Bargain Binge.....

So today I'd like to chat about bargain or sale shopping. Most people either love it or loath it.......Well , whichever category you fall into I'm sure your not adverse to a great value purchase. The constant noise and crowds can be enough to distract even the most ardent shopper and I'll freely admit that I hate shopping at peak sale times. I find that I get so stressed from packed shops and queues that I simply lose interest very quickly regardless of the great reductions to be had.

Shopping vintage style can be so much more pleasurable and don't forget that sale shopping also applies to Vintage Shops and Charity/Thrift shopping. Oxfam (whose many shops are now in almost every Town in Ireland and UK) do a special sale of all Winter stock with up to 50% off original price tags. The great thing about shops like Oxfam is that you never know what you may pick up. Anything from a unique designer name to the best of the high street is up for grabs. 

This fabulous  Vintage 70's  coat was purchased in the Oxfam Winter sale in Dublin City! Love this!

Advantages of Charity Shop or Vintage bargain shopping is that the pieces are one offs . You are very unlikely to see anyone else ever wearing the same. This jacket cost 12euro!!!!!!!! I know I know.............

This great Nordic style vintage Jacket was purchased in Vincent's Charity Shop over Xmas. 

This 100% Wool Nordic Jacket cost 10 euro in Vincent's Charity Shop in Dublin Ireland. Absolute Bargain especially as I love it so 

The Jacket is fastened by vintage metal clasps and this Jacket was originally bought for a lot more money. Its beautifully made and was an expensive Jacket.

However, I like to keep my sourcing flexible and so am happy to purchase a fab High Street bargain just like anyone else and also scour the Vintage and Charity Shop scene. I have found a few little Gems over the last few weeks and I'll share some photos with you in this post.

Next up a High Street purchase. I love this dress as its a body con dress hidden underneath a 50's style mesh outer skirtl This gives it a demure look with a bit of sexiness thrown in. I bought this dress in Swamp in the Stephens Green Centre at the top of Grafton St in Ireland. It was reduced from 80euro to .........................20euro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES..............Great!

Dress 20 euro  SWAMP Dublin. Hat CLAIRES  ACCESSORIES bought it as part of a 3 for ten euro deal.............this works out at about 3 euro for the hat which has a cute diamante detail on the side.

I wore a little vintage belt around my waist to give the dress a more Christmasy look. The belt (which is velvet and diamante) was bought in a thrift shop for 2 euro.............Enough said......... 

Whats your opinion of Bargain/Sale shopping............Do you love it or does it give you palpitations and panic attacks?  I'd love to hear your thoughts ........  

A quick index of my favourite Bargain hunting spots include; .......HIGHSTREET,...RIVER ISLAND  (Great for accessories and shoes) . They start their shoe/accessorary sale before Christmas Day so if your hoping to grab yourself a shoe/bag bargain you need to get in there before the traditional sale dates as by Boxing/Stephens Day most accessories and shoes are gone. However their clothing sale is happily still going strong on these dates. 

Next up .....ZARA.......Well known for their great reductions and fab designs they are at their best during the A/W season. Footwear and outerwear are their strong points during this season in my opinion.

Fab seasonal Gold Sandals bought in Zara Sale!

These Zara sandals were reduced from €39.95 to €9............!!!! Great purchase!

Last but not least PENNEYS/PRIMARK.......yes,  I know....... its low priced clothing already despite their great designs and super fast reactions to whats on trend on the catwalks . However, their REDUCTIONS season (Primark/Penneys don't use the SALE logo's in their reduction campaign for some reason) is quite a season and you can pick up most items in the REDUCTIONS category for under a tenner..........not to be scoffed at........

Penneys/Primark Limited Edition range Shoes reduced from €23 to €7................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These amazingly pretty shoes look a lot more expensive than €23 never mind €7............ I love these!

Penneys/Primark again. This time great sandals that will take me right into next summer. The block heel is super comfortable too. LOVE!

These super sandals from Penneys?Primark were reduced from €21 to €5................ Can't argue with that!

I've bagged myself a few gems there this sale season for almost no money...whats not to LOVE. There's nothing like a great value bargain to starve the Winter Blues. However, its only a bargain if its an item you would have considered purchasing at full price. Never be seduced by the fact a piece  of clothing or accessorary is reduced by 70% if its not truly something you love. You will have a moment of euphoria and then nothing and the "bargain" will end up at the back of your wardrobe only to see the light of day again when you decide to donate it to your local charity shop and so the cycle begins again..........

I hope I've giving you some insight into Sale shopping and that this post was helpful and insightful . HAPPY SALE SHOPPING! ............Please let me know in the comments your thoughts on Sale Shopping.

Lots of love VIOLINKIT XXX

VIOLINKIT happily Vintage/Bargain shopping in Dublin Ireland. XXX