I had to do a double check of my calendar when the emails started landing in my inbox last night and this morning.
There staring back at me was email after email telling me that the END-of-season sales were starting.
(I subscribe to my favourite stores site’s to be first with the bargain news … I suggest you do too 😉 )
Wowzers. Winter only officially STARTS on Friday and here in Queensland it only got cold below 10 degrees last weekend.
That dear Stylers puts many of us in a very good budgeting position. Especially if you are yet to start a planned winter wardrobe update. And especially since retailers are not mucking around with some markdowns as much as 50%.
I’m restraining myself from indulging because winter will be very short with me for this year (thank-you trip to New York in August) but if I were I’d be going about it strategically.
Don’t laugh. Sales shopping IS a competitive sport.
You need to have your game plan sorted before you even set foot into a crowded store.
The Styling You Sales Shopping Strategy (SYSSS):
1. Shop early. Aim to be at the shopping centre or precinct before opening. People are still sleeping and you can get not only the run on the best stock but also an empty change room.
2. Wear clothes and shoes that are easy to get on and off. I find wearing a tunic, leggings, stretch cami and tunic top with ballet flats works pretty well in winter. Oh, and if you haven’t got time to try on, then walk away. It’s not worth it!
3. Have a wishlist written down and in your handbag. Only deviate from it should you find something you absolutely LOVE. See below for the winter 2012 on-trend items that you might want to hunt down.
4. Don’t just buy something because it’s on sale and you’re “saving” money. If the item doesn’t fit and flatter and make you feel fabulous, you’re not saving a thing.
5. Retreat when fatigue sets in. For some people – the sprinters – this may be after one hour; for others – the marathon runners – this might be when the doors of shops are being pulled closed.
Winter 2012 trends to embrace
Most people will tell you to stick to buying classic pieces during sales times. And they’d be right … to a point.
With the end-of-season winter sales happening so early, I’d also be on the hunt for key items that will give your winter wardrobe a 2012 update. Think blazers, coloured jeans, knits and ankle boots.
I’d also look for pieces that are more trans-seasonal and can be layered to cross over both winter and spring seasons. This is where neon comes on. It’s popping up everywhere already and will be even bigger come September.
Below are just trend suggestions of styles to look for – they’re not necessarily on sale as yet – but maybe helpful pointers for what to add to your wishlist.
1. Saba jacket $249 (was $369) | 2. Sussan jean $79.95 | 3. Seed sweater $129.95 | 4. Witchery ankle boot $229.95 | 5. Molten Store bracelet $29
Comments 24
May I add another tip? Wear good underwear. Nothing makes a bargain look terrible like poorly supportive underwear. DD and I went shopping today to check out what is around before the big department store sales so that she could plan her wardrobe and work out what would go together well. By the day the big sales start she will be ready to go for the pieces she wants. Hopefully they will be reduced. She tried a condom dress today. Took some convincing to try it. Ended up buying a black maxi, charcoal and lurex mid length. They look great.
Martina – that is an excellent tip! And if you’re looking to buy say, evening wear, make sure you pop a strapless bra into your handbag too. Great work on the purchases, DD.
Haha I made my mum buy those exact jeans from Sussan and they look AMAZING on her!! Totally worth it, even at full price (which is a pretty good bargain anyway) xx
The Wittner 70% off season stock starts today ladies!! (I don’t work for Wittner I just love shoes!)
xx
Spot on as usual Nikki. I’ve done a tiny spot of shopping while in Brisbane – all great layering pieces that will see me through Adelaide’s cold Winter days and cool Spring nights. My 2 favourite pieces that I bought have to be a chartreuse swing tank from Sportsgirl and the same colour longline button up cardi with collar (total bargain) from SES Fashion. At least I know the colour will still be hot in Spring!! xx
Oh, I LOVE the sound of the swing tank and cardi. Love!
Blazers – tick. Coloured jeans – tick. Knits – tick. Ankle boots – tick. I guess the only thing I have an excuse to shop for is neon… flashing back to my childhood as I type!!
I think I’ll be happy with a pair of flats or maybe the new Corset heels that Betts have been teasing me with – if I could safely walk in heels that high!! Maybe a belt or clutch bag would be safer.
You’re doing so well with your list, Melanie – very impressed!
Winter doesn’t technically start until the 21st thanks to the solstace. Same with every other season.
I noticed my local stores are on sale. I got two great tshirt/tops from Kmart for $5 and $8 that they had put out the front. But I gotta say, I hate winter clothes. The stores always assume we want black, navy, grey and brick red for winter. I don’t. Clothes in general bore me. I have a figure that’s hard to dress and my size never seems to fit in anywhere. Stores have 10-12, 16-18. I’m somewhere between 12-16 and so I can never find anything to fit big boobs, wide hips and a short waist. It’s hard. Especially when you cut out certains styles and fabrics I’m left with next to nothing. And a lot of it is out of my price range.
I’m also north of Adelaide so there aren’t too many varients of stores that sell larger clothes up here. They’re either too small or too big and not in the colour or shape I’m after, so I’m left with what I have and so I tend to just buy accessories instead. I also don’t do heels, so I’m hard up finding great looking colourful shoes with good soles on the cheap.
Hi Nikki, have just recently found your blog & am loving all your great advice. I am going to order the “condom dress”, they are restocked online & a pair of their coloured drill pants. I am a size 12/14 , is this brand a small or bigger fit? Thanks for all your great tips.
Glad you’re here Natalie – with the condom dress go the M; not sure on drill pants – one to definitely check with your measurements.
one so needs to get in early, missed out on what I wanted from the metalicus sale today 🙁
Oh that’s sad Trace – not available online?
Love That seed knit,I am sorted for my bottom half but could do with a few knits to add to my wardrobe,not too many but a few,I have heaps of stripes from last year and I love the hi low,and the longer drapey jumpers ,though I must admit they are not much different than last years ,are you finding that ?,a few I got on sale and didn’t wear at the end of last season are now very on trend for this year.(not that I care if it suits me and I love it).
Yes My inbox is full of sales notifications too which is great.
When I go shopping it’s always early because you beat the crowds and the fitting rooms are empty,I used to buy just cause they were a bargain ,not anymore though<I only buy what suits me and I enjoy wearing! I am all about comfort and style and looking chic .
Thanks for you Tips:}Nikki…..
Winter isn’t that different from season to season in Australia – possibly because the season is so short. Makes it easy to do a wardrobe update!
I picked up my Mum’s mail yesterday as she’s away and I noted she had a notice for a “Goodbye Winter Sale” from Sportscraft…in May-what the?
Anyway, thanks for the reminder Nikki…I actually tried on a couple of things at Veronica Maine this morning (on my way to work) and bought absolutely nothing as I recalled why I had not bought them at full price: I may like these items, but I don’t love them!
You’ve got to LOVE them or they’re not bargains!
Thanks Nikki…I’m chasing boots. Knee-high, ankle, black, brown…the search is doing my head in! I’m liking those Witchery ones. x
The search for the perfect boot is a long one but worth the effort – hope you find them!
I loveee that Molten Store Bracelet!
I love point four on the SYSSS – very easy to get sucked in to the excitement of a bargain even when something doesn’t fit or flatter. X
It SO is – something I’ve trained myself to avoid over the last few years! And there’s more neon over at the Molten Store!
I too can hardly believe its sale time again! Thanks for the fail safe tips Nikki x
It is crazy Donna!