The January Sales Cheat Sheet: What To Buy Now For Next Season

Get a head start on your SS15 wardrobe - at a fraction of the cost...

The January sales are a time to snap up that designer handbag you’ve been lusting after all season long for half the price, as well as to get a head start on the next season trends, at a fraction of the cost.

So what’s worth sharpening those elbows for? And what’s not only a bargain but also an investment for SS15? Here’s what to buy - and avoid – in the January sales.

Happy hunting…

1. Go Big on Floral Go big or go home was the motto of the SS15 runways. Florals were big, bold and head-to-toe so look out for flower power maxi dresses and hot-house palm-print jumpsuits. And hey, if Victoria Beckham is doing pink floral suits, it’s good enough for us…

2. Skinnies Are Out. Flares Are In. In case you didn’t get the memo, the 70s is BIG news for Spring/Summer 15. From flared jeans for the day and shimmering lame flares for the evening, there’s no getting away with the fact that THIS is the shape of the season. Buy wise now and you’ll save yourself a pretty sum come spring…

3. Single Soles Are No More SS15 is all about the platform. Seen on the Tom Ford and Saint Laurent catwalks, they’re the evening shoe of choice and will trounce all over those sleek, minimal heels you’ve been coveting for the last few seasons.

4. Denim, Lots And Lots of Denim Denim was one of the main take-away trends of the season. Not ground-breakingly new we admit, but this time it’s moved far beyond the shirt and denim pencil skirt. Now it’s all about tailoring (see Anthony Vaccarello’s pinstripe denim suit and the ah-mazing Tod’s number), and unexpected cuts and finishes such as Valentino’s ankle-grazing skirts and Burberry’s feather embellished jackets.

5. Just Add Pockets Juxtaposing all the pretty, floaty 70s pieces, there was an hardy utilitarian undercurrent running trough many a SS15 catwalk collection. While camouflage prints and khaki suedes are worth looking out for, large utilitarian pockets are the main must-own detail. From shirts to dresses, it’s an easily accessible way to add edge to your off-duty look.

6. Faux Fur is Staying Put - Seriously More than ever before designers are changing their mindset towards seasonal fabrics. And with collections landing in stores earlier and earlier each year, SS15 sees faux fur as a prominent fixture.

There’s sure to be tones of the stuff in the sales too so we advise you opt for accessories and faux fur trims while gilets will tap into Tommy Hilfiger’s festival vibe perfectly. And opt for light summery shades- nudes, tans and pastels a la Shrimps SS15.

7. All-Weather Leather Fashion’s love-in with leather is far from over. And for spring, designers are pushing the tactile stuff like never before. But for SS15 it’s all about colour. From greens to purple and pinks – see Coach, Loewe, and Miu Miu in a lesson in breaking the summer dressing rules…

8. Swap Pleats for Tulle The oh-so-covetable accordion pleats we’ve been relying on day and night are now been swapped out for tulle. Seen on the Christopher Kane and Burberry catwalks, this pretty fabric comes in all colours of the rainbow and looks most effective when peeking out from a structured jacket or contrasted against form-fitting satin.

9. That 70s Show Ditch the heavy winter fabrics in favour of lightweight, buttery soft suede. Tapping into the 70s trends and coming in all kinds of pretty pastel shades, this retro fabric is applied to feminine silhouettes for SS15 including cropped jackets and flared skater skirts.

10. Tie It Up The single earring was THE accessory trend of AW14. For SS15 it’s all change... A thin long necktie is the accessory for this 70s infused season. Worn with a maxi dress by day and a blazer and hot pants by night, it’s the easiest and simplest of ways to nod to the hedonistic groupie vibe. But you’ll have to sharpen those elbows to get your hands on one in the sales.

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