Article by Fabafterfifty
It is so easy to get carried away by the prospect of a bargain, but how many of us soon regret those ‘bargains’ which lurk in the back of our wardrobes?
Sale shopping can be a great time for picking up quality investment pieces which can form the backbone of your wardrobe, but before you part with your cash, ask yourself the following:
7 questions to ask before you buy clothes in the sales
1. Will I really wear it?
2. How often will I wear it (cost per wearing is a great indicator of true value)
3. Does it fit properly? (or how much will it cost to get altered)
4. What else will it go with in my wardrobe?
5. Would I have considered buying it at full price?
6. Is it good quality?
7. Is there a reason why this item is in the sale and it hasn’t yet been bought?
Plan your shopping trip
Personally, I like to go sale shopping with a plan- a list of items to buy and a list of shops to buy from. I check my own wardrobe to see what items need replacing/updating and I look for the most expensive items on my list first (and therefore those which are likely to deliver the biggest savings).
If there is something I’ve bought at full price which has become a favourite, I use the ‘sale’ as an opportunity to see if thety have the same outfit in a second colour at a discounted price. If it’s a pair of jeans which fit well I buy a second pair as I always find it hard to find that perfect fit when it comes to jeans.
So what’s on my list for this year? Actually not a lot! Just a pair of jeans and a white shirt, but if I was in serious shopping mode my bargain hunting list would be along these lines:
Boots
Cashmere sweaters
White shirts
Black trousers
Jeans
Coat
Little Black Dress
Bras
If you have a ‘special occasion’ coming up, the sales are often a good time to search out that outfit to wear to a wedding or event- often you can buy something quite special at the equivalent of high street prices- don’t be afraid to take a look in shops you would normally think of as being out of your price range.
If you plan your shopping wisely, it needn’t cost a fortune to look and feel fabulous after 50! Remember, a bargain is not a bargain if it never gets worn!
Photo credit: Idea Go
Ade
All so undeniably sensible. But, but, if I were constrained to say, fewer than 10 words, I’d go with point 5 – ‘Would I have considered buying it at full price?’.
If the answer to the question would not have been in the affirmative, then don’t.
Ceri Wheeldon
Ade, I have to admit to not enjoying shopping at sale time (hate the crowds and the busy changing rooms)- I only go if there is something specific AND as you so rightly said, I would have been prepared to pay full price for !