I returned from Iceland with a little bit of spending money left, so I exchanged it back to pounds and decided to head out and see what was left of the January sales. I wasn't getting my hopes up as I knew that most of the real gems would probably be long gone. Which is absolutely crazy considering I only got back on the 3rd! But so many shops start their sales on Christmas eve now - never mind Boxing Day, and certainly not even waiting until January! Some shops will open at 7am, which seems like a trip for the most hardcore bargain hunter, especially since you can do your sales shopping online now from the comfort of your pj's.
Most Wanted, which is the lifestyle magazine from Vouchercodes.co.uk, got in touch to see if I fancied hitting the sales with a budget of £80 and seeing what bargains I could find. Challenge accepted!
Tshirt, £7 reduced from £14 @ Topshop
Skirt, £10 reduced from £20 @ Topshop
Shoes, £20 reduced from £50 @ Office
Jacket, £25 reduced from £48 @ Topshop
Bow headband, £2.50 reduced from £6.50 @ Topshop
Necklace (actually a headband) £1.50 reduced from £5.00 @ Miss Selfridge
So for a t-shirt, skirt, shoes, jacket, necklace & headband...
Outfit total= £66
(Actual outfit worth = £143.50)
I am really happy with my finds and for the price I got them. Would I have spent the original price on these items? Some yes, but some probably no. I like them all, but I don't think enough to pay another 50%+ of the money total. That's quite a chunk!
Personally, I am still undecided on whether I prefer exploring the sales online or in person on the high street. Of all my items above, the t-shirt, skirt and jacket were bought online, and the rest was bought in store.
Shopping online pro: Often a bigger selection of items and sizes, able to browse quicker and cover more shops than you would on foot, online sales tend to go live before they do in store.
Shopping online con: The BIGGEST bug for me is sizing. I will never buy something from a shop without trying on a few different sizes first, so why would doing it online make me feel any different. As the 'popular' sizes sell out fast come the sales, you may end up choosing something in a slightly bigger or slightly smaller size just for the sake of a good deal. Which sometimes can work out for the best (the drastic jump in size from different high street shops is horrendous at the best of times) but sometimes, not so great. I was happy with the fit of my jacket (10) and tshirt (12) but the skirt (12) fit around my thighs and is quite baggy at my stomach and waist as I have been loosing a wee bit of weight recently. If I had tried this on in store I wouldn't have taken it. But since it was online and there are no other sizes left, I've just kept it because it is 'here now anyway'.
Shopping in store pro: Tends to limit a lot of the above regarding sizing, and I think it's actually easier to keep a track of your budget and basket as you are not spending so easily with just a click. A trip to the changing rooms is like an X Factor elimination session for me. I see what I've picked up in a much clearer light and can be quick to ditch as soon as I have realised that style or that size does not do anything for me. Half the things that reach the checkout on my online shop are likely to have been ditched from the basket that is physically weighing my arm down in the shop.
Shopping in store con: Sometimes with a busy shop and packed changing room you can still get harassed enough to make quick decisions without really thinking. I picked my necklace up thinking it was just that, and only realised when I went to wear it that it was actually a headband. The big elastic strap at the back and sticker that said 'headband' on the tag should have given it away. But this was hidden in plain view for me because it was only £1.50.
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I think there are so many more reasons for and against both, and everyone will have their own opinion and what they like and don't, so I think you just need to do what works for you personally. As a female I want shopping to be fun and not a big silly stress! I'm much more savvy with my spending and my clothing needs these days and I want it to stay that way. Whether I was to hit the January sales online or on the high street, I'd initially write a wee mental list of any specific things I'm looking for and my budget for the day. But it's always that typical thing of when you go out on the hunt for something and actually wanting to spend money, you never see anything! I tend to want all the things in the world when I have no money to spend and no real need for anything.
Main pro: I think grabbing a bargain in the sales provides you with the perfect chance to perhaps broaden your horizon a bit and go out of your usual comfort zone, by trying pieces or styles that you wouldn't normally go for.
Main con: I think it also sends some peoples sensibility out the window, and we end up in a crazed frenzy buying things we don't need, that don't fit, or that we will end up not actually wearing.
With my £14 change, I could have forced a final spend on a Cath Kidston purse I've had my eye on in the sale which is £20. I like it, but I REALLY like a current non sale one in stock, which is £26. To stay closer to your budget, would you take advantage of the one that you're getting a bargain on, or would you pay that little extra to buy the one you actually prefer?
Enough talking from me! Look at this lovely picture the very talented Neil Slorance did of me, John and Dexter for our anniversary :) I wanted to share the digital copy on here, and John has the original framed in his room. I'll also be sharing a bit more of an insight into my relationship over the next 28 days, as tomorrow I embark upon an 'alterna-valentines' project called Tokens Of Affection. Using the hashtag on instagram and twitter #tokensofaffection I will be documenting the everyday things that make my relationship special and glue me and John together. And before you feel all sicky and romantic and vomit everywhere - I don't live with John and don't see him every day, so I'll be breaking our pictures with any other little displays of lovelyness going on in my life from other people too. So check out the main blog post at Ask Her Friends, and I hope you enjoy following the eclectic range of people taking part.
Ayden x