When is a discount not a deal? When you’ve purchased something you’ll never, ever wear (not in a million years!) and it hangs, gathering dust in the back of a closet. I’m sure many of us have clothes with the tags on cluttering our closet. We’ve all done it- bought something on sale and then either never wore it or had to buy an entire outfit to go with that sale item. I recall buying an off-white brocade skirt with a designer label only to find that there are a million shades of off-white, and I needed everything to go with it!  What a costly mistake!  As post-Christmas sales are here with tempting reductions, the mistake of impulse shopping is even easier to make! Clothing and accessories deals tend to dominate sales after Christmas, which encompasses about 55% of last year’s post-holiday deals. Even better, these sales often matched Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales — if not outright beating them.

This season I want to make it easier for you to navigate the cut-price craziness and make some successful wardrobe additions with some shopping tips.

First, really know your wardrobe. This can be accomplished by conquering the closet chaos. I recommend eliminating all the pieces that still have the tags dangling that you’ll never wear and everything you haven’t worn in the past year. Next, try on every piece and determine its condition, fit, and how it actually looks on your body from the front and rear views. Ask yourself if you would buy it again, and if it’s still useful. If the answer is yes, keep it! Sort everything that doesn’t make the cut into separate piles to either toss, donate or sell. Finally, take note of your actual wardrobe and access the gaps, listing the needed articles of clothing that are missing. Now, it’s time to strategically shop for those necessary garments with your list in hand. If this process seems overwhelming, I’m an expert in the closet audit, organization, and assessment.  I love helping my clients save time and money by strategically shopping the sales!

Second, shop the department stores.  During the latter half of January and on Martin Luther King Day, retailers are eager to unload their stock of winter coats, boots, sweaters, and scarves.  If you could still use a puffy jacket or a cashmere sweater, now’s the time to get it. It is also the perfect time to replace your tattered winter coat for 50 percent off or more. Also, department stores tend to offer coupons making your savings even greater!

Lastly, before you try on various pieces check to see if they are actually on your list. Is it a smart addition to your wardrobe? Is it a timeless piece or a trend that will be gone in one season? Does it fit correctly and will it blend with the rest of your wardrobe? If all the answers are yes, then go ahead and buy it.  Pat yourself on the back; you are now a savvy sales shopper enjoying the after Christmas deals!