sale shopping Archives - Kate Waterhouse

What I’ll be shopping for at the after Christmas sales

19th December, 2023

After the festive season comes the time of year that most avid shoppers count down to: the after Christmas sales. If you’re prepared, you’re almost always guaranteed to find something worth snapping up at a discounted price. The key to winning at sale shopping however isn’t just to look at the tag and buy anything that’s been drastically reduced, it’s to choose strategically. Otherwise it’s likely you’ll end up with less of a bargain but something that will just gather dust in your closet. Which is where my Boxing Day sale tips come in handy.

It’s always worth going in with a game plan, and that means delving into your closet(s) and seeing what gaps you need to fill and what needs replacing. Whether it’s your work wardrobe or your linen drawers, it’s worth pinpointing what you need so you don’t waste time or money looking for things that may end up not getting used at all. While sale prices are great, it’s also worth doing it in a way that won’t be adding unnecessary clutter into your home. And at this time of year, there are certain things that you should definitely snap up.

Here are some things I always wait till sale time to purchase…

Splurge on your big ticket items

If you’ve been wanting to buy some investment pieces now may be the perfect time to snap them up. Shop around to see if the big ticket items you’ve had your eye on have been reduced as you may save yourself quite a bit. Designer bags or shoes are often discounted at the sales so keep an eye out for some gorgeous pieces. Sunglasses are also things I like to buy on sale as there are some great bargains to be found.

Grab your basics

Throughout the year I’ll often need basics such as t-shirts, jeans and underwear and to avoid spending a fortune on restocking my wardrobe, I find sale time is the ideal time to buy them. Also buying staples on sale could mean you’ll be able to buy reduced top quality pieces that are likely to last longer.

Buy key wardrobe pieces

I always have a few things that are on heavy rotation throughout the year, and that includes things like jeans, blazers, and shirts, so I will often wait till sale time to update them. As they’re pieces that I wear constantly throughout the year, the cost per wear is great at sale time, because not only am I paying a discounted price, but I’m going to get plenty of wear from what I buy.

It’s a great time to buy occasion wear

Look for occasion wear

If you’ve got a big event on the horizon such as a wedding or milestone birthday, the Boxing Day sales is a great time to buy your outfit for that occasion. If you spend a bit of time shopping around, you’ll often be able to find some great occasion wear (often by designer brands) at a fraction of the cost you’d be paying throughout the year.

Stock up on linens and towels

If there’s one thing I make sure to do, it’s only ever buy bedding and towels when they’re on sale. I always wait till the end of the year and check out what’s been reduced and nab them then. It’s a great opportunity to restock my linen cupboard as I’ll often end up with some luxe pieces for a fraction of the price.

Snap up kids clothing

The girls outgrow pieces fairly regularly so it’s also an opportune time to buy some new things for their wardrobe. Things like pyjamas and basics, along with special pieces are often on sale so I’ll be able to buy a few garments that will last them throughout the year.

What have you got your eye on at the after Christmas sales?

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My top Black Friday sale picks (including pieces I have in my wardrobe)

24th November, 2023

PSA: this outfit is now on sale!

If you’re starting to feel a little overwhelmed with all the Black Friday sales then you’re not alone. My inbox/Insta/phone keeps blowing up with sale offers and it’s getting a little crazy trying to keep track of them all. The thing with a huge retail event like this is that it feels like everyone’s on sale and there’s a sense of urgency that you have to snap up everything or miss out. But, take a deep breath because remember buying something on sale that you won’t end up wearing isn’t really a bargain, it’s just a waste of money.

To make better purchases, I tend to check out my favourite brands first and foremost on Black Friday as I know that I like their style, and there’s probably already pieces that I have my eye on and if I’m lucky, they’ll be reduced! (I’ve also seen some pieces I already have that are now on sale, so if you liked anything from any of my outfit posts throughout the year, now is the time to look.)

In the interests of doing some retail reconnaissance I checked out a few of my go-to brands for some summer buys, and rounded up a few great pieces from each label that I think are definitely worth the spend. Remember, if you’re looking for an outfit for an event (hello, Christmas and New Year’s Eve!), to spruce up your work wardrobe for next year or simply to fill a gap in your outfit rotation, now is the time to do some searching because you may just find some great pieces at a fraction of the price. Happy shopping!

Viktoria and Woods

Aje

Sir

Acler

Rebecca Vallance

Fashion

How to shop the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales and come away with a great bargain

20th November, 2023

Black Fridays sales are a traditional American retail event that has made its way to Australia, along with its online counterpart Cyber Monday. Whilst not all shops will do in-store sales in Australia, you will be able to nab plenty of bargains online both here and overseas. There will be flash sales that run for a small amount of time whilst other retailers may offer big discounts over a day or a few days to its customers. This is the ideal time to nab Christmas presents, a new outfit for New Year’s Eve or just something that you’ve had your eye on for ages. However to grab yourself a true bargain, it pays to be savvy and employ a strategy so you don’t come away with an impulse purchase that you’ll never use.

Here are a few of my tips for scoring yourself some great buys and learn how to shop Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales like a shopping whiz.

Visit your fave retailers in the lead up to both days

There are some stores that will offer discounts well before Black Friday and Cyber Monday so it pays to check them out to see what’s on offer. You may be able to grab something early and beat the rush but still pay a significantly discounted price. To make this easier bookmark all of your regular shopping haunts so you can efficiently visit them in the lead up to the big sale days.

Sign up to your favourite retailers’ newsletters and social media feeds

If you haven’t already be sure to sign up for the newsletter of your favourite stores. This is often where you’ll find out about what’s on offer, with some giving loyal customers a sneak peek before everything kicks off.

Also follow your go-to brands on social media via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Most stores will often use these channels advertise their sales and you don’t want to miss out on a potential bargain.

Map out your target buys

Have a checklist of what you want to buy well ahead of time. This will help you hone in on what it is that you really need and want as opposed to buying something that you’ve just spotted but may not necessarily find much use for. Also you can check ahead of time which stockists offer what it is you’re after so you know exactly where to go when sale time starts.

Shop around

If there’s a particular item that you have in mind then check out a few different stores to see how much they are selling it for. This will allow you to find it at the best price. Often one retailer may offer it at the lowest price but on Black Friday and Cyber Monday other retailers may be offering huge discounts which will allow you to snap it up at a fraction of the cost.

Try on what you can in person

If you’ve got your heart set on a few things make the effort to try them on in person so you know exactly the size you’re looking for. This is especially important for buying online where you may have to act quickly and you don’t want to miss out because you’re still umming and aaahing about what size you should get.

Shop consciously

As with all sales my golden rule is not to get swept up in the excitement of it all and try to stick to a shopping list. Whilst something might be cheap at the start, it’s really not if I find I’ll hardly use it and it just ends up gathering dust in my closet. That said, it’s definitely a great time to snap up some good buys and take advantage of all the deals on offer. May the shopping gods be ever in your favour!

Tell me—what’s the best bargain you’ve ever got from sale shopping?

Fashion, Shop

The best Afterpay Day sale offers

18th August, 2023

It’s Afterpay Day sale time! If you’ve had your eye on something, whether it’s a new season piece for autumn, an outfit for a special occasion or restocking a few beauty staples, now is the time to take advantage of the discounts on offer. To help you get started, I’ve done a quick round up of the best online offers available right now. Ready to add to cart?

Fashion

The Iconic – 30% off Afterpay Day

Asos – Up to 70% off, extra 15% off with Code Afterpayyay

White Fox – 30% of everything with Take30.

Decjuba – 20% off everything

Sheike – 30% off full price

Cue – 20% off almost everything

Veronika Maine – 20% off everything

Kookai – 20% off sitewide

Seed Heritage – 20% off store-wide

Meshki – 25% off Sitewide

Glassons – 20% off everything

Gorman – 20% off storewide

Princess Polly – 25% off sitewide. Use code: 25APD

VRG GRL – 30% off sitewide

Peppermayo – 30% off storewide

I AM GIA – 75% off everything

Petal & Pup – 25% off sitewide. Use code 25OFF

Tigerlily – 20% off all styles

Bonds – 40% off sitewide

Peter Alexander – 40% new arrivals and full price

Glue Store – Up to 50% off

Billy J – 30% off A/W collection

Universal Store – 30% off selected styles

Zulu & Zephyr – Shop up to 60% off sale

The Undone Store – 15% off sitewide. Use code: 15AFTERPAY

Designer retailers

Aje – 20% off The Edit

P.E Nation – 30% off

Blanca Shop – 30% off sitewide

Shona Joy – 30% off select edit

Rebecca Vallance – 30%* off on now

Camilla – Take a further 20%* off all sale

Rachel Gilbert – Extra 10% off sale with code: SALE10

One Mile – 20% off

Sass & Bide – 20% off selected styles

The New Trend 20% off selected styles + additional 20% off sale

Tuchuzy – Spend $200, save $30. Spend $400, save $100. Spend $600, save $160

Pfeiffer – 25% off the edit

GlamCorner – 25% off storewide for one time rentals. 60% off sitewide for preloved

Mossman – 25% off selected styles. Enter code: Afterpay25

The Dom – Extra 15% off sitewide. Use code: 15foryou

Ginger & Smart – 30% off selected styles + take a further 30% off sale

Ena Pelly – Up to 50% off selected products

Marimekko – 30% off storewide

Eliya the Label – 20% off storewide. Use code Save20.

Dion Lee – 20% off sitewide*. Use code DL20.

Faithfull the Brand – 25% off sitewide + extra 25% off sale

Manning Cartell – Up to 80% off online warehouse sale

Coco & Lola – 20%* off selected styles

Fashion Bunker – 20% off sitewide

Perlu – 25% off instore and online site wide *excluding accessories and selected new arrivals

Leo Lin – 20% off Winter edit

Ngali – 30% Saving for orders of $100+. Enter Code: MKTG_AP30

Shoes and accessories

Sol Sana – 25% off. Use code AFTER25

Steve Madden – 30% off just dropped. Use code: ADDTOCART

Tony Bianco – 30% off selected styles

Novo Shoes – 25% off full price

Wittner – 20% off storewide

New Balance – Up to 30% off the Everyday Edit

Hype DC – Up 30% selected new styles

Platypus Shoes – Up to 50% selected styles

Vans – 25% off selected style

Nine West – Take 20% off storewide

Billini – 20% off full price heels

Adidas – 30% off full price

Ugg Express – 15% off storewide with code AFTERPAYDAY15%

Furla – Get 15% off when you buy 2 items. Exclusions apply.

Kirstin Ash – 20% off sitewide

Bevilles – $50 off $500

Thomas Sabo – 25% off sitewide

Sunglass Hut – 20% off sunglasses*

Ray Ban – 20% off

Bailey Nelson 20% off non-prescription sunglasses. Use code: AFTERPAY20

Kate Spade – 20% off select styles

Reliquia Collective: 30% off sitewide. Use code: AP30

Shiels – Extra 10% off Storewide*

Fossil – 30% off sitewide. Use code: APD30

Colette – $40 off when you spend $120 with code TAKE40

The Daily Edited – 40% off select TDE styles.

Beauty, Health and Wellness

Adore Beauty – Up to 40% off select brands

ELF Cosmetics – 40% off sitewide

Victoria’s Secret Beauty – Further 15% off

Sephora – Beauty Pass exclusive, save 20% off with a minimum spend of $120. Use code AFTERPAY

Go-To Skincare – Free full size The Repair Shop face mask with Go-To orders over $59. Use code: AFTERYAY

Esmi Skin Minerals – 30% off Sitewide with code: AFTERPAY20

Glo Skin Body – 25% off Dermalogica; 20% off other brands

Napoleon Perdis – 20% off sitewide

AMR Hair & Beauty – 20% off sitewide. Use code: Afterpay20

Bath and Body Works – 10% off your entire purchase

JS Health – 20% off sitewide. Code AFTERPAYDAY

Wild Secrets – Up to 70% off toys and lingerie

Eleffect – 30% off sitewide. Use Code: AFTER30

Hismile – Up to 50% off storewide. Use code: Smile

SkinCeuticals – Spend $200 and receive an anti-ageing gift

GHD – Up to 20% off award winning ghd styling tools

Tropeaka – Up to 30% off sitewide

Life Botanics – 15% off sitewide

The Beauty Chef – Up to 30% off sitewide

Oz Hair & Beauty – Up to 30% off selected brands. Prices as marked.

Priceline – Save Up To 50% Off Selected Blackmores Vitamins Range and 50% Off Olay Skincare Range

Look Fantastic – Save up to 40%

RY – Save up to 40%

Cosmetic Capital – Up to 80% off select products

Hairhouse – 10% off styling tools

Kiehls – Buy two, get one free. Add three formulas to cart and receive the lowest priced free

MAC Cosmetics – 20% Off sitewide! Available online and in MAC Freestanding Stores only.

Giorgio Armani Beauty – 20% off sitewide. Giorgio Armani Members unlock access. Excludes Armani Prive and Crema Nera.

Lovehoney – Up to 50% Off Toys, Lingerie & More

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Cyber Monday picks from my favourite brands

28th November, 2022

How did you fare during the Black Friday sales? I hope you snapped up some great buys! Now it’s Cyber Monday and that means the discounts continue but this time, they’re all about online deals. I tend to do most of my shopping online so this is a great day for me to not only nab some bargains for my wardrobe, but also stock up for Christmas.

I tend to use this day quite strategically and will head to my fave brands to see if anything I’ve had my eye on has been marked down. I generally always have a list of things in my mind so I know exactly what I’m looking for. Sale time is definitely the time to have a game plan as often the offers are limited so you want to know exactly what you want ahead of time.

My go-to brands tend to remain the same, so I always make sure I scope out their sites prior to sale day so I can see what’s available online. I know there are always pieces that I may only find in store so I like to know ahead of time what the offering is on their website. In doing all this research, I’ve come across some great wardrobe buys from my fave brands, and even better, they’re all marked down today. Happy Cyber Monday shopping!

Camilla and Marc

Whether it’s a great dress or a sharp tailored look, Camilla and Marc have never let me down with their offering. I love their range and am always guaranteed to find something to fall in love with.

Viktoria and Woods

I can’t tell you the number of Viktoria and Woods pieces I have that I wear on repeat. Definitely check them out for some elevated basics and fun on trend style updates.

Rebecca Vallance

Events on the horizon? You can’t go past Rebecca Vallance. The extensive range of dresses and event wear is what you want to head to if you’ve got a special occasion in your calendar and want to rock something special.

Aje

I’ve been a huge fan of Aje for ages, and their new season collection is all kinds of fun. Come for the puff sleeved dresses, but don’t forget about their great range of tops, pants and skirts. Oh and their shoes are fab.

Fashion, Shop

What I look for when shopping during sale time

14th June, 2021

End of financial year sale time is here and it’s the perfect time to nab a bargain. However it’s easy to get caught up in a flurry of sales tags with reduced prices and discounts aplenty that you may end up with something that’s not entirely a worthwhile buy. I love shopping the sales and have perfected my game plan so I always end up with pieces I know I’m definitely going to use. Here’s what I do:

Buy wardrobe staples

During sale time I’m a big fan of buying pieces I will use a lot such as t-shirts and jeans. It’s the perfect time to stock up given everything is reduced. I always make sure to do a wardrobe check to see what items need replacing or updating.

Avoid statement pieces

I usually tend to avoid buying things that are easily identifiable from a particular season. There’s always a particular print/colour/silhouette that is a designer’s signature item for each collection and I will steer clear of this to ensure that there will be longevity in what I buy.

Invest in expensive items

A few years ago I bought a Balmain blazer on sale from Net-a-Porter and it’s still going strong to this day. I remember searching for ages for it and once it went on sale I snapped it up. I find that when it’s sale time it’s the perfect opportunity to buy more expensive investment pieces such as a blazer, leather jacket, a coat or bag as you’re guaranteed to get plenty of use out of these items and you’ll be able to buy it at a fraction of the price.

Do the full price test

It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of getting a bargain but just because something is cheap it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a good purchase. I always make sure that I look at anything on sale and ask myself if I would buy it full price. If I would that’s usually a good indicator that it’s a good buy, if not then it tells me that I’m just getting caught up in the idea of buying something because it has been reduced.

What’s are you on the hunt for during sale time?

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What to buy from the Shopbop sale

16th April, 2021

One of my favourite sales of the year is when Shopbop does it’s spend and save! It’s a site that stocks so many of my favourite designers like Staud, Cult Gaia and Aje that I always try and take advantage of it when it comes around as I can pick up so many beautiful piece at a fraction of the price. I highly recommend it if you’ve had your eye on a designer piece for awhile or you simply need to refresh your wardrobe or stock up on basics. It’s worth the effort as you can stretch your fashion dollars further. And if you’re going to splurge, it’s definitely worth doing during a Shopbop sale.

I’ve been trawling the site over the last few days trying to pinpoint pieces worth snapping up. And I’ve built up quite the list! The sale ends tomorrow but it’s definitely not too late to pick up a bargain. And the more you shop, the bigger the discount so it might be worth strategically picking up some things that you’ll need throughout the year, whether it’s an event dress or updating your work outfit repertoire. Grab a glass of wine, and spend the evening perusing what’s on offer—there’s definitely plenty of things worth adding to your wardrobe.

I love Aje’s blouses for the fact they always have beautiful finishing touches. This blouse is great for the puffed sleeves and the pretty yet subtle button detail. I could see this working with so many things from denim to skirts and shorts.

The cute swallow print on this shirt will dress up any outfit. I love the oversized pointed collar and the puffed sleeves, too. It’s definitely the kind of shirt that can also be dressed up or down making it extremely versatile.

Minimalist shoe silhouettes are very much still on trend. These shoes are well worth investing in as they can be paired back with a variety of different outfits, dressy or casual, and the low heel makes them comfy too. Plus if you’ve not yet discovered the versatility of white shoes, you definitely have to jump on the bandwagon.

With winter just around the corner it’s not too early to snap up some beautiful knits. The off the shoulder neckline on this makes it the ideal thing to dress up a pair of jeans, and the neutral colour means it’s easily worked back with almost every hue you may have in your closet.

Looking for a statement look? Look no further than this dress. The black and white colour palette and the tiered ruffled skirt, along with the dramatic sleeves make it just the thing to wear to an event, whether it’s a wedding or just a special night out.

How gorgeous is this clutch? The beaded trim adds a playful touch, while the snakeskin is bold and dramatic. I like the balance it strikes and it’s the kind of talking piece that can really elevate a look.

I particularly like the blue hue of these heels, it’s such a fun colour and would make a great accent piece to a more pared back ensemble.

Sometimes, some things are just worth snapping up simply because you know they’re the kind of thing that is just going to instantly make a statement. This dress, with the cut-out detail and forest green hue is a great piece to brighten up your outfit rotation.

It’s never too late to stock up on looks for the rest of the year. This silhouettes is a great summer dress option as it’s easily elevated with a pair of dramatic heels, or dressed down with a beautiful pair of slides.

I was stopped mid-scroll when I saw these shoes. I mean, how could you resist that heel? It’s all kinds of pretty and so playful too. The pastel hues are perfect for spring/summer and I like the transparent strap for a modern touch.

Mini-sized ladylike bags are kind of always on my shopping list these days. They’re just so hard not to want to snap up. This bag is such a great alternative to a clutch. It’s super polished and has a classic feel that means it won’t date.

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Come sale shopping with me and learn my strategy when it comes to snapping up a bargain

30th May, 2020

I’m a big fan of buying designer and also supporting Aussie labels, for the design but also the quality. The trade off however is that they often have price tags to match. So how do I reconcile this? I do my research on pieces I want to buy, and then snap them up during sale time,

I went to the recent Aje sale with stylist Jess Pecoraro (see video above) and thought it was a great opportunity to show you how I shop sales. Jess and I not only share our fave sale picks from the brand, but also our top tips when it comes to buying things on sale.

Some of the key things to remember are:

Snap up basics and statement pieces

It sounds like a contradiction, but sale time is the perfect opportunity to snap up quality basics and also statement pieces. The former because you definitely need to be well stocked in that department, and why not just buy them when they’re a fraction of the price? The latter, because special pieces are great to dot through our wardrobe to help elevate outfits, but key statement pieces like dresses and jackets are often quite expensive so it’s a great idea to wait until they’ve been discounted.

Focus on the building blocks of your wardrobe

I always hone in on the key building blocks of most of my looks during sale time, so I know that what I’m buying will work through the rest of my wardrobe. Some things I always try to get at sale time are: coats, jackets, blazers, denim, shirts and everyday tops.

White shirts are always a winner

One failsafe buy, and also something a wardrobe can never have enough of is a white shirt. They’re a forever style staple, and are a great item to pick up at a sale.

Search for separates

Look for great separates such as skirts and pants during sale time. They’re the perfect mix and match piece and you are able to get multiple looks out of your one purchase.

Pick up pieces you’ve had your eye on

While I was at the Aje sale, I spied that they had this beautiful ballerina inspired dress discounted, and it was one of my favourite pieces from Aje’s collection. I went back and forth about buying it when it was full price, but when I saw it was on sale I had to snap it up. If you ever find a statement piece but it’s out of your budget then you can often pick up at sale time.

Black and white is always a winner

If you’re worried about buying pieces that will quickly date, opt for black and white pieces. Monochrome will always be a classic.

Look for versatility

Trenches and coats are always great to pick up at sale time. A trench in particular is also versatile and can be worn as a dress

Denim is always a good idea

Denim is also something to try and pick up at a sale. As it’s an every day piece so you’ll get a long way with your cost per wear.

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13 things worth buying from the Net-a-Porter sale

19th December, 2017

Christmas is just around the corner so it’s understandable you may be quite busy shopping up a storm in preparation for December 25th but it would be remiss of me not to point out that Net-a-Porter is having a crazy good sale right now. We’re talking up to 50 per cent off a looong roll call of designer brands including Chloe, Valentino, Gucci and more. So, now may be the perfect time to take a break from the frantic rush of looking for gifts for the fam (just for a little bit anyway) and find something to reward yourself for your efforts. Or you may very well find something unbelievable to gift to someone special in your life. In any case it’s well worth a look as you could find something that you’ve been eyeing drastically marked down or just stumble upon something you never knew you always wanted. If you don’t have time to scroll through everything here are a few things definitely worth adding to cart.