While I love browsing the web for bargains, I didn’t want to log on during Christmas and New Year – that’s time reserved for friends and family. And, I’m not one for joining the crowds in the shopping malls on Boxing Day. Fighting for a parking space and then elbowing people out of the way to get to that pair of shoes or dress is not my idea of a relaxing day of retail therapy. So I’ve left my bargain hunting until weeks after everyone else – and I’m glad I did. I’ve picked up some beautiful bargains with prices reduced even further. Here are just some of my favourite finds…
The vintage find
While pre-loved clothing and accessories are usually already much cheaper than their new counterparts – unless you’re opting for a one-off Channel couture piece – vintage fashion sites and stores still have sales where everything is marked down even further. A pair of strappy black heels, like this Gucci pair from Rokit, will never date. And they’re £109 rather than £195 at the moment. The metallic detailing also means they’re very on-trend for 2014.
The perfect spring cover-up
We may still be in the grasp of winter now. But before we know it spring will have sprung and our heavy winter woollens will be too warm for the weather. So, I’ve invested in a beautiful spring cover-up for when the mercury levels start to rise. I’ve absolutely fallen in love with the peplum trench coat from La Redoute. With its detailing, it looks far more expensive than it actually is. It’s a bargain at £31.50, with 30% off in the sale. I’m going to wear over a crisp white shirt and pencil skirt for work and with a light-weight roll-neck sweater, skinny jeans and a pair of ballet pumps for a weekend luxe look.
The on-trend fringed top
Fringing has been big news ever since the release of Baz Luhrmann’s Great Gatsby, with evening dresses given modern-day flapper styling. But this top by Moschino, which has 80% off, is a more relaxed take on the trend. It could be worn with leather jeggings and skyscraper heels for a night out or with chunky jewellery and shorts for summer. It’s still pricey at $330 from Net-a-Porter’s US site, but it’s so versatile I can justify the spend with my age-old cost-per-wear argument.
The flats for running around in
Before my two little ones came along, I’m not sure I even owned a pair of flat shoes – well perhaps a pair of trainers which had been stuffed into the bottom of the wardrobe for so long, they’d collected dust. But now that I have children, I live in flats because, otherwise, I simply couldn’t keep up with them. So, winter is all about flat biker boots, spring is for ballerinas, summer for sandals – and my heels are kept for rare date nights with my other half. I love this pair of ballet slippers in cobalt blue, one of the biggest colours for spring/summer 2014. They have a masculine feel with a tough edge provided by the spikes on the toes, and they will provide a gorgeous pop of colour against white skinnies. They’re now £81, down from £180.
The make-up essentials
When it comes to sales shopping, most people go out hunting for new additions to their wardrobes. But, some of the top make-up brands have sales too as they get ready for their new season. So, the start of the year is the perfect time to replenish your make-up bag. I’m a big fan of Illamasqua, because I find their products tend to stay put longer than some other brands. I’m buying their eye pencil in Fidelity, a warm, chocolately brown which is more subtle for spring than black, and nail varnish in Load, a creamy white shade which will pop against a summer tan.
Hi Pret A Mummy readers! I’m Katie and Heather has very kindly let me write this post for you. By waiting just a little while, I haven’t been part of the sales frenzy, I’ve been able to think a little more about what I want to buy to go with the other pieces in my wardrobe, and I’ve picked up some great bargains. Who says the early bird catches the worm…
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