TIME HIT THE SALES - PROCEED WITH CAUTION!!

BRING ON THEM BARGAINS........

LADIES, the December/January sales will soon be here.  I hear you cry ‘Bargains, Bargains and more Bargains!!!!!’ Do your eyes light up when you see the big SALE signs in your favourite shops or are you of the thousands of women that queue up outside Next in the middle of the night and surge the doors as soon as they open? Many of the large high street stores start their online sales as soon as they close the doors on Christmas eve. Even the presents you have bought may have been reduced.  Shopping on line is even more tempting as all you do is sit there and click, always check their returns policy as they should follow the distance selling laws.. http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/online-shopping/distance-selling-regulations/

Your eyes grow big when you see the signs saying 50% off but forgot to read the small print “on selected items only”.  You rush into the shop only to be left bewildered because the items you really want have not been reduced or it they have by only 20%.  With your bubble burst you stroll over the sign that says 50% off, nothing really catches your eye but then you see a garment in your size.  You hold it up against you and then you say to yourself .……"it’s ok, cheap"…"not my size but I'll grow into it, I’m gonna buy it anyway"………...  STOP RIGHT THERE!!!!

• Have you consider will it suit your body shape and lifestyle?
• Is it the right colour for you?
• Do you have anything else in your wardrobe that will go with it?
• Does it actually fit?

Always remember A BARGAIN ISN’T A BARGAIN IF:

• It’s not your size or doesn’t fit properly—you are a size 16 and see the a size 12 dress but it has Lycra and it stretches, yeah enough stretch for a size 12, but not to stretch to a size 16 …. BUY YOUR SIZE
• If it doesn’t suit your lifestyle or you think you’ll wear one day in the future
• If it’s not your colour—unless you want to look ill so you can fake sick at work then buy it!

HOW TO BE A SAVVY SALES SHOPPER

• Only buy high-fashion items if they're at rock-bottom prices
• If you're hoping to bag a designer bargain, you need to take the opposite approach
• Don't be tempted to buy anything just because it has a designer label. A big name won't make it look any better if it's the wrong cut or colour for you
• Don't always go on the first day. Stores often offer extra discounts once the sales have started and even more on the last few days, 
• Keep receipts because if you do have to take the item back you may only get a refund at the last marked price if you don't have proof of purchase – make sure you ask about the returns policy
• Buy in multiples – if you find a really good staple buy at least 2, only in classic colours
• Think about how many times you’ll wear the garment – not just because it’s currently ‘on trend’
• Before you set out make sure you are wearing layers, easy to take off clothes, comfortable shoes. Plan where you want to go, even make a list of the things you want.  This way you know what you want and won’t go overboard buying things you don’t need.
• Go early, best bargains are normally out in the morning
• If you are shopping on line only use reputable sites, they have to abide by the Distance Selling laws

KNOW YOU RIGHTS

It is important that you know your consumer rights. You are still protected with consumer rights even if you shop in the sales.  http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/sale-of-goods/how-to-buy-in-sales/


I offer a Bespoke Styling Concierge Service, for more details  www.clothes4realwomen.com

Time to de-clutter your wardrobe

Your individual style tells more about you……. If you feel good about yourself you’ll be more confident and stand straighter!

Wardrobe de-cluttering, time to conquer that clutter…..and clean up your life!

How many times have you braced yourself, taken a deep breath and then opened your wardrobe?  Why, because you have so much stuff in there, one wrong move it will come tumbling down on you or you just stick your hand in the  hope to pull out something decent to wear.

Now it’s time to conquer your wardrobe – a detox, deep cleanse or whatever name you want to use.  It’s been a long time coming, today is the day. Seeing what you have can save you hundreds of pounds, even make you money as you might discover some things you don’t want and sell them on eBay, you’ll get more if they have never been worn! Tempting? Yes, so let’s begin.

Here’s a quick guide to help you:

The first step in any organising process is making crucial and often difficult decisions to provide space for the things truly worth saving, if it doesn’t fit or it is out of style, get rid of it by donating it to someone in need. 

Some garments might be hidden from view; yes you know you haven’t seen the back of your wardrobe in years. Takeout everything and lay it on your bed. Hangers are very important; wire hangers ruin your clothes, through them out!  Opt for plastic (like the ones you see in the shops) or wooden. Most shops will give you the plastic hanger with your garments; just ask if they don’t, some may even give away extra hangers. Uniform hangers enable clothes to hang the at the same level, use the same hangers throughout your wardrobe.  Coats and jackets I suggest investing in the sturdy wooden type.

Think of your wardrobe as your personal boutique. When you walk into a boutique everything is laid out clearly for you to part with your money. Hang blouses together and sort skirts by height, trousers and dresses should have their own “department”.  When your wardrobe is organised by type and hanging length, extra space is gained under for shorter items for shoes, luggage or even a laundry basket. Coats and jackets should be in a separate area.

As part of my Personal Styling Concierge Service I provide Wardrobe Styling service – taking it apart and then re-organising your entire wardrobe. We wear less than 25 per cent of the content of our wardrobe and you will be surprised at the results, it may even feel like you are shopping in your own wardrobe as you will discover things that you never thought you had.

Further information www.clothes4realwomen.com