Make sure it fits

fashion,advice Ten golden sales rules

By Collette Lyons

 

Bag yourself the best bargains with our indispensable guide. 

If you have to lie on the changing room floor and enlist the help of a coat hanger to do up those jeans, if the shop assistant has to be Prince Charming to your Ugly Sister with the last pair of size 5 skate boots or your brand new New Year\'s resolution is to drop half a stone to fit that too-small body-con dress, then before you reach the till stop and repeat after me: if it doesn\'t fit, it\'s not a bargain.

Do your research

fashion,advice Ten golden sales rules

We\'d obviously all rather hit the mulled wine and mince pies than the high street pre-Christmas, but a little insider knowledge goes a long way. Compile a list of things you fell in love with over the season and the size you want, then sharpen your elbows and make a beeline for them. If they don\'t have your size, it\'s always worth asking - or raiding the changing room rejects rail.

Spring clean your wardrobe - four months early!

fashion,advice Ten golden sales rules

The sales are a great time to buy quality basics that will make your wardrobe work harder. Plough through your shelves rather than your Cadbury\'s selection box on Boxing Day and it will be easy to work out what you actually need when you get into shopping mode, whether that\'s the perfect black pencil skirt, a white shirt or a bundle of cashmere cardigans. And there\'s the added bonus of extra wardrobe space!

Grab, grab, grab (and don\'t let go)

fashion,advice Ten golden sales rules

If in doubt, don\'t put it down. Trawling round the shop floor with armfuls of might-haves is a pain, but there\'s nothing worse than mourning the dress that got away. So, even if you\'re not quite sure, hang onto items at least until you get to the changing rooms or somewhere you can take a proper look. If you don\'t, you\'ll spend the next hour stalking the poor person who nabbed your potential purchase from under your nose.

Keep an eye on your wallet

fashion,advice Ten golden sales rules

Literally and metaphorically. Thieves love sales shoppers as they\'re so keen to launch themselves at the last patent handbag on the shelf, they forget to keep an eye on whose got their hand in their own. When you do decide to hand over your Christmas money, make sure you\'re not overspending. Keep a budget in mind and try to stick to it, and don\'t be seduced by slashed prices; so what it it\'s 80% off? It\'s a lime green and purple velour tracksuit!

Predict the future

fashion,advice Ten golden sales rules You don\'t have to stick to safe basics to make the most of the sales - after all, there are only so many sensible black coats a girl needs. But, if you want make fashion-forward buys that will see you well into the next season, then check out the key trends for Spring/Summer ‘08. You don\'t even need to have found a crystal ball in the bottom of your stocking - for the savvy fashionista\'s cheat sheet, take a look at our Runway Roundup

What to wear

fashion,advice Ten golden sales rules Flat shoes are a non-negotiable - you want your energies focused on the bargains, not your poor, purple toes. Wear a huge coat and you risk heatstroke in the scrum, so instead layer, layer, layer. Wear a T-shirt so you can avoid the changing rooms and slip on tops in front of any mirror you can find, and if you\'re planning on buying anything that you intend to wear with heels, slip a pair of your own in your bag.

Work alone

fashion,advice Ten golden sales rules

Sales are for lone shoppers. If the stores are packed, it\'s hard to keep track of where your friends are - it\'s a much better idea to split up and designate a time to meet for a nice cup of tea and a sit down. If you prefer to stalk your Stella McCartney in packs, at least make sure your hunting partner isn\'t the same size - remember falling out with your best friend, aged 13, because you fancied the same boy? It\'ll be like that, only over shoes and therefore probably much, much uglier.

Make a date

fashion,advice Ten golden sales rules

This might seem like an obvious one, but find out when the sales start, and note it down. Turning up for the Harrods sale with your flask and sleeping bag is a great idea of you want to be first to the Fendi, less so when you realise you\'ve set up camp two days too early and people start throwing their loose change in your beret. Stores stagger their post-Christmas sales, some starting as late as January, so check out websites for details.

Don\'t forget the web

fashion,advice Ten golden sales rules

Online sales are the easiest way to cherry-pick your purchases without risking rail rage. The range of sizes is often better than in store, you can compare purchases, keep track of what you\'ve spent easily and you don\'t have to queue. In fact, the only thing you can\'t do it try tings on, but if you\'ve already been on a crafty in-store scout then that shouldn\'t be a problem. Just make sure you check out the returns policy.

 

 

Check out more of handbag\'s Fashion Top 10s