Put the wind in your winter sales: How to grab a fashion bargain

If you think you can just waltz into your favourite stores, rummage about and come out satisfied, then think again. This delicate operation requires careful planning, says Harriet Walker

Goodwill and festive cheer are all very well in the run-up to Christmas, but they're out of the window by Boxing Day, when the majority of the sales start. This is the time to sharpen your elbows and look out for number one. Forget the adages: it's the getting, not the giving, and most definitely the price, not the thought, that counts.

The more naïve may feel that simply turning up and having a rummage is satisfactory sales technique. You wouldn't tread the boards as King Lear without first reading the play, would you? The more academic a sales shopper you are, the better your finds will be. Not for you, the paying over the odds for a cashmere sweater with a hole in it. Farewell, over-priced cocktail dress that you'll never dare to wear.

Being ruthlessly efficient in your planning means you won't waste money or time when you hit the shops: work out what you need more of, what is missing from your wardrobe and what you have a surplus of.

There's also the theory that the sales are an ideal opportunity to invest in a cut-price show-stopping piece. This can be a great idea, but it can also backfire horribly. Be sure to have at least an idea of what you'd like – whether it's an updated LBD or a classic trench – so you don't fall prey to any of the other numerous, well-priced statement pieces you'll no doubt walk past. The situation to avoid is ending up out-of-pocket feeling no one at work or in the pub will 'get' the £1000 fuchsia-quilted bomber jacket you fought tooth and nail over.

It's sensible to use the sales as a means of replenishing or improving your basics, so look for timeless, everyday pieces that you know will come in handy. Anything slightly garish or esoterically fashion forward is probably left over because other people were too afraid to wear it in public; why would you be any different? Be on the lookout for high-end shoes and boots, bags, jackets and coats, which would otherwise be out of your price range, but which make ideal finishing touches to any outfit – Mulberry, Anya Hindmarch and Chanel are all good starting points. Autumn / winter pieces thatwill work into spring / summer include oversized blazers, dohti trousers and narrow leg jeans.

Pick your destinations carefully too. If a specific brand has piqued your interest, go to one of their main shops, as concessions within department stores have more limited ranges. But if you're interested in comparing brands and prices, then larger stores and malls are the best places to visit.

Technique-wise, it pays to arrive early. Those desperados who queue outside Next at 5am always leave with the slogan tee they came for. It may also be a good idea to watch George Romero's Dawn of the Dead, famously set within a zombie-infested shopping mall, just so you have an idea of the worst-case scenario.

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In...

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Out...

Fishnet tights

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