My favourite time of year: sale time!
Yes, I’m shallow and vacuous – but I don’t care! Sale time is the best of the seasonal shopping period, if you can get your head around the crowds and the fact that clothes are, for once, sorted by item, rather than by style – no longer can you rely on your local fashion store to sort your choices in terms of mode and mood, instead forcing you to do the hard work.
This year’s sales are bound to be good, with many retailers always having reduced prices due to the horrendous economic climate. So when you hear cries of “50 per cent off almost everything” (hello, Urban Outfitters), you can bet that this means seriously good deals. Besides all of that, there are bound to be more items in stock, as people just have not been shopping as much. So where do you go, and when, and why?
When? December 24th (Christmas Eve) from 10am, with 50 per cent off almost everything.
Why? For Anglomania by Vivienne Westwood, Full Circle and various smaller labels – with kooky knitwear and vintage-inspired pieces, Urban Outfitters is very often the answer to the question “where did she get that?” I go to this sale every Christmas Eve and I am never disappointed. They have great, unique bags, really cute and quirky jewellery, and often amazing separates, not to mention their vintage-style band T-shirts and really great homewares (although now that’s on the top floor and, let’s be honest, a bit of a trek).
When? St Stephen’s Day, from 10am.
Why? For cut-price designer gear. Now, let’s not beat around the bush: most of the items in Brown Thomas are still going to be out of my price range, but I’ll still go – for discounted Wolfords, heft reductions in their famed shoe rooms, and the chance that I might get my hands on a beautiful pair of Stella McCartney shoes at a discount. If you’re not in . . .
When? St Stephen’s Day, from 10am.
Why? Because French Connection is the expensive side of high street, which means that it often has huge swathes of stock left standing when sale day rolls around. I go for printed dresses, denims and sweet cotton separates, as well as the occasional pair of amazing shoes.
So what are your favourite stores for seasonal sales? I wouldn’t confine mine to those three, but that might be where I’d start – quickly moving on to Warehouse (one of my perennial favourites), Zara and Topshop – although for Topshop I would advise an early start, as the crowds (not to mention the heat!) can quickly get overwhelming.
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1Fiona
wrote on 22 December 2009 at 14:04
I was in French Connection on Saturday and they already have a lot of stuff reduced. There are definitely some good bargains however I’m sure prices will go lower. BTW, the new French Connection store in Heathrow is good value as you get the benefit of sterling plus it’s VAT free. Almost makes up for the monumental trek to the Irish departure gates!
2missmilki
wrote on 23 December 2009 at 17:38
Brown Thomas & BT2 sales are always good, because items are more expensive the reductions end up being bigger. I’m not one for rushing into the sales early on & I’ve still found some really good deals there in the past. Also if you are really into sales keep checking in over January as they’ll reduce things more & more as time goes on. Oh and I’d head straight for the shoes!
I think it’ll be all online sales for me this year. Oasis has already started with up to 50% off – some lovely underwear is on its way to me! They usually end up having good sales.
Topshop sales are always disappointing I think. But I will be checking out the online one just in case there are bargains to be had.
And Urban Outfitters definitely, I’ve found some great bargains in past sales & they actually have a sale section all year round which is quiet decent, not like TS token effort!