My essential guide to what to look out for in the summer sales (and I'm an expert!);




The Debenhams sale is in full swing with up to 50% off across the store.

  THE SUMMER sales have arrived but this year they’re earlier than ever. A combination of the recession and the changeable weather has proved a wash-out for the High Street - and this has left warehouses stuffed to the rafters with unsold strappy, floaty frocks and shorts.


This season, retailers have had a hard time of it, being unable to shift much of their summer stock, when outside the Grey skies do not inspire people to rush out and buy pretty little dresses, or pull from the racks of pastels and pale shades lining the stores. Retailers had no other choice but to put up the signs and mark down the prices, after a disastrous spring season left them with huge amounts of clothing to shift.


Many of the major department stores have started their sales in the last week of June, rather than July, the traditional time for summer promotions. It’s been a difficult season for retailers but it’s great news for Irelands shopaholics. Many fashion chains launched their mid-season sales last weekend in a desperate bid to salvage profits. There appears to be a consensus among the style cognoscenti that the sales are the last place you should look for fashion. Depressed? Don’t be.


This doesn’t mean you have to go off and spend your days drooling over dishwashers, or dining room tables. You can still find bargains, it’s just that you should aim to buy good, classic items of clothing which will easily integrate into your wardrobe clothes that will be constantly on your back, rather than flashy one-season wonders.


At the start of the season, the shops were filled with floaty florals but these are already looking quite dated my advice is to look for pieces in floaty fabrics but buy pieces in muted soft shades if you really want to be bang on trend. That perennial favourite, the nautical theme, is also looking a little tired, so avoid the whole top-to toe sailor look. Instead, opt for a crisp pair of white Capri pants to see you through the summer months. Style pundits can always be found eyeing up the cashmere or heading for the cash desk with an armful of anonymous black bargains.


Try not to be swayed by what may appear to be fantastic reductions. There is no such thing as a giveaway price. It may seem like the chance in a million to own a fantastically fashionable dress by an international designer at a snip of its original price, but how many times will you get to wear the darned thing, and why are there so many still hanging on the rail?


Tell yourself that something reasonably basic in black, white, navy, or neutral will be a wardrobe staple that will provide years of service. Again, remember to look out for separates that will work with clothes you already own. Coats and jackets are possibly the most expensive items a woman will ever purchase, so look for straightforward versions without overfussed styling.


To get the best from the sales, it is always wise to put together a shopping list first. There is nothing worse than walking into a store and being overwhelmed by the seductive marked-down price tags. The sales are definitely not the time to buy on impulse. Everyone has a sales horror story and every wardrobe has a fashion mistake hiding at the back - Invariably a sales bargain which seemed like such a good idea.


Go for quality, not quantity. Better to walk away with just one worthwhile purchase), than to be weighed down with numerous bags stuffed with nothing much that you’ll never wear. By all means spend, but spend wisely.


Here’s my pick of the best sales around


A-WEAR: Grafton Street (01 671 7200) and stores nationwide. Sales now on, 50 per cent off.


ARNOTTS: Henry Street, Dublin 1 (01 805 0400). Up to 50 per cent off selected lines.


BENETTON: Stephens Green Centre and branches nationwide (01 478 0258). Sale now on, 30 per cent reductions.


BROWN THOMAS: Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway. Sale now on, up to 50 per cent off on selected lines in womenswear, menswear, lingerie and homeware.


BT2: Grafton Street, Dundrum and Blanchardstown. Sale now on, up to 50 per cent off.


CLERYS: O’Connell Street, Dublin 1 (01 878 6000). Sale now on, up to 50 per cent off.


DEBENHAMS: Henry Street, Dublin 1 (01 814 7200) and stores nationwide. Sale now on, up to 5 0 per cent off.


HARVEY NICHOLS: Dundrum Town Centre (01 291 0488). Sale now on, up to 50 percent off.


HOUSE OF FRASER: Dundrum Town Centre, (01 299 1400). Sale now on, reductions of up to 50 per cent.


KILDARE VILLAGE :Experience famous international and niche European brands at prices reduced by up to 60% every day, all year round, not to mention the tax free savings (up to 15%) available to non-EU residents. (00353 - 45 520501)

THE DESIGN CENTRE: Powerscourt Centre, Dublin 2 (01 679 5718). Sale now on, from 20 to 50 per cent off.


OFFICE: Dundrum Town Centre and branches nationwide, (01 296 3381). Sale now on, up to 50 per cent off.