if it hasn't been bought till now, there is a good reason for that, especially if there are still about twenty pieces of that item in the shop.  ask yourself, is it a bargain because it's not sellable? is it because the quality is inferior? by buying this item, am i making myself a favour or the store? take time to consider these questions before heading to the cash point. 

this is the time to lay your hands on that most lusted after designer bag or high-end dress which on any other day/week/month of the year you would have thought 253,402,538 times before buying.  not everyone's spending power is the same and in this day and age, most of us could find it difficult to just go and buy a €200 shirt on a whim.  keep an eye on your desired item and as soon as you see the big bold sale notice being affixed onto the shop window, run like your life depended on it. 

we've seen the autumn-winter 2013-14 designer collections a few weeks ago already. take inspiration from the trend setters and hunt for those pieces that will work well with what's coming up for the next season. this can be a bit tricky, but it's not impossible. this year, look out for red dresses, layered or a-line skirts, modern dark cuts, couture grunge, dark florals and shiny materials. chunky pastel-coloured sweaters are also a good transition piece.

sales: what to watch out for by tikkamars featuring a floral blouse

• online vs in-shop 

as i said before, there were days when i used to do the sales properly - shopping till i physically dropped, really. alas, not any more. with more an more online stores popping up, i personally much prefer the comfort of home shopping than the whole cacophony of shopping in-store, despite it being less 'fun'. moreover, online shops tend to retain the regular returns / exchange period whereas stores tend to reduce that during sales. much as i would love to support the local economy - wherever in the world i would be - i'm afraid online stores win me over on this. 

• on trend vs classic 

sales can be somewhat treacherous. they're the time when you buy your millionth aztec print top, only to find yourself not wearing it till next summer, when, lo and behold, it's no longer fashionable. as i mentioned earlier, this is the right time to invest. hunt down those pieces which have a more classic cut or design as you'll keep wearing them - and enjoying them - for much much longer. if you're hell bent on getting your millionth aztec print top, make that your cheapest purchase and spare some pennies for a crisp white shirt or a lightweight trench.