23. April 2026
What to buy in the summer sales
Here's my guide to sales shopping joy
Summer sales are, in my opinion, one of the most tempting. The sun is out, the colours tend to be brighter, dreamier. That combined with the dopamine rush we get from buying clothes is enough to encourage us to buy more.
And we are buying more, research showing it’s 60% more than 25 years ago! We are to some degree being conned. Retailers are known to specifically produce items for sales and outlet shops, so it's not a bargain, but a strategy that you are buying. They also create shop layouts that entice you to buy what you never had planned.
The thing is, if we wear what we buy then yippee. But most of us are disgruntled by our wardrobes, and the guilt that lies in there. We are not wearing anything between 25% and 40% of our crammed closets.
That was the end of the gloomy bit I promise!
Buying what you will wear and will give you joy is wonderful, and I encourage it. You will no longer feel guilt and you will ‘turn out’ as you. So what should you buy from the summer sales?
Read on to find out how...
- to believe in your judgement and experience.
- to get all out joy .
- to take happy control of what you buy
Believe in your judgement and experience
Isn’t it true that when you go shopping in the sales you forget what mistakes you have made before and what you already have in your wardrobe?
You’ve been here so many times, (probably most years) so use that judgement and experience to sharpen your eye to buy items that will compliment you, and compliment your existing wardrobe.
It’ll take no time at all to take a couple of pictures of the contents of your wardrobe before you go shopping. This is a must for
1) not repeat buying and
2) checking out items that will serve what you already have.
My memory of what I have in my wardrobe is good, but even I can’t remember a lot of what’s there and repeat buy. Also spend a couple of minutes, in the car or on the train, trying to remember any good purchases and why they were good. And any bad ones. That’ll help bring focus when you are under the trance of the 50% off sign!
Get all out joy
The all out pleasure comes from a bargain that we wear, looks great and goes with something we already have.
I find nothing is more valuable than an item that is my style, works perfectly with my colour profile, fits AND is half price.
You will not feel like you have been sucked in by the retailers. You will feel like you have outwhitted them!
So knowing your style personality, knowing your colour profile and knowing what suits your body shape will have you heading for the items you should buy and away from those that will just cost you more guilt.
Three quick tips here
1 Use that photo of your wardrobe to remind you what styles you like and that suit you best
2 Try on anything before you buy it to see how it looks
3 If you can, hold the colour up to your face in a mirror, by a window to see if it works for you.
Take happy control
Write a wish list before you leave for the shops. What would make your wardrobe complete? I’m not saying you shouldn’t be open to new items. But you will probably get more satisfaction from something that you need.
The most common items identified by my clients in wardrobe edits, for example, are
- Belts
- Short jackets that can be worn for both social and work e.g. bomber
- Smartish boots
If you don't find what’s on your shopping list, don’t give up, use it as the opportunity to continue the joyous hunt for those perfect items.
Remember
- Take a picture of your wardrobe
- Have a checklist of what you need - here's mine you can download here
- Try stuff on in the shops before buying
Many of us are unhappy with the amount of clothes we have in our wardrobes and feel guilty about not wearing it. Shopping gives us a joyous opportunity, but that will only be short lived if it adds to this. So take on the retailers with your own plan to find items that will flatter you, be worn and be a bargain.
Book a free consultation to discuss a wardrobe review and edit that will help you forever when sales shopping. Email me to find a time.
Download my one page sales shopping checklist.