Fashion Fix

How to avoid mistakes in Summer Sales

I have noticed lots of bargains in the summer sales but I always end up buying clothes I never wear. Have you any tips for me on what to look out for in the sales? Thank you, Maura.

Hi Maura,

There is a great choice in the sales just now so take your time to check out the shops and have a good rummage through the rails. Avoid trend based pieces as they probably won’t be in fashion for long, Opt for classic styles and go for colours such as grey, cream and teal as you will wear these colours into Autumn/Winter rather than the pale pastels or vibrant shades.

Take a look at the footwear sales as there are lots of nice pumps and again you will wear these into winter and beyond. You might pick up a nice pair of sandals at half price, which you can wear next summer.

Jeans are also worth looking at as again you will wear these what ever the season and there are lots of reductions on jeans in all of the shops. Knitwear is another good choice on the summer sales.

And as big bold jewellery is going to be big for winter look out for long chains and pendants and chunky bangles as you will be paying full price for these items come September/October and they are half price now. Thing like scarves and bags are another good buy on the sales - again go for neutral shades when buying bags.

Happy shopping and if anyone wants to tell me about a great bargain they picked up in the summer sales do let me know.

KCLR piece

I am just back from doing a piece with Sue Nunn on our local radio Station - KCLR. We talked about dressing for an Irish summer (endless rain showers!), what to look out for in the sales and a bit about the sort of personal shopping work that I do with my clients.

It's always nice to do radio pieces and great to be asked :-)

Martina

Shopping in the Summer Sales

Now that all the summer sales are on I am dying to pick up a few bargains but I am unsure what to look for. I want something I can wear into the winter as I am on a tight budget. Any tips for me? Many thanks, Mary.

Hi Mary,

We all love a rummage through the sale rails but do be aware that you will come across a lot of tat as well as genuine bargains so take the time to have a good look.

Don’t buy an item unless you are sure you are going to wear it as it’s not a bargain if it is left hanging in the wardrobe. For the same reason avoid the high fashion item as you probably won’t wear it next summer.

So what to do? Go for classic styles that won’t date. Look out for jeans on the sales as we wear them all the time and in accessories look out for big chunky bangles, large chains and pendants as jewellery is big and bold for Autumn/Winter. Now is a good time to pick them up half price and will give you an edge on the trend for later on.

Pick up some nice sandals as there are lots of bargains around, go for a good pair as they will probably be half price and you can always wear them next summer. The same goes for leather pumps and you will wear them in Autumn/winter also. Have a look at kaftan style dresses which you will have in your summer wardrobe for many summers to come as they can be worn over your swimsuit or jeans. Very easy to wear and a real classic.

Finally look out for a nice classic trench coat as they never date and are just the thing for summer and Autumn - great for a showery day! Happy shopping.

Sale Shopping

Dear Martina,

I always enjoy the sales every year but a lot of the time the items of clothing I have in my wardrobe that don’t go with anything always seem to be the sale purchases. Any ideas how to avoid wasting money when buying at sales? Thanks Sandra.

Dear Sandra,

We are all guilty of binge buying during sales and I always envy the people who know exactly what they want to buy in the sales - and have the patience to hang on till they get the particular item maybe at half price!

However I know how difficult it is to resist a bargain and so here is some advice on shopping at the sales.

Don’t buy trendy pieces in the sales as they probably won’t be in fashion next season.

Go for classic pieces that you can get more wear from. It is a good idea to get to know the stock in your favourite shops and ask when they plan to have their sale. Pick out the items you like and get there as early as you can on the first sale day when you will hopefully be able to buy the items you spotted earlier.

Sometimes it’s wise to avoid a bargain unless you are sure it goes with something in your existing wardrobe because its not what it costs that counts but how often it’s worn.

Its easy to get drawn in when at the sales and you end up buying a pair of shoes that are half a size too small or a top that’s too tight “at that price you can’t leave them there”…. stop right there! Enjoy the sales. 

Christmas Sales

Dear Martina,

I always seem to miss the start of the sales in the Kilkenny shops, and when I get there all the good stuff has gone. Have you any idea when the sales are due to start in Kilkenny? Thanks Patricia.

Hi Patricia,

Well as far as I am aware majority of the shops on the High Street are due to start their sales on the 27th of December. But I would advise you to check this out yourself as some of the shops will start sooner. Pre-Christmas sales are popular now, so keep an eye on your favourite shop and inquire when their sale date is and get there early!