Fashion: Best picks of the sales

Poppy Delevingne wears Donatella dress, was £79, now £59, at Monsoon.

bank balance warning: The summer sales are happening right now, so do try to keep a cool head – there are many excellent bargains to be had out there. Far too many, perhaps.

Truth be known, it’s do as I say, not as I do, because I’ve gone a bit sales mad myself, shopping online this weekend. It’s far too easy to ‘Add to bag’, merrily browsing from page to page, putting outfits together (including adding non-sale items to go with the bargains). Before you know it, you’ve racked up quite an amount – far more than the £25 max you had intended to spend on a much-needed work skirt and top. Or is that just me.

Before setting out sales shopping, to real stores or online, it’s best to keep in mind what’s coming, trend-wise. There’s no point in buying something that is instantly going to look “so last season”, no matter how great a bargain it is.

Anita Barr, group buying director of Harvey Nichols, is well placed to know what to keep an eye out for.

“The ‘70s trend will continue into autumn/winter with collections becoming more glam, with a Studio 54 influence,” she says, adding that jumpsuits are good investment pieces so buy now ones that will translate into a slightly more dramatic look for next season.

“We also saw a Victoriana gothic trend coming through using lots of lace, which was especially strong at Alexander McQueen.”

The Harvey Nichols sale is now on with some excellent designer reductions, including a Victoria Beckham peplum dress, was £855, now £427.50; Givenchy clutch, was £245, now £171.50; Sophia Webster heels, were £340, now £170.

On the High Street, Next sales are legendary, with this season is no exception. What struck me was how much of the sales stock is autumn-ready – see the pink coat, now £23 – and there are also lots of lovely layer pieces (see shirt dresses and knitwear).

Over at Marks & Spencer, guess what? The It skirt, as in the brown suede 1970s style we’ve all been banging on about since forever, is now in sale (see right). With the ‘70s trend set to continue, it’s another must.