Sign up for sales alert emails from your favourite brands, says Emily Cronin

How she shops: I’m a sucker for a “SALE NOW ON” subject line. No matter where I am when a promotional email arrives from a brand I love, I can’t seem to keep myself from clicking through – just to see what’s there, I tell myself, right until I tap my way to a virtual shopping bag filled with “unbelievable bargains”. I blame retailers for perfecting the form and making it irresistible, but deep in my heart I know I’m overly susceptible to sales. Top tip: Thankfully I’ve learned a thing or two, namely: pre-shop. Anything I try on and love but not enough to have to take home that very instant, I leave in the fitting room. On to the wish list it goes, with a calendar reminder to check back once it goes into the sale. In this manner I’ve “saved” hundreds of pounds (so I tell myself). Shopping this way also means I can get bigger-ticket items for less – winter coats and designer pieces, like this razzledazzle Christopher Kane skirt from Harvey Nichols, included. Metallic pleated skirt, £745 to £521.50, Christopher Kane (harveynichols.com, from Dec 22)