What To Buy In The Sales

Unless you have your heart set on something very particular, I think the best time to shop the sales is in the second and third weeks. The die-hard shoppers have gone home happy, the stores are much less crowded and the prices being to drop even further. The experience feels less frenzied, laid-back even, and because the area dedicated to discounted stock is smaller, the’stores?look?a lot?less like massive jumble sales, which many women find off-putting. Plus, it’s far more satisfying when you find something special in the latter days of the sales. And rest assured, there are always gems to be had towards the end.

I’m a big advocate of online shopping. The only thing I would say is that when shopping from the high street online, be sure to check the fabric composition of your chosen garment so you know exactly what you’re buying. Products are beautifully styled online and can often look more substantial or better quality that they, in fact, are. Otherwise, there’s nothing like bagging a bargain from the comfort of your own home.

Here are four pieces I’ve picked out from the AW16 sales.

I love a masculine cut, and the boyishness of this coat is?balanced beautifully by its’soft’shade of powder blue.?This is an ideal trans-seasonal piece. Buy it now and pull it out of your?wardrobe in March when you still need to stay warm, but you’re keen to?brighten up your layers a bit.

Statement sleeves are big news for SS17, so this gorgeous frilled shirt is a fantastic?buy. It will look great now layered over thin knits and remain totally on trend come springtime.

Boudoir dressing sounds like an alienating trend, but this gorgeous kimono-style coat is an easy way to embrace the look. Ditch the pyjama suit beneath and layer over mix-and-match separates for an outfit that’s really unique to you. This piece would also look beautiful layered over a simple slip dress for evening.

I always try to bag some good quality knitwear in the sale. I love this two-tone cable-knit sweater from Stella McCartney. I’d wear it?year-in-year-out.