Don’t fail in the Sales!xox

Hello exoxer’s!!!! I’m back:) 5 kilos heavier due to the vast number of cheese boards I have scoffed and champaign binges me and the hubby have participated in! It was great fun! I do hope you all had the most amazing Christmas and that Santa was good to you.

Now back to business! The SALES!!!! We are all aware that both the high-end stores and the hight street have felt the pinch from the recession this year. Fewer customers coming through the doors is never great for the industry as a whole. On a positive note this does mean this year’s Sales offer a great number of bargains.

The key is knowing what to invest in. Remember that if something is in the sale it is usually there for a reason eg. design faults, too trend driven therefore not cost-effective, too high-priced in the first place etc. Just because you see a dress that is reduced from £800 to £270 it doesn’t mean it is right for you!

Items that you should invest in will always be those that you will use everyday eg. Handbag, work shoes, winter coat, boots. All of these may still cost a bit of money but they are staple pieces within any fashionista’s wardrobe and they should see you good for at least five years if you invest wisely.

Here are my top tips and favourite picks of what is out in the Sales just now:

Handbag Top Tips: Choose a classic design, with ample space to hold a wallet, make-up bag and all the other bits and bobs we manage to collect. Opt for a colour that will blend in to your wardrobe and can take you from day to evening. You can’t go wrong with black, chocolate, grey or tan. Always buy the biggest size of bag you can afford. You will find the larger you go the more you actually get for your money!

Top Picks:I would strongly recommend that you go to The Mulberry Sale. Mulberry ticks all the boxes and there are some serious, I mean SERIOUS bargains to be had! Classic Designs, luxurious fabrics and up to 40% off – now that’s a bargain! Don’t be put off if the bag you want is unavailable on the website as there may still be some in your local store so make sure you call or pop down to check.
Mulberry Top Picks:

Coat Top Tips: If you were ever going to splash out on an expensive coat the time to do so is most definitely now! There are some mouth-watering designer coats out there with up to 70% off! Classic styles such as the oversized blazer, egg/cocoon shape or the ever so popular military/duffel coat (which comes back each winter in some shape or form) are the ones to look out for! Fabrics to covet are tweed, organic wool, leather and fur trims. All wear well in cold climates and fur adds that extra bit of glam. Faux-fur or real it’s up to you!
It is good to add a splash of colour to a coat. May that be in the lining, the buttons or a full-on block of colour. A coat should be a fun item and should show your personality. You should, however, stay away from patterns and pastel shades as these date very easily and can end up looking cheap.
Top Picks:

Available from Harvey Nichols online, this oversized blazer works well for the transition from day to evening wear. The coat is warm ,unlike many other blazers, as the tweed fabric is chunky and thick. The grey is also perfect as it can be worn with any other shade or colour.

Ahhhh…….Belstaff. If I cold only wear one jacket for the rest of my days THIS would be the one! Belstaff produces items that really do last 20, 30 even 40 years! You pay for the quality, the fit and the damn right coolness of the brand! Ok it is not suitable for dressing up a cocktail dress but for everyday wear this bad boy is definitely the one to go for. I have a similar jacket that I invested in three years ago and I wear it every second day. It still looks as good as the day I bought it and is great for cold winter days! You can pick this one up online from Cruise Clothing.

Stella designs beautiful coats using only the finest in organic fabrics. The best thing about this coat is that the colour will not only look good in winter but will look lovely in the Springtime over tailored suits and delicate shirt dresses. This is also a great-coat for quirky girls with the retro 60′s vibe of the cut and pocket detailing being an interesting talking point.

Shoe/Boots Top Tips: It’s all about the quality of the craftsmanship and material when choosing shoes from the sale. Invest in thick leather, stud detailing and dark colours. There generally seems to be a lot of shoes in the sale which have been carried over from Spring/Summer. Avoid these! They are there for a reason! Go for knee-high boots, sturdy brogues and chunky heels. These are the pieces you will wear next winter and the winter after that!
Top Picks:

Ahh… This is true craftsmanship. Elegant, formal, sophisticated. This pair of boots will look great at the office. Available from Net-a porter.

You might remember that I featured these Mulberry boots on my Christmas Wishlist. I have these in blue lamb skin (I paid full price!!) and you can buy this pair online and in store. They will look great in the summer time with smock dresses and shorts and are an absolute steal at nearly half price!!

I love these brogue style platforms. They look great with black skinny jeans, fur jackets or dresses/skirts. A great shoe for day or night and very in-trend with the tassel dealing. Available online at Shopbop.