There is something rather exciting about seeing items on sale… we have found a beautiful piece at a fraction of the price it was before.

But do sales really save us money in the long term?

The History Behind a Sale

Sales have been part of retail for a long time and have become part of the annual store routine. As department stores grew during the 19th century, shops needed ways to attract customers and clear older stock as new collections arrived. Reducing prices helped retailers make space for the next season’s items and gave customers the opportunity to buy items for less.

A sale can be a wonderful opportunity to find something we genuinely need, love or have been looking for at a price point we feel more comfortable with. However, buying something simply because it is a ‘bargain’ without considering other factors may actually be costing us more in the long run. So, what else do we need to consider before choosing something to add to our wardrobes?

Do We Really Need More?

How often do some of us look into our wardrobes and think, “I have nothing to wear”?

We can have plenty of clothes and still find ourselves wearing the same few pieces again and again. Then the sales begin and we start looking for new items to add to our collection, hoping to create outfits that remove that ‘nothing to wear’ feeling.

Let’s imagine buying a beautiful summer top because it is half price. We might wear it once, or perhaps the weather changes before we have much opportunity to wear it. We may get it out ready to wear the following year, only to find that we don't feel great in it or don't know what to style it with. I know this because I have done it myself.

I once bought a smooth blue jacket for £35, reduced from £80 - a bargain! Yet it sat in my wardrobe with the tag still on because every time I reached for it, I felt a little flat and didn’t think it suited me as well as I had hoped.

Later, after having my style analysis, I understood much more about the styles that suited me. With that knowledge, I later bought a jacket from Hobbs for £70, reduced from £140.
Although I spent more, I have worn that jacket in so many different ways for a few years now! Its cost per wear is probably around £2.

The £35 jacket? Its cost per wear remained £35 because I never wore it. I eventually donated it to a charity shop because it wasn't serving me and was taking up valuable space in my wardrobe that could be filled with items that suited me better.

An important lesson was learned then…

The most expensive clothes in our wardrobes are often the ones we don't wear.

Of course, price matters. We all have different budgets and financial commitments and finding something affordable can make a real difference.

Alongside the price, though, it is important to ask ourselves:

• Do I feel good in this?
• Does it fit well?
• Can I style it with at least three other items I already own?
• Most importantly… would I still want it if it wasn't in the sale?

My Top Tip for Shopping the Sales

Try not to look at the price first - sale or not sale. Take the time to try something on and notice how you feel in it. Does it make you feel confident? Does it work for your lifestyle? If the answer is yes, then look at the price and decide whether it is right for you and your budget. Sometimes we may find that instead of buying four things simply because they are reduced, we would be much better off investing in one piece that we genuinely love and will wear time and time again.

When we understand our lifestyle, colours, style and body architecture, we can make choices that feel much more intentional and considered.

Enjoy the sales. Look for those wonderful pieces that you love and give that little buzz when you put them on and make you want to wear them again and again because when we invest in clothes that make us feel fantastic, we are far more likely to wear them, love them and enjoy them for years to come.

Also, isn't that a much better feeling than simply knowing we got 50% off?

Written By Irene Burgin