Fashion off-duty

This could well be a manual for ‘How to ace a sale.' After all that mighty four letter word can lure even the staunchest couch potato to the doors of a swanky store in the hope of buying a dress or a shirt for half the price.

What: Brocade dress
Where: Debenhams, Phoenix Marketcity, Kurla
Was: Rs 8,995
Now: Rs 4,497
Save: 50%

But half the battle in a sale is not just how much you pay, but what you pay it for. Imagine grabbing that last piece of a top or a shoe only to discover the version 2.0 is arriving at the store next month. Shop wisely instead we say.

What: Mini skirt
Where: Vero Moda, Linking Road and Fort
Was: Rs 1,695
Now: Rs 1,186
Save: 30%u00a0

So if it's pouring outside as it is now, don't even look for raingear. Invest instead in a summer dress, a woolen coat, or a mini when no one else is looking that way.

What: Crop blazer
Where: Only, Bandra, Palladium Mall, Lower Parel and Fort
was: Rs 2,295
Now: Rs 2,065
Save: 10%

Take the case of Jeena Sharma, a freelance fashion writer. Sharma often grabs the sale season by the scruff of the neck and grabs all that she can in the off-season clothes racks.

What: Maxi Dress
Where: FCUK, Bandra and Vama, Kemps corner
Was: Rs 12,999
Now: Rs 10,400
Save: 20%u00a0

"I love picking up winter-wear during summer. A nice blazer or even a leather skirt at half the price is always a steal. Trends keep coming back, so I look at every buy as an investment. Sometimes, I might be travelling to a city or a country with a different climate and sale season helps me stock up on my travel essentials," she says.

What: Sequin shrug
Where: Avirate,Phoenix Marketcity, Kurla and Palladium
Was: Rs 1,990
Now: Rs 985
Save: 50%

And yes, it's plain silly to ignore a good dress or a blazer because it's-so-last-season-darling! Clothes should last more than a year. Off -season shopping is the smart way to go.

What: Pullover jacket
Where: Superdry, Phoenix Marketcity, Kurla and Palladium Lower Parel
Was: Rs 9,990
Now: Rs 7,992
Save: 20%u00a0

It doesn't burn a hole in your pocket but probably makes a few friends burn with envy when you sport that cool new look in winter. Suede shoes, leather jackets, thermal warmers and even a tweed blazer that cannot be worn now, all come under the ‘off-season picks.'

What: Knit sweater
Where: Jack & Jones, Linking road and Fort
Was: Rs 3,495
Now: Rs 1,750
Save: 50%u00a0

But such sales are tempting and one has to choose between what one needs and what just looks very alluring.

What: White trousers
Where: Calvin Klein Jeans, Bandra and High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel
Was: Rs 5,999
Now: Rs 4,799
Save: 15%

Explains fashion designer and stylist Rajat Tangri, "While on an off-season shopping spree, make sure you make a list of what you really want instead of hoarding things on impulse, only because the price is low. Always opt for basic styles and neutral designs as they are likely to remain in vogue."

What: CK Travel bag
Where: Calvin Klein Jeans, Bandra and High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel
Was: Rs 12,999
Now: Rs 9,099
Save: 30%

There! Now that the cat is out of the bag, go on, splurge on the best off- season clothes. Your wardrobe will thank you later!

What: Suede shoes
Where: Jack &Jones, Linking Road and Fort
Was: Rs 5,995
Now: Rs 4,197
Save: 30%

Tips to shop for off season sale shopping
>> Sales lure, make a list of the clothes that you really want for a specific occasion or even for travel in the future. This will not only make your shopping experience easy but also save time.
>> Look out for clothes that will never go out of style. For example- An oversized blazer or a classic black and white dress.
>> Have a budget, this can save you from overspendingu00a0