Another item which is set to hang around next season is the harem trouser, and if you haven’t already got a pair tucked safely away in your closet then these are a great steal from Oasis. Not only are they already reduced from £25 to £12 in the sale, at the moment you can also get an additional 20% when you buy online.

As seen this season, team for Spring/Summer with towering heels and tucked in blouses to keep the look smart and as far away from frumpy as you can get, when donning something so tricky as the harem pant.

Most people I’ve spoken to find the harem a bit of a challenge – some find them very unflattering in the thigh area and others can’t seem to stand the crotch area hanging out 6 inches lower than feels right.

However, I’ve also heard a lot of people say if you get a cut that works for you they can be really comfortable, flattering and I imagine, in the summer when all you want is floaty non-restricting clothing in the heat – these could be heavenly.

It might be freezing outside, but I am already dreaming of a hot summer and eyeing up various pieces I would like for my S/S 09 wardrobe. One item I particularly love is this pretty cami by Fendi.

Featuring an ultra feminine sheer panel on the back (sheer materials are set to be hot again next season) with a keyhole button detailing this is a really girly top and ticks all the right boxes trend-wise.

Prints are set to be really popular as well as pretty muted ‘make-up’ type hues. Style as Net-a-porter have done with rolled up city shorts and a blazer.

Made from 100% silk, you can pick this top up from Net-a-porter for £387.

If you invested in a piece of mannish oversized tailoring during A/W 08 then you’ll have plenty of reason to get more wear out of it this S/S 09 as this will remain hot on the list of top trends this summer.

Coined ‘the Helmut Lang effect’ this trend will be all about oversized blazers, pops of shocking bright colours such as electric blue and satin cerise and simple elegant designs inspired by the early 1990s.

All you need to complete the look is a pair of draped loose tailored trousers and a sheer vest to wear underneath. Look to Richard Nicoll and Stella McCartney for inspiration for styling these looks, and pick yourself up an oversized blazer such as this one which I love, and you can buy up from Urban Outfitters in the sale for £29.99 (down from £55, bargain!).

I have two tactics when it comes to the sales, my first is to pick up classic items that I can wear anytime no matter what the fashion (such as a cashmere sweater, the perfect fitting crisp white shirt, any fabulous shoes etc).

This can prove very rewarding – the feeling of joy when you can add something totally perfect looking, functional and half price will never loose its allure!

My functional pick is this cashmere batwing sweater by Alexander McQueen. A classic that you could wear forever, this one can be picked up from Net-a-porter for £305.40 (down from £509).

However, my second, more frivolous approach is to snap up those items that you may never actually wear but will look great in your clothes collection and might one day be just the perfect thing you need.

Such items include say a vintage Victoria lace slip… too beautiful and ancient to wear, but having the opportunity you cast your eyes over it day after day makes it every bit as worthwhile as say finding the perfect ‘interview shirt’.

My potential frivolous purchase this season might just be this ostrich feather bolero (from humble old Topshop surprisingly!). Right now I have no where to wear it, no dress to match it, but one day I may discover the perfect glittering 20’s style flapper dress and it will be the perfect adornment.

If not, I shall forever gaze at it adoringly hanging in my closet and never regret a penny spent. And I certainly wouldn’t in this case as it’s marked down from £85 to just £40!

If you have any sales tactics you swear by, please feel free to share!

With two days to go there is still time to bag yourself some bargains from the ASOS sale before it’s too late. I really like this vibrant yellow plaid blazer by Beckerman.

Featuring all-over plaid checks and a contrast lining, this is a stand-out-form-the-crowd jacket and a great item to invest in. Although we may be about to see the back of the check trend for now; plaid, blazers and the preppy look are all key fashion trends that just keep coming back around again and again so there’ll most likely be lots more wear in it to be had in the future.

Another reason to invest is the price! – ASOS have slashed the price by more than half and you can pick this up now for £125 (down from £275).

January is a bit of a tough month for fashion. Still dealing with the Christmas/New Year binge on dresses and all things sparkly, and with Spring/Summer collections just around the corner, new clothes seem like a bit of an extravagance. But with our January £50 challenge you can chase away those January blues and still be in pocket!

This month we’ve produced the antidote to squeezing yourself into those LBDs over Christmas – a casual weekend look.

First up, some classic Wide Leg Black trousers with a Bow Detail. They’ll hide all multitude of Christmas sins, and are a comfy but stylish alternative to jeans. They cost just £15 from ASOS now (sale ends Sunday), and as you can see from the picture, look great with spiky heels.

And here are the perfect spiky heels! For just £15 you can get these Royal Layered Metallic Shoes from Topshop. Metallic look set to make a comeback next season, and these shoes are perfect for dressing up or down.

So that leaves £20 for a top, and Warehouse have this cute Purple Bow Cardi in their sale. The over-sized buttons and bow detail make this way more interesting then a plain black jumper or cardi, and the tight fit will complement the wide leg trousers.

£50 well spent on an outfit to help you ease through January feeling well dressed but not over spent!

<After an expensive Christmas its time to start to tighten the purse strings… that doesn’t mean you can’t look gorgeous whilst doing it. Lingerieplease have gorgeous sets for under £30, from sexy brands including Wonderbra & Gossard to classic staple brands such as Triumph & Sloggi, its the perfect way to treat yourself without blowing your budget.

Lingerie is an essential base to any outfit and it not only makes you look fantastic but will make you feel fantastic! We recommend the Wonderbra D to G ornametal plunge in ruby red as it comes with shorties that have detachable suspender belts… ideal for valentines day! Go on, treat yourself to a gorgeous set for a gorgeous new you!

The only thing worth pulling out the wardrobe at the moment has to be knitwear – if it’s not designed to keep you warm you don’t need it! If you’re a bit short on such practical garments though, now is definitely the time to stock up on some.

This Pointelle Chunky Wrap Cardi from Warehouse ticks all the boxes for a winter warmer. Long sleeves (it’s ridiculous how many jumpers have short sleeves!), a neutral colour that isn’t too dark, and something that can be worn under and over other clothes. The narrow cuffs on the sleeves and diamond detailing give it a fashion edge, and the belted waist will give a nice silhouette.

It’s comes in grey or black costing £40 and is available online or in Warehouse stores now.