July 17, 2026
The Weekend Read✨The Summer Sales Challenge - How Would You Spend £100?
Jenny Goldsmith | Read in 5 minutes
Hello!
We thought this week it would be fun to do something a little different and set you a challenge. If we gave you £100 to spend in the sales this weekend, how would you spend it?
Firstly, where would you start? Would you head straight for a new dress? Would you treat yourself to another pair of shoes? Or maybe pick up a few tops because they are reduced? Or, would you spend it completely differently?
As personal stylists, we'll let you into a little secret about shopping the sales that many clients don't realise: We don't shop by looking for the biggest discount, we shop by looking for the biggest impact we can make with the money we have.
The Challenge
In this climate, £100 might not seem much, so how do you make it work as hard as possible for you and your wardrobe? Here are 2 possible ways:
Option One: Four Sale Bargains
Some of you may want to stretch the £100 as far as you can making multiple purchases:
- A jumper for £25.
- A blouse for £20.
- A dress for £30.
- A handbag for £25.
Four lovely purchases, and it sounds like a successful shopping trip, until you get home. The jumper you bought only works with one pair of trousers, the dress needs different shoes and the handbag that looked liked a bargain at 50% off doesn't really match your coats. The colours you bought might not be quite in your seasonal colour palette and the blouse creases every time you wear it as it's made of a cheaper material you're not a fan of anyway.
Suddenly your four bargains don't feel quite so clever.
Option Two: One Wardrobe Hero
Imagine spending the entire £100 on one item. It could be a beautifully cut jacket that fits like a dream, or a sumptuous leather handbag you've always had your eye on. Perhaps it is one fabulous pair of jeans that fit perfectly (and how often does that happen)?
At first glance, it almost feels disappointing to only make one purchase, like you've been cheated out of the thrill of stretching your money as far as it will go. But here's the difference. That one item suddenly transforms everything already hanging in your wardrobe. Think about how many ways you can wear it and what items you already own that it will go with:
Five of your tops.
- Three of your favourite dresses.
- Two pairs of staple trousers.
- Your go-to trainers.
- Your year-round boots.
One carefully chosen purchase has suddenly created twenty new outfit combinations. Now that's value for your wardrobe and your purse.
So What Would We Buy?
This was harder than you might think! After a little debate over coffee, here's where we'd happily invest our £100.
Judi's choice
"I'd be looking for a fabulous jacket in one of my best Spring colours. I love a great jacket and I wear them a lot. It's the sort of piece I'd wear with jeans, dresses, trousers or over a simple satin T-shirt to elevate it. I'd rather buy one brilliant piece than four average ones."
Jenny's choice
"I'd probably invest in a beautiful suede handbag - I love them. I carry one with me every single day whatever I'm doing, and it instantly makes my outfits feel more polished. I'll choose really carefully to buy the highest quality I can so I'll still be carrying it years from now."
So both of us would choose different items but with exactly the same thinking: Buy quality and it will be something you'll love for years.
Before You Head to The Checkout
Remember to ask yourself these questions before you head to the checkout as one final check: Does this work with at least five pieces I already own (tops or bottoms depending on what you are buying)? Can I picture myself wearing it regularly, on average 4-5 times a month? Would I still choose it if it wasn't in the sale? Is it from my seasonal colour palette? Does it reflect my clothing personality and does it suit me? If the answer is yes to every question, then congratulations, you've probably found a wonderful purchase.
When you next have a coffee and some quiet time, go online with your imaginary £100 and shop the sales to find the best purchase you think would work for you, based on the style tips we have talked about.
What would you choose, four or five smaller bargains or an investment piece?Pop over to Facebook or Instagram and tell us. We genuinely can't wait to hear your answers and don't forget to tell us what you'd buy too!
Final Thoughts: The Mindful Shopping Challenge
The summer sales aren't really about spending less. They're about buying more wisely. When every purchase has a purpose, your wardrobe becomes easier to wear, easier to style and far better value in the long run. The smartest shoppers don't necessarily come home with the most bags, they come home with the right ones.
So if you are off sale shopping or are going to take us up on our imaginary £100 challenge to shop the sales online, do let us know on Facebook or Instagram what you would buy. Let's see who can find the best investment piece!
Until next Saturday...have a wonderful week!
Best wishes,
Jenny & Judi xx
Next week in The Weekend Read we'll be talking about how to build 10 outfits from just 10 pieces.
Jenny Goldsmith
Personal Style Coach
Tel: 07986 062460
e: jenny.goldsmith@houseofcolour.co.uk
w: www.houseofcolour.co.uk/jennygoldsmith
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