Friday 18th June 2010

Yes! The Sales!  Earlier and earlier. At Christmas they say, ‘We hear once again the message of the angels…’ But that’s only once a year. Twice a year we see once again the sale signs and pour forth.

On Wednesday I covered Harvey Nicks and The Library – top frock shops. Harrods is tomorrow at 9 a.m. I shall be beating at the door.

Remember my sale-time pearls:

• Target and focus: review your wardrobe. What is missing? In my case, I need another summer suit, good summer slacks which are not jeans and a black summer shirt, fitted, perhaps in a light jersey fabric – I’m inspired and seething after seeing such a piece by Paolo Pecora on one of the kitchens at The Library. But it was last season so I can’t have it!  I mean that particular one which I would skin off him if I could, except it’s a doll’s size.
• Do not despair in these agonising times of no credit. Just a few new pieces will lift and revive your entire wardrobe
• Remember: the true path is: all shops must be visited. You should have completed your pre-Sales recce in the last three weeks. You probably haven’t. But there is still time. Do not panic. If a piece is meant for you it will wait. Try on, consider, but don’t buy until you have bathed in the entire stock of all the shops in London – or foreign or US if you’re there
• Procedure when actually in the shop: work quickly. Learn to assess size and suitability of garments on the hanger. Be selective about what to try on, but do try on and try on. Often the piece will only blossom for you once on
• Assess the stock. If there are heaps and heaps of the same item, the price will probably come down later on in the sale. Wait and pounce

HOT TIPS FOR JUNE 2010 SALES:

• H Nicks – abundance of Dries van Noten shirts, blue stripy with brown collar. Good. Price will surely come down
• The Library – masses of Paulo Pecora. Summer shirts. Lots of pink. Good shirt and jumper designer, interesting detail, good price pre-sale. Now only 30 per cent off. Not enough. Wait.

Poor Little Rich Gays here and throughout the world – may every blessing pour down upon you at sale time