Seven ways to future-proof your sales shopping

Last season’s trends can still have wardrobe longevity, with a bit of careful planning, says Krissy Turner

Whether you’re indulging in a spot of self-gifting or finishing off your Christmas shopping, the news that the Christmas sales are in full swing will be music to your ears. It’s all too easy to be seduced by those giant red 50 per cent off stickers, so planning ahead is key to shopping without buyer’s remorse.

Years spent working as a shop assistant throughout university and my current role as The Telegraph’s shopping editor mean I’m pretty adept, if I say so myself, at sorting the wheat from the chaff. Here are my top tips for ensuring you love your sales buys forever:

Make a list…

You’d write a list before hitting Sainsbury’s for your festive food shop, so why wouldn’t you write one for the Selfridges sale? A list provides focus and will curb impulse spending. Assess your existing wardrobe beforehand to identify what you already have too many of (for me, that’s grey crew-neck knits and blue jeans), what you wear the most, and what’s missing.

… and a wish list

If you’ve set your heart on something specific, add it to your virtual wish list online. That way you’ll receive an email notification as soon as it’s reduced, and everything you want will be conveniently saved in one place for faster shopping. Make sure you sign up to the mailing lists of your favourite brands, too, to find out about their sales first.

Be specific

Typically, stores arrange sale products into categories like trousers or knitwear, rather than in the traditional format of trends and outfits. It means that on entering, you can easily make a beeline for the items on your list without feeling overwhelmed. Online, the “filtering” tool does this for you. Use it to your advantage by selecting as many keywords as you need to identify exactly what you’re looking for. As well as size and colour, many sites allow you to sort by occasion, from work and party to casual and evening wear. Equally, searching for something specific like “floral wrap midi dress” ensures you’re only seeing the print, style and length you want.

Prioritise quality (not trends)

Aiming to edge out of your fashion comfort zone can serve you well on a normal shopping day – but not when sales shopping. Instead, pinpoint your signature “uniform”, the tried-andtested pieces that you know you’ll get lots of wear out of, rather than trendy pieces that risk hanging unworn in your wardrobe. If you’re a printedblouse-and-pleated-skirt devotee, work with that. Plump for higher quality versions of your staples in fabrics such as silk, heavy crêpe or wool, that wouldn’t normally be in your budget. If you’re someone who swears by a black cross-body bag and is constantly buying them on the high street, think about spending a bit more on a version made to last, rather than purchasing another cheap one even more cheaply.

Be sensible about sizing

Since you’re buying pieces you know you’ll wear time and again, anything you purchase in the sales should be in your current size. The only exception is an item you’re planning to have professionally tailored, though be realistic about this, too – too-long trousers are easily taken up, but completely remaking a dress to fit could cost a small fortune.

Changing rooms

Women with greater patience than I head to actual stores to shop the sales. If you’re one of them, be sure to check the reject rails in the changing room: some of the best items are likely to be there, as others will have scouted

them out first. Personally, though, I prefer an online haul. I’ll try everything on in the comfort of my bedroom with more flattering lighting and the right underwear within reach – and without the restless, growing queue behind the curtain. It means I don’t feel rushed to decide if I want to keep something, and can check it works with the outfit I imagined. I’ll also stand and sit in trousers and jeans to ensure they’re comfortable, and will often try a dress with both a heel and a trainer to test its versatility.

Choose your moment

Shopping on the first day of your favourite brand’s sale means you’ll have the pick of the bunch and the widest sizing selection. Equally, shopping on the last day of the sale has its benefits: the smaller offering eases your search, and there will likely be further reductions by then.