scouting out for a 20% deal or a money off weekend. But during the big bi-annual sales, the shops look a mess, and most of it is all the crap you never wanted in the first place. Zara is particularly guilty of this, I sure they trawl through the stock room from years past to drag out the dregs they could never get rid of!
I have found some amazing bargains though, usually from the designer end of the market, I once bought a Vivienne Westwood Red Label dress in Liberty for £90, reduced from £895! (I have only worn it once though, so even at that price it doesn’t really come under good value in the cost-per-wear stakes) On the flip side, some of my worst buys have been in a rush of ‘Oh my god, I can’t believe this slightly too small, too short, fully see-through Christopher Kane top is now 90% off, I must buy now and never ever wear it’ BUT there are diamonds to be found if you follow a few simple rules:
1. Only buy it in the sales if you contemplated buying at full price. Of course you didn’t actually buy it at full price, but you thought about it. That’s a good rule of thumb for avoiding mistakes.
2. I like to target the designer end of the market. Getting a bargain that you previously couldn’t justify the spends on is very satisfying. I have never paid full price for any of my faves, Stella McCartney, Isabel Marant and Bella Freud. Always kept an eye on them to go in the sale!
2. Online is your friend, especially with the high street shops. See terrible jumble sale that Zara becomes. You can browse in the comfort of your own home without fear of a potential punch up with someone over that last remaining satin embroidered bomber jacket in size 12 at 50% off.
3. Online you can search by size/designer/style/price/length of sleeve/will it make me look like a twat. Thus eliminating a load of stuff that you love but is not quite in your size, and avoiding that, ‘But, if I just lose a few pounds, I can squeeze into it one day’ scenario that goes though your head.
4. If you must go to the shops, stick to the nice ones, Liberty, Selfridges, Harrods, Harvey Nichols. Avoid the high street, especially at the weekend.
5. Go on a Friday morning if you can, as soon as the shops open so you miss the hoards. Makes for a much more relaxing sales shopping experience. I don’t know why Friday mornings are so quiet, but in London, it’s often the best time.
6. Never go with your friends, your children or your partner. Get in, and get out. Get home, have a nice sit down and an iced bun.
All that said, here are a few things that I love that are currently on sale…
Happy Shopping! Let me know if you grab some bargains!
K x
