Fashion and celeb

Celebrity high street destination of the year
Where did the stars go for a cheap high street fix? Beyonce, Anne Hathaway and Lindsay Lohan were among those spotted at TopShop - or even wearing it on the red carpet - in 2008.

Surprise bargainista of the year
Who could have predicted American Vogue editor Anna Wintour would be spotted in the same outfit three times in two weeks?

Accessory of the year
It bag? Statement shoes? No - let’s hear it for the humble beret. It turned Lucinda from The Apprentice into a national treasure; while Sarah Brown’s New Look beret was her £7 ticket to the fashion world’s approval.

Word of the year
The International Herald Tribune prefers “frugalista” to “recessionista”, but we’re going with Grazia’s “voucher vulture”.

Lifetime achievement award
The Queen’s tweeds and headscarves might have inspired Dolce & Gabbana this season, but it’s her penchant for thrift and willingness to be seen in the same outfit twice - she recently dug out some old favourites for a trip to Slovenia - that made her truly in tune with the times.

We love Diesel. We know that koodos customers love Diesel. It is a favourite brand for mens, womens, and kids. We met with the people from Diesel in Italy and had an opportunity to offer Diesel at some really crazy prices. We couldn’t resist, more than 100 styles of Diesel at some eye-catching prices–no really, crazy prices. Tops from £5, shorts and trousers at £10, even jeans at £20 and £25. We put them all together for a limited time. Because the prices are so low, we are limiting each customer to 20 items. Get in there quick because the Diesel deal will not last.

Be the first to get your hands on some bargains with this list of start dates for the big traditional clearance sales.

Already on:

Boden, Faith Shoes, H&M, Hobbs, Karen Millen

FUTURE SALE DATES

19th December

Dorothy Perkins

22nd December

KOODOS

24th December

Christmas Eve, pick up a few last-minute bargain gifts at:

Topshop and Topman, Selfridges

25th December

Ted Baker online

26th December

Tip: Sale assistants will mark down Sale items on Christmas Eve, so snatch some final presents at give away prices by arriving after 3pm on Christmas Eve in the following stores:

Debenhams, Joseph, Harvey Nichols, Monsoon, Next, River Island, Ted Baker, Zara

27th December

John Lewis, Bravissmo, Harrods

Five things to snap up in the sales

1. Brights: Forget everything you’ve heard about about sticking to neutrals - hot pink, orange and yellow were all in evidence on the spring/summer 09 catwalks.
2. Jumpsuits: This autumn/winter trend has taken off for next season. As seen at Prada, Stella McCartney and Marc by Marc Jacobs, it’s a smart sale buy.
3. Asymmetry: One-shoulder dresses (as pictured on Mischa Barton, above) are de rigeur this party season, and it’s a look that will continue into 2009.
4. Heels: Our love affair with killer heels won’t be cooling any time soon. If they’re metallic, so much the better.
5. Pearls: Next season’s key detail, as seen at Luella, Giambattista Valli and Lanvin among others. If you find some pearls in the sales this season, don’t think twice before snapping them up.

And five to leave on the sale rail

1. Leather trousers: It’s all about suede next summer.
2. Tartan: The first of autumn’s big trends to emerge is always the first one for the bargain bin.
3. Feathers: Even Madonna couldn’t make her feathered frock work.
4. Forties blouses and Fifties frocks: It’s the Twenties, Seventies and Eighties providing the vintage inspiration next spring.
5. Itchy knitwear: Even at 70 per cent off, you know you’ll never wear it.

image: Getty/Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai

If you have an item in the back of your drawer you’ve never worn, chances are you bought it in a sale. Why is it that we so often go out to save money and actually end up wasting it by buying something we wouldn’t normally just because it’s reduced?

Follow our five Bargainista warning signs and you should avoid most dodgy purchases.

1 It’s too small.

If it doesn’t fit properly don’t buy it. Be especially careful with items you think will stretch – sure jeans will give a little but not so much that if your flesh is bulging over the top this will disappear. The flip side of this, but probably much rarer, is don’t buy something that’s too big and needs substantial alterations. In other words, if an item isn’t flattering put it back on the rail.

2 It’s uncomfortable.

This may be because it’s too small, but alternatively it could be the cut, eg a pair of trousers fit on the hips but pinch on the waist or shoes with straps that rub. Or maybe the fabric is scratchy.

3 It’s expensive to clean.

Tot up those cleaning bills before buying something that’s dry clean only – it could cost you £3 or £4 a time and double the price of the garment over its lifetime.

4 It’s faulty or soiled.

A loose button or hem is a simple job to rectify, a rip not so easily dealt with. Likewise are you confident that stain can be removed?

5 It doesn’t blend in with anything else in your wardrobe.

If you can’t think of anything in your wardrobe to match with a socalled bargain then it isn’t one. Either you are going to have to make a load of other purchases to create an outfit or, more likely, the reason it doesn’t fit with your stuff is because it’s not your style.

Finally, if it passes all these tests and you’re still undecided, ask yourself… If you could afford to pay full price for it, would you still buy it?v Or given a bigger budget would you opt for something else.