How to: Master the sales

As January draws to a close so, too, does the sale season. This is a great time to go as you will find that the majority of stock has now been cleared, leaving you a pared-back, less-daunting rail that has been edited to a few pieces at a further reduced price. So, if you haven't been able to brave the sales yet due to fear of confusion, cost and co-shoppers, now is the time to go. To save you from near-misses and a serious-faced bank manager calling you on Monday, here is my How-To guide for facing the infamous January Sales.

1. Get ahead for Spring

Winter is over. It may still be cold, but it is now time to look ahead and buy pieces that will take you through to the warmer (yet still wet) season. Don't spend your hard-earned buck on a feather-down coat you will be able to wear for all of four weeks, only to be put into storage and forgotten until next winter (when you will, of course, convince yourself all your coats are simply inadequate and you must buy a new one to see you through the cold, wet and windy weather).

Look for pieces you can enjoy up until the heat wave hits (I laugh at this cruel joke enjoyed by many who reside in the UK) and the light, white cotton comes out to play. My favourites for this is French label American Vintage and the entire collection from Splendid, both of which can be found in the sales right now at boutiques such as Liberty and Matches. Great pieces to look out for also are 2-Ply cashmere and silks which will regulate your body temperature up until you switch on the air-con.

2. On the clock

You're short of time, and your patience is running thin. Don't waste your efforts aimlessly searching for something when you're not even sure you know what 'it' is. Stores have set opening hours and, unless you enjoy being dragged out by security at 6pm, keep an eye on the time. Whether you allocate one hour, 30 minutes, 15... it's up to you. Just avoid that sinking feeling when you look at the time and realise you have wasted two hours at the jewellery counter, drawn there because it's sparkly and completely out of your budget.

3. Do your research

Before you head off to the shops, have a clear idea what you want to achieve, and where the best places for this may be. If you are looking for a reduced Sat Nav, you're wasting time looking in Reiss. Target the places you want to go first then, once you have picked up the bargain you intentionally set out for, that is when you can enjoy perusing the shelves of random stores.

The internet is a great resource for comparing prices, but don't ignore the most important factor of physically going out to the stores. You are able to try before you buy, meaning you can feel the weight and texture of fabrics, buy the right size and avoid any hassle in returns.

4. Be ruthless

It's not working for you, but you buy it anyway, just because it's a great price. How many times will you end up wishing you had walked away and put the money towards something else?

By all means, pick it up, look at it and try it on. But it's not a bargain unless you need it, and if you don't feel an instant connection, move on. Chances are, it will still be there after a coffee and time to think- particularly for those bigger purchases.

And last, but not least...

5. Get a good pair of shoes to see you through all that pavement-pounding
By 5PM you will have lost a few pennies, and gained a few blisters. Don't wear heels, do wear 'sensible' shoes that are easily taken on and off for all that fitting-room action you'll be seeing!


Photo Credits: Telegraph, American Vintage, Bizreport, AnimeMay

Summer sale hitlist

"Who ever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping"

- BO DEREK
Now that the Great British high street is starting to get in the summer spirit, the sales have well and truly taken off- just in time for you to start thinking about those jet setting plans.

Many stores have not only gone into sale but, shock horror, have begun their further reductions already! These days it really is a buyer's market. So go and do your bit for the economy, and spend some of your hard-earned money where it counts: your holiday wardrobe.

This morning Matches online announced further reductions on many of their sale items, now up to 50% off. I love their selection, as most of it is easily worn well into autumn, such as this trench coat by Hancock, or these adorable Del Toro evening slippers which are heading straight into my shopping bag.

I was disappointed with the selection at the local John Lewis, but I did manage to shop at the Chanel counter on their final day of 10% off, so managed to pick up some of their summer collection and the Soleil Tan de Chanel cream bronzer with money knocked off- every little helps, right?

Finally, it's always worth heading to Topshop, where you will find rail upon rail of quirky finds that work as a little pick-me-up on your lunch break. Like this totally irresistible leopard print fedora, or this neoprene backpack which will be your hero piece come autumn.

Photo credits: Matchesfashion.com; Topshop.com

Bargain hunters

I am often known for sniffing out the best bargains whenever I step into a store. It began many years ago when I would head straight to the 'sale rail', and take great pleasure going through the rack to find a special piece- I saw it as 'the hunt', very hunter-gatherer-esque. Things have now changed, and I hate sale rails with a passion and I avoid any store which looks like a jumble sale like it was the plague (take note, H&M). If I can't see what the store has to offer without having to rummage, I feel claustrophobic and march straight out of the door. As a result, certain stores get blacklisted, never to be revisited again.

This is reflected in my closet which is organised with a military precision so fierce that it would put MI6 to shame. For me, it's important that I know where everything is, what I would need it for, and what I would put together (or what I wouldn't!) so I have very little to think about in the mornings when I stand infront of the wardrobe scratching my head. But while my shopping likes and dislikes may have changed, one thing remains: I love a good bargain.

My biggest 'steal' is by far my white RM Roland Mouret "Castor" jacket, purchased at the 1st anniversary sale of TheOutnet.com and, with a price tag of just- I kid you not- £1, it was a total saving of £1,135!

I know that many people who tried to access the sale were unlucky and experienced a blocked site. The website simply couldn't keep up with the amount of traffic generated by the sale, leaving many customers disappointed. This makes this jacket even more special to me and a reminder of the result of perseverance and pure luck.

Further deals in my shopping repertoire include a Michael Kors "Hamilton" bag, worth £370, that I managed to find for £160, a pair of Paul by Paul Smith tan boots, reduced from £500 to just £100, and a Tibi "Mila" silk dress with a price tag of £250, bought at the very impressive cost of just £49.99. Who said student life has to be tough on your style?

I believe that most things in life are accessible, it's just a question of throwing yourself head- and heart- first into the (often infuriating) waiting game. I also think that when hunting for a bargain, look to the classic staples that will work hard for you, get better with age, and generate comments from others regardless of where you are, how long you've had it or your age. I can happily see myself wearing my Castor jacket in my 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond.

So, with that in mind, ready on your marks...get set...

Photo credit: TheOutnet.com