Savvy Sales Shopping Tips
For some people, they enjoy nothing more than to root through a sales rack looking for a bargain. For others, it’s their worst nightmare and just the thought of it can bring them out in a cold sweat. But sales shopping doesn’t have to be scary. If you plan ahead, not only can it be enjoyable, but you can actually make some of your best and most long-lasting purchases.
For anyone looking for a bit of advice on where to get started and how to get the most out of your sales shopping, here are my top tips. It’s time to shop smarter, not harder.
Top tips for savvy sales shopping
If you want to find the real bargains and come home with clothes that you need, as well as which are suited to your personal style, there’s a bit of work you should do beforehand so you know exactly what you need and what items to keep an eye out for.
1 Set your budget
Whether that’s an overall budget or a budget for individual pieces, it’s always best to set one. You’ll probably be looking at 20 to 30% discounts at the beginning, but they could go up to 50 to 70% towards the end of the sales. Obviously, if you hang-on you can run the risk of the pieces you want being sold out, but that’s when you have to weigh up how much you want something versus hanging on for the biggest discount. If there is something you really want and it has sold out, don’t forget to keep looking in-store and online as there are always returns.
2 Review your wardrobe
There’s no point in buying things that you already have or don’t need. Before you head to the shops, take stock of what’s in your wardrobe first and see where the gaps are. If a leather jacket is what’s going to pull all your outfits together, then this should be top of your list. Not sure where to get started? Take a look at my top tips for recharging your wardrobe.
3 Do your homework
During the run up to the sales, keep a note of the pieces you like in-store and online and make a “wish-list”. This will help you to stay focused on the things that you want and stop you bulk buying unnecessary items.
4 Identify key pieces you want in your wardrobe
These are the items you wear all the time, your wardrobe staples. For me that’s ankle boots, blazers, and leather pieces so these are always on my “sales radar”. If you know you always buy black suits and white shirts every year for work, then the sales are a perfect time to buy them.
5 Learn more about your aspirational brands
We’ve all got those brands that we’d love to covet, but that may not be within our reach financially. The sales are a perfect time to grab a slice of them. Again, do your homework beforehand and make a note of which pieces you’d like and work out how they are going to fit with the rest of your wardrobe. If you’re going to invest in your dream designer brand, you need to make sure you get maximum wear out of it. I’ve already mentioned setting a budget, but it’s even more important when looking at your aspirational brands. Just because it’s a brand you’ve always lusted after, doesn’t mean you should break the bank to get it.
6 Research the key trends for the next season
Have a think about which trends you want to invest in for next season. Take a look at what colours, cuts and designs are taking a front seat over the next few months and decide if these are things you want to buy into, or if you’d prefer to stick to some of the more classic and timeless pieces.
Once you’ve completed this checklist, it’s time to head out to the store (or online!) This is when the fun really starts. But there’s still a bit of work to do. When you have your hands on some items you love, there are a few more questions you should be asking yourself:
1 Would you pay full price for it?
This is the golden rule of savvy sale shopping. We all get caught up in ‘bagging a bargain", but it’s only a bargain if you were prepared to pay full price for it in the first place. If you apply this rule before anything else, then it will stop you from buying just for the sake of it.
2 Do you have things that will go with it?
Have a think about the other items already in your wardrobe; do you have something existing to go with your new purchase? Or will you need to buy something else? Either answer is fine, as long as you have a solution, and your savvy sales purchase doesn’t end up shoved at the back of your wardrobe.
3 Is it worth the money?
Just because it’s in the sale, it doesn’t necessarily mean the price is right for you. Consider where you could get more value elsewhere, or if it’s an item that you really need.
Working with a Personal Stylist
While many people revel in the thought of going shopping and finding new styles, for others it can be an overwhelming and stressful experience. As a Personal Stylist, I’m here to help lift the pressures and help you find the perfect looks for any occasion.
If you’re looking for advice on the best styles to suit you and your personality, I’d love to help. Please get in touch to arrange a free 30-minute phone consultation. Alternatively, find out more about my Personal Shopping services.