The fashion industry is a very fast-paced environment, continuously searching for new trends and endeavouring to anticipate what will, or should, be ‘in’ next season. Usually designers, manufacturers and retail are already looking at the next season before this season is over.

Personally, I am always being faced with the same problem: I can never get the winter clothing I need when it’s mid-winter, and I can never purchase the summer clothing I need in mid-summer. However, this hides a very good opportunity: As soon as retail shops are starting to exchange their collections, they will sell the existing collection often at a much lower price. In the end, they will not be able to sell the old collection otherwise, and they also can not keep it for next year.

I have had already many opportunities, where I save a lot of money: last summer, I bought a Diesel jacket for 120 Euros in stead of 220 Euros, I bought a G-Star jeans for 69 Euros in stead of 100 or so. And in some rare cases, you may find the finest shoes on the upper pricing scale, sold for only 50% of the original price.

From my experience, I have adopted the following rules for buying fashion, to which I usually stick:

• I will continuously compare products and prices, even if I do not need them. This keeps me informed all the time, and I always know where I can get what product at which price. As soon as there is a sale, I will take a closer look at it.
• I will wait with my purchase until I really need it. If I do not need an item, and it is unlikely I will need it in near future, I will not buy it, also not when there is a sale. If I do need an item or I might need it in near future, I will look at discounts first.
• I will never buy something I do not like, simply becuase it’s cheap. I will not buy something of poor quality, simply becuase it’s cheap.
• If I am not sure whether or not to buy a specific item, I will leave the shop and return back later, perhaps with a friend.

The above examples are based mainly on the European market, and sales might take place differently in other parts of the world. I would very much welcome your comments, experiences and tips.

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