How to tackle the sales
This is something that I do mention a number of times a year but I really don't think a reminder harms. Mainly for myself. Seeing as I am turning into a goldfish. My memory cells seem to disintegrate with every month I age. Seriously, it's becoming embarrassing how scatty I can be.
But when it comes to sale shopping, I am on it like a rocket.
Ok. So that's at the beginning of the sales, ie now. I'm not going to lie (even to myself). When it approaches the end of the sales, complete mania has been known to set in and all rules are out of the window (although I do end up returning most of it. Or regretting the purchase. I'd love to say it's usually the former - we all know it's the latter).
However when it comes to the start of the sales I am Mrs Determined. I will not break. I have sales rules and I will follow them. I just need to stay like this until Autumn.. Who else is with me?
To help us all, I'm going to keep these brief. The less there are, the easier they will be to follow, surely?
- Are you buying it just because it's heavily reduced? If it were in Zara for sale at the same price, would you buy it...
- Can you think of three occasions when you will wear it? And are they in the foreseeable future? This is important. I used to buy things to wear next season. Trust me - 99% of the time, this is a mistake. Buy it if you will wear it now and into next season but DO NOT buy something to wear in September. Because you won't. Fact. Trust me. I have the piles of crap I've bought and never worn to prove it.
- Buy less. I have learnt it's better to go up a budget and invest in one or two things than buy ten cheaper things. These are the things over the years that I have kept.
And that, my friends. is all we have to do. It's as simple as that. If we stick to the rules, we can all have at least one gem that will last the test of time.
Taking this into consideration, today I am all about the investment piece. The leather jacket. I got mine from hush (alas all sold out) at the beginning of the season. And I thought I might get a bit of wear out of in the Spring.
You may have noticed that I've lived in it. Thanks to the glorious (not) weather we've been having, I have worn this a couple of times a week. It has proven to be more versatile than any other jacket I own. I wear it with literally everything (yes, even my active wear. Which does consist of harem pants mostly as Pilates is as active as I get). And this has been the Spring/Summer. I reckon I can easily justify another one in a different colour for the Autum/Winter as it is genuinely the most useful jacket I've ever had.
If you do not have one of these, please please consider buying one. Tell me your reasons for not having one and I will tell you how it will change your life.
And since the weather looks like it's not getting any better any time soon, we have rule three covered. You will be wearing this at the weekend. I am out for dinner on Friday and Saturday night and am planning on wearing dresses for both occasions - and this will be my jacket. Not to mention during the day.
With the sales on - this is the perfect time to invest. You can spend as much or as little as you want. I haven't gone top top end here as frankly, I don't think you need to. For not a ridiculous amount, you can get a soft, buttery leather jacket with excellent quality hardware, that fits like a dream and will just get better as it ages.
And in the sales you can get a £500+ jacket for half the price.
All Saints are Kings of Leather and their sale has just started. Great fit (although I do have to size up if I want to wear anything other than just my bra under it as I have massive shoulders being 5ft10), buttery soft leather, gorgeous detailing and when they're in the sale, prices that won't make you weep. Well, a slight tear may be shed but we're not talking Rick Owens wailing.
Starting with classic black. The must have for the majority of us. Although I will say, this looks like a washed black and would be perfect for those who are concerned that sometimes black leather can look quite harsh. There isn't a whiff of a Hell's Angel with this one.
Agnes Leather Biker Jacket in black was £358 now £250
Or collarless at Whistles. Adore this. Seriously love it and wonder could I justify another black one... (seeing how much I live in the one I have).
Drew Collarless Jacket was £350 now £225
Vivo Leather Biker Jacket was £475 now £237.50
Even more pared back - again at Sandro and 50% off in the sale.
Leather Biker Jacket was £499 now £249.50
Bargain time though at Mango. So... you can still use their discount code for 40% off one item and 30% off two with the code 6SALE8.
Pocket Leather Jacket in Black was £119.99 before discount.
Personally though, I prefer the extra detailing on this Mango one which is already reduced.
Pocket Leather Jacket was £119.99 now £79.99
Granite is the other option - again from All Saints (although I will say I can't really see much difference between this and the black above, although the granite looks blacker!).
Bleeker Biker Jacket in Granite was £328 now £229
And then we go off piste... Coloured leather. Starting with khaki. What's not to love?
Obika Khaki Leather Biker Jacket at All Saints was £358 now £250
More khaki at Whistles in the sale. Now online at the Whistles site there is diddly squat left in stock. But much better levels at House of Fraser.
Whistles Payne Leather Biker Jacket in Khaki was £350 now £250
Moving towards the brown side of khaki with mushroom at Muubaa. These are the most wonderful leather jackets. Mostly sold in small boutiques - they do need to be felt to be believed.
Norma Leather Jacket in mushroom from Muubaa was £397.73 now £170.91
Brown.. I love this shade. I have a chocolate one which is far more useful than you would think.
Klyn Biker Jacket in Brick Brown was £298 now £208
Brown again, this time at Whistles in their Agnes style and in a similar chestnut/rust brown shade. Perfect for all year round.
Agnes Leather Biker Jacket from Whistles was £330 now £250
And now, one in navy. Suddenly, I don't think I can live without a navy leather jacket. I love wearing my black leather with navy (that will be today's outfit sorted then.. see below) and I think the navy with black outfits will be fabulously useful.
Vernon Forever Leather Jacket from Finery £295 Don't forget your 20% off with Paypal20...
More blue at All Saints, although personally the belt of the one above does it for me.
Bleeker Leather BIker Jacket was £328 now £229
Leather bargain of the day isn't blue but is green, at Mango using the code above.
Leather jacket in Green £89.99 before discount. (with 40% off it makes it £53.99 and you can use the code as I've tried. Whoop whoop).
However if we're talking bargains, I know suede really isn't the point but if you are looking for a jacket to go with your dresses on the cooler days, this is absolutely gorgeous and an amazing price for suede. The ultimate vintage vibe.
Suede Jacket from Mango was £79.99 now £39.99
And here I am today in mine. Yet again in mine.
Breton top - Joseph
Ava navy trousers - Marks and Spencer
Onyx leather jacket - hush
Gold Kipper loafers - Kurt Geiger
Black Half moon bag - APC
So fess up with your sales tactics. Are you a rule follower? Do you avoid at all costs? Have you already bagged any bargains? (of the good variety..!) Anyone fancy being strong with me? I will if you will....
(and we Will Not Raid the Zara bargain rail at the end of July. Will we....??)
Nothing yet although I have just splashed out on a Cecilia Copenhagen shirt (£60). I do, however, have a very old biker jacket that is 2 sizes too small - fits on the arms etc just can't do it up. It's a black leather collarless style. Thought it was horribly dated, looks like it might be a classic that I could get out again for this rubbish weather. Will give it a try, thanks! Jo
ReplyDeleteOh I really don't think it matters if you can't do them up. Love the shrunken look! Get it out!!
DeleteAlways get mine from Mint Velvet in sale, really soft leather, great colours like navy, light gray, charcoal and real bargain at sale price
ReplyDeleteSale hasn't started yet though... !
DeleteLoving the navy bikers. And the weather in Australia has finally turned wintry so a browse is in order! Also you might like the bikers at Jaeger outlet £149 and the collarless - the khaki is gorgeous - in Jaeger for £250
ReplyDeleteOh fab tip, thank you!
DeleteWhat a coincidence I commented on yesterday's post only a couple of hours ago telling you that veryexclusive have gone into sale and have the navy whistles jacket in navy reduced. I've ordered to try. I have also bought a Whistles waterproof coat - hoping I won't need but to take to Glastonbury next week and a Chloe Hudson in the farfetch sale! 30% off. That will have to be all my sale purchases I'm afraid!! She says -till next week!!!
ReplyDeleteCHECK YOU OUT!!!!! Will have a look at Very, thank you! Am off to my first festival in living memory this Summer so will have festival garb shortly.
DeleteOh I hate sales but love them at the same time ..... already given in and bought a khaki voile Splendid shirt which I will wear to death as my love of khaki grows stronger by the day! Now realised, thanks to you Kat, that there is a big gaping hole in my wardrobe waiting for a khaki leather biker, oh yes!!
ReplyDeleteAHA!! You will thank me this weekend when it's peeing down and you're in a leather!
DeleteBought a navy leather last autumn and have worn it loads, last used yesterday evening, it dresses up casual outfits and adds an edge to dressy ones. Probably will add another colour when I decide what that colour should be! I love the suede one, but know from experience I wont use it as much, as I'll avoid rain (light rain is fine with my leather).
ReplyDeleteLove your sale rules, they are actually good to keep in mind all year, especially with discount codes becoming more of a regular thing!
Danish Pastry
I know completely what you mean. I have had the same epiphany with suede boots!
DeleteI'm in the US, and got two gorgeous leather jackets from Lucky Brand in the sales at the end of last year - quite similar to the Mango pockets one, but longer. Got a tan one that I loved so much, I bought it in black too! Also have a black biker style from Whistles several years ago, and a suede fringed one from the Kate Moss x Topshop collab. So I think I'm all set for leather jackets! Ooh, I also have a faux leather biker waistcoat, too...
ReplyDeleteOk you are WAY ahead of the leather jacket game!
DeleteOmg the Marc Jacobs matt leather jacket is amazing.....sadly I wouldnt get into a M and L is sold out. less than half price too!
ReplyDeleteWhich is the Marc Jacobs one??! (really can't remember putting one on.. Muubaa or Mango?!)
DeleteDear Kat, your Rule Number 2 should be tattooed on my eyeballs. You are so right and I need to remember this whenever I am tempted to buy...
ReplyDeleteI used to be THe Worst for this. "I'll love it in the Winter".. Winter arrives and I hate the thing so much I want to cry.... Familiar??
DeleteGood morning Kat, very good to hear you are getting some relief on the trapped nerve front.
ReplyDeleteExcellent "Sales" advice. Especially the 'avoid buying for next season'. I have made this mistake so many times even in respect of kids clothes - disaster!
Slightly off piste but may I ask your thoughts on ME+EM denim? I know you're a big fan of the brand but I can't recall seeing you in their denim. They're are some great reductions in their sale. That's Kat. Stay well.
Aha - now I replied to this and I don't know where it went! I really wanted their grey skinnies but by the time I'd made up my mind, they'd sold out. Duh. Have also tried their flared jeans for a photo shoot and they were gorgeous but an INCH too short for me. I would definitely recommend.xx
ReplyDeleteThanks a million Kat! Really appreciate you replying. I have my eye on the high waisted (muffin restrainer!) skinnies. I adore ME+EM but have to be careful as delivery charges/returns to/from Ireland are expensive. Sincere thanks again.
DeleteGood luck and fingers crossed xxxx
DeleteI have said muffin restrained jeans from Me & Em they are lovely quality and fit.
DeleteGreat advice, love the Whistles jacket but I'm sadly totally skint at the moment even the Primarni sale rail is too much! Of cause this means I will see loads of great bargains! x
ReplyDeleteOh gosh that's always the way. But my advice would be to re look at what you've got and think about wearing things in a different way maybe? That way you get lots of "new" outfits merely by reusing what you already have. Maybe buy one thing that can give new life to your old favourites and get you through to next season?
Deleteso glad you agree on the, you don't have to be able to do your coat up, got my eye on a fabulous animal print knee length coat in the sale,just cant do it up [unless i size up but like the fit better of the smaller one] i just don't know what to do .x
ReplyDeleteIf it fits well elsewhere, I absolutely don't think it has to do up! If it's small elsewhere then I would say no...
DeleteYou are so right about buying in advance - just obeying some Kurt Geiger slip ons that make my little feet look like chipolatas that I bought in the winter and now can't return. My purchases today (its not been a good week, needed retail therapy) were some Raybans (Elle has a 20% code and you can get them personalised - yes they saw me coming I know) and those Toga Pulla dupes from ASOS. Have resisted looking at Finery and Plumo....
ReplyDeleteRetail therapy is definitely the best therapy there is!
DeleteThose are some lovely leather jackets (although I have 3 already so not sure I could justify another one...) fabulous gold loafers as well! Jane X
ReplyDeletehttp://arthursmum.com
I love those loafers so much!
DeleteI am gutted the Hush leather jackets sold out and I am really hoping they will restock this season, as they have done with other items. It was going to be my weight loss/fitness reward to myself :(
ReplyDeleteI do know they are definitely doing it again next season and maybe in another colour as well.....!
DeleteOMG Kat - just watched you on Hush vid!!!! You sound so differently from what I expected which is a daft thing to say as I've no idea what I would have expected you to sound like - Dear God I'm a rambler. Loved your clip. Brilliant!!
ReplyDeleteJust included it on a blog. I can't watch it. The 11yr old thinks it is the most brilliant thing ever... hmmm!!
DeleteIt is fantastic! You are officially a You Tube sensation (so my 11 yr old daughter would think if it were me!).
ReplyDeleteOh I LOVE YOU!! xx
DeleteI am in my fifties, love fashion but have never owned and will never own a leather jacket. You look nice, but they are most unflattering to the vast majority of women! Xx
ReplyDeleteOh gosh I know loads and loads of women who wear them and they look fabulous! Great thing about leather jackets is that there are so many different styles around, there definitely is something for everyone. Maybe suede is more your thing? (coming up today!!)
DeleteThis is a fantastic website and I can not recommend you guys enough. Textile Motorbike Gloves
ReplyDelete