We know that Black Friday – and any kind of clothes sale, really – tends to be associated with mindless spending, but if you participate in it with a pure heart it doesn’t have to be. To us, purehearted participation in sales shopping looks like finally purchasing something you’ve coveted for ages. It’s the reward you get for patience, safe in the knowledge that good things do indeed come to those who wait. Buying it immediately would have been rash, after all. How were you supposed to know whether the lust you felt would stand the test of time? But here it is all these months later – on SALE – and you feel exactly the same. It’s obviously meant to be, isn’t it? You ‘add to basket’ and the rest is history.
So, in the spirit of the above sentiment – and because lockdown is one of the most boring things we have ever experienced – let us talk you through our sale picks.
And yes, loved ones, this does double as a festive wishlist – not that we’re ones for heavy hints.
by Phoebe McDowell, Assistant Editor
PANCONESI Gold Solar Crystal Ring Set, £295 £260
Sometimes, usually after time spent scrolling Instagram, I will myself to become a ring person. I start to look, and am often flummoxed, but this I’m confident, is my gateway ring.
LOW CLASSIC Navy Classic Blazer, £505 £368
Blazer trends wax and wane, but this is an enduring silhouette, that errs on the side of interesting, in that its button fasten is off centre and high. Anything to subvert the predictable.
MAISON KITSUNÉ Tan Wool Small Fox Scarf, £130 £116
The majority of my wardrobe is camel or coffee coloured. Sounds a bit boring come to think of it, but it’s an easy and versatile palette, and who doesn’t need to blanket their neck in something cosy this winter? For all those bloody park walks, see.
CECILIE BAHNSEN White Mette Dress, £700 £609
I’ve long stared and salivated at these dresses. How perfectly voluminous they are. How forgiving they must be. How angelic I will look…. Ah, just take my money already.
BAO BAO ISSEY MIYAKE WHITE PRISM TOTE, £490 £337
A cult classic, I love my Bao Bao as much as the day I first got it… five years ago. It’s worn so well, fits everything in, and never fails to add jaunt to an outfit. I should invest in another, pronto.
MONDO MONDO GOLD OYSTER CLIP-ON EARRINGS, £280 £230
Earrings aren't normally my thing, but these by Mondo Mondo have piqued my interest.
by Emma Firth, Features Editor
COPERNI Asymmetric woven jacket, £850 £625
Wearing a sharp jacket has a 90% success rate of increasing my productivity. So, naturally, they are worth the investment. This asymmetric style is very 1980s Working Girl. AKA, the only professional mood I want to cultivate in 2021.
STAUD Bell printed woven mini dress, £190 £133
Snow-drenched streets in Toronto. Sunny cycle rides in LA. A weekend in Paris. Like most people, I am travelling via my archive camera roll. This dress is an escapist wardrobe addition in these homebound days.
MOLLY GODDARD Como ruffled cotton midi dress, £1,000 £500
This is my perfect dress. Romantic, red, voluminous. A statement piece, for sure. But not veering too much into Maid of Honour-y territory. It’s an old Hollywood kiss in sartorial form.
JOSEPH Joe cotton-poplin shirt, £225 £160
Yep, you’re probably sick of hearing another editor wax lyrical about waist-up dressing. But seriously. A good white shirt does not go amiss on a conference Zoom call. A loose fitted style is chic smart-casual personified.
ANN DEMEULEMEESTER Leather ankle boots, £700 £375
You can never go wrong with a classic pair of black ankle boots. Cost-per-wear they’re a winner and they go well with just about everything in your wardrobe. I love this square-toed style, to be worn for a (mud-free) Sunday stroll.
ALESSANDRA RICH Silver-tone, faux pearl and crystal necklace, £295 £208
Whether it's The Crown effect / a recent dive into Kamala Harris' style signatures, suddenly I find myself drawn to pearls. For the first time ever. Enter: this dream of a necklace.
by Aimee Mott, Digital Account Manager
MAX MARA Fibbia double-breasted wool blazer, £965 £772
This Max Mara blazer takes you from the office straight to the bar (whenever we're allowed to do that again), and who can resist a staple must-have on discount?
TOM FORD Logo-engraved leather belt, £850 £680
Well I obviously now need a belt to go with my Max Mara blazer... duh!
CHLOÉ Darryl medium shearling and leather shoulder bag, £1,610 £1,288
I don’t know about you but this Chloé shoulder bag brings me so much joy. If I'm doing any bit of retail therapy this will be making an appearance in my basket.
GIANVITO ROSSI Martis 20 leather combat boots, £825 £660
Christmas has come early with these gorgeous Gianvito Rossi combat boots.. need... want... now!
NANUSHKA Vinni straight-leg high-rise faux-leather trousers, £325 £260
Given the amount of outfits I have already made with these leather trousers, I can’t go back on buying them now.
VARLEY Luna abstract-print high-rise stretch-jersey leggings, £86 £68.80
The only motivation I need to work out is new gym clothes. The bolder the print, the better.
by Sophie Pater, Social Media Manager
Ganni Printed Mesh Turtleneck Top, £95 £66.50
A much funner layer than a boring vest or tee, I’m planning to wear this peeking out under a chunky knit or even a simple sweatshirt.
3.1 Phillip Lim Tapered Leg Track Trousers, £400 £240
Trousers! That aren’t sweatpants! That’s it!
Isabel Marant Brent Cashmere Rib Sweater, £630 £378
When the words ‘butter-soft cashmere’ are in the product description, there’s not much convincing needed.
Stine Goya Asher Ruched Velvet Dress, £210 £147
I’m not usually one for anything too form-fitting, but there’s something about the way that Stine Goya cuts a dress that I feel totally at ease. I’ll be optimistically buying this in case we ever get to go to a wedding again.
Marni Trunk Mini Leather Shoulder Bag, £1,150 £920
A Marni trunk bag in some form has been on my wishlist forever - just ask my long-suffering husband whom I beg at every gift-giving occasion. I’m just going to leave my laptop open on this page…
Liberty Alicia Tana Lawn Cotton Pyjamas Set, £245 £171.50
I don’t know about the science behind it, but I always get a better night’s sleep when I’m wearing matching pyjamas. And who better to provide a set in an absolutely chef’s kiss print than Liberty themselves?
by Heather Gwyther, Contributor
Ann Demeulemeester leather tote bag, £796 £597
Anything black and leather is a wise investment in my opinion.
Rejina Pyo Ola one shoulder asymmetric dress, £750 £450
Emma Corrin was meant to wear this Rejina Pyo dress on the promotional tour of The Crown! I guess I'll have to wear it instead!
Nicole Saldaña Paula clog sandals, £360 £252
I have no idea if I'll ever go on holiday again, but I'll be tottering around in these if I do.
HERNO PADDED MID-LENGTH COAT, £730 £693
Can you tell that comfort and the colour lilac are two of my favourite things?
R13 KELLY WIDE LEG JEANS, £516 £284
The search for the perfect pair of jeans may reach its finale with these.
GAUGE81 DURHAM CROPPED JUMPER, £380 £228
Despite being 30 next year, I occasionally take it upon myself to wear things that are cropped – and I regret nothing! Especially when they're as joyful as this jumper.