Are the summer sales worth the bother, now that they seem to take place all year round? Do you want to spend a hot day rummaging through rail upon rail of floral print dresses, boxy linen jackets and mismatched shoes?
And doesn’t the mere fact something is in the sale mean it wasn’t that much of a must-have in the first place?
Here is our unmissable, money-saving guide on how to shop the sales for classic clothes that will see you through to next year . . .
The worst thing you can do is to go armed with a wallet full of credit cards, and no clear idea of what you want. Don’t leave home without first taking a long, hard look at what is in your wardrobe. What do you wear all the time that needs updating? Do you have a special occasion looming?
Then, look at the autumn trends, and cherrypick what looks suit you and your life. A big mistake would be to buy something that screams Summer 2010, i.e. a green floral jump suit, a floaty floral maxi with sequins at the bust, impossibly high, clumpy platforms. These will inevitably look boring come September.
Try everything on, even if the changing rooms are packed. And why not use the sales as an opportunity to upgrade, i.e. to shop somewhere you normally deem too expensive?
Finally, draw up a budget of what you want to spend, and take with you that amount in cash, leaving all your plastic cards at home.
What to avoid:
Don’t buy anything that has buttons missing, a droopy hem, a scuff or a mark: you will never fix it or love it
Bright colours, florals, and anything too floaty
Platforms, strappy bondage shoes, chunky heels and over-the-knee boots
Harem pants, bodycon vest dresses, anything sheer or lace, and boyfriend jackets
Super-skinny trousers: next year is all about the Kate Hepburn wide trouser
All those sequins and crystals will look tired by the autumn, as will the ubiquitous spotty, skinny long scarf
Anything too girly: no polka-dots or rosebuds
What will see you into next year:
The most useful item you can snap up in the sales, and that will still look fresh into next year, is a curvy jacket with a bit of a pointy shoulder. A jacket should never be bought dirt cheap; an expensive one can be slung over a dress or jeans, and will lift an entire outfit.
Great for autumn, too, is anything in white: a cotton shirt dress bought now will look fabulous in the autumn under a camel coat cinched with a brown, narrow belt.
Boots will be still be big this autumn.
our cheat sheet on autumn trends:
Bold colours, such ad deep reds and dark greens. Block colours worn head to toe is also on the rise
50’s shapes are coming into style, so look out for full skirts, hour glass shapes and feminine bustiers
Tailored trousers, long flowing skirts and pleats will replace the super-skinny jeans and harem pants
Big knits that can be belted and worn as a jacket, and sweater dresses
Flat-soled boots and kitten heels – easy on the feet, these also look great with the long-hemlines coming into fashion.
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