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Original poster

How often do you buy clothes at full price?

60 replies

RitaPanda · 14/12/2017 10:49

I love a browse in higher end high street shops (Reiss, Whistles) etc but would never consider buying anything at full price. 90% of my wardrobe is from sales, TK Maxx or eBay.

The only things I really buy full price are 'basics' such as long sleeve T-shirts that I wear under jumpers from Primark or H&M, but these are inexpensive and not the kind of things that do on sale.

My current posh frocks (for weddings etc) are Reiss via eBay and TK Maxx - most of which cost around £30.

Just wondering how common it is for people to buy clothes at full price (other than shops that are very cheap to start with). I just can't imagine paying full price when there are so many discounts to be had all year round.

OP posts:
Tanaqui · 14/12/2017 19:04

I mostly look for at least a 20% off code!

Original poster
RitaPanda · 14/12/2017 19:11

I rarely bother with charity shops anymore. I live in an affluent area yet they seem to be full of Primark, H&M, Tesco clothes for not much less than you would pay brand new. If they do get something from Reiss, Whistles, Hobbs they price it really high, even if it's very dated or not in great condition. I don't have time to go round 6 charity shops when the liklihood is I will leave empty handed.

I give to charity shops a lot though.

OP posts:
Ecureuil · 14/12/2017 19:15

I pretty much always buy full price. I can’t be arsed rummaging around sales, and when I do I usually find myself buying something because it’s cheap, not because I actually really want it.
I don’t buy a huge amount of clothes but when I do, I find something I like and I buy it. I found in the past that if I waited for the sales, the things I wanted were never reduced anyway.

LoniceraJaponica · 14/12/2017 19:16

"I live in an affluent area yet they seem to be full of Primark, H&M, Tesco clothes for not much less than you would pay brand new."

Our charity shops have the same - nothing more high end than M and S or Next. The only really nice thing I have bought in a charity shop were the aforementioned trousers.

Lanaorana2 · 14/12/2017 19:28

Never - opening price is for amateurs. Except primark where it's so cheap it's rude not to.

When I want something it gets stalked till it goes on sale - ie for about 5 mins these days.

Ebay is a no no but TK Maxx gold label is really good, inc. the website. Cos goes 70 per cent off with free delivery at the end of their sale - good source of gems. Once you've bought a Christopher Kane jacket with tags for a fiver, you stay fond of charity shops too.

I'm a hideous clothes snob so unless it's Primark black loose trousers, M&S pants, or Cos dresses, all sacred items, everything is usually designer. But in no universe is £1k worth tying up in a coat. Or even 100 quid.

Lweji · 14/12/2017 19:30

Never - opening price is for amateurs

Exactly. I have better things to do than professional shopping. Like MNetting about shopping. I'll stay amateur.

Butterfly1975 · 14/12/2017 19:31

I agree with Mulberry above that for some retailers the rrp is really just a price from which to offer so called 'discounts'. I'm looking at you GAP!

I only buy in sales usually. Love to get a bargain on labels like Hobbs and Jaeger Smile

Ecureuil · 14/12/2017 19:43

Exactly. I have better things to do than professional shopping. Like MNetting about shopping. I'll stay amateur

Ditto.
Nothing I like ever ends up in the sale anyway.

Tryingtogetitright · 14/12/2017 19:45

I try to never pay full price except for underwear etc, but like Floisme I sometimes get distracted by the discount and buy something because it's an amazing bargain rather than because it's what I actually want... so not really a saving at all!

LizzieSiddal · 14/12/2017 19:59

I find sine hung I like then wait for the inevitabile “Discount” Code which come every few days/weeks.

I mainly shop in Jigsaw, Boden, and M&S for basics.

LizzieSiddal · 14/12/2017 19:59

*something

wheresmyphone · 14/12/2017 20:01

Mulberry

wheresmyphone · 14/12/2017 20:05

Mulberry.**

You are so right. Many many companies price now for limited time at "full price" then discount. Their pricing models are set to assume most will be bought at a discounted rate. People still fail to understand that the so called "reduction" is not a true reduction: it's the actual
real selling price : retailer over inflates the first price. Eg White Company or Gap. White goods companies and furniture companies have done this for years eg DFS sells st full price for 3 weeks then discounts same item for 4 months.

DancingHouse · 14/12/2017 20:08

I can see the appeal of not wanting to bother with hunting for something cheaper when your out in the shops but online it's just seems worth a few clicks to Google for a discount code.

NK493efc93X1277dd3d6d4 · 14/12/2017 20:10

Pretty much never as a quick google for a discount code usually pays off.

NK493efc93X1277dd3d6d4 · 14/12/2017 20:11

Sorry - only read the first page & then posted!

Floisme · 14/12/2017 20:30

When I was talking about buying high end second hand stuff, I was thinking more dress agency or vintage than charity shop. I've had some charity shop successes this year through being a lot more systematic in the hunt but I still couldn't base a wardrobe around them - the good buys are too random. But we have one excellent dress agency for which I give thanks most weeks.

ChanandlerBongsNeighbour · 14/12/2017 20:52

I'm exactly the same as you OP. My layering basics are mainly Primark, the rest eBay and charity shops although I recently had a 'splurge' on two new pairs of jeans in Gap using a 50% off voucherGrin

mizu · 14/12/2017 21:53

Very rarely. Mostly eBay,

JaceLancs · 15/12/2017 01:26

I buy outlet or Ebay or tkmaxx
Dieting at the moment so know I won’t be wearing this size for too long (hopefully)
Also frequent charity shops
I only buy an item of clothing if I think I will get my money back on it or more
Currently making about £50 a week profit on eBay whilst enjoying lots of new outfits

roseretro · 15/12/2017 03:56

I work at topshop head office (also worked in store for 4 years) so my wardrobe is virtually 100% topshop

I never really buy from sales unless I wanted the item before. Sale is just messy, busy, sizes sold out etc. Also don’t think you can get as much wear out of sale pieces if they’re too trend focused. The only sale that I pay attention to is Zara, as they put most of their lines on sale (so you’re bound to find fabulous stuff rather than crap)

When it comes to eBay - I would never buy second hand anything. However eBay actually has nice trend items such as Bardot tops, lace bodysuits, those rhinestone plunge halter tops/dresses (eg Kendall Jenner’s birthday dress) and other items. If you follow a lot of bloggers on insta you’ll know the items I mean, or if you’ve come across ‘boutiques’ on Depop, you’ll find that a lot of their stuff is just eBay resold

LadyB49 · 15/12/2017 04:15

Got a Jaeger charcoal wool knee length coat, single breasted, double lapels, back vent, for £35 in tkmaxx. It's pure class.

Two months ago I saw a sale rail in M & S holding about 20 of that pink dress !!

Featherstep · 16/12/2017 00:00

I have learned the wisdom of just paying for the thing I want rather than trying to find a similar thing cheaper. E.g. I tried on and loved £42 Topshop jeans then spent £30 on 2 cheap ASOS pairs trying to replicate them.

This. I am quite tight and mostly don't buy full price (except from H&M or Zara maybe), but recently went for full price Next jeans at £46 after trying on a dozen in various shops. It's what I wanted, it's unlikely to be on sale for much lower than 20%. If I wanted just one pair of good black skinnies I might as well get the best pair I tried.

I do usually wait for the sales because generally I don't NEED a particular item of clothing urgently enough that I can't wait for a few weeks. If I really want something I'll spring for 20% off which is quite often. I often find there's not many desirable items left in the half price off sales anyway.

I really like Whistles but there is no way I will pay full price there... even in the current sale most things are nearer 100 quid than not! I don't think they're worth that much.

Niminy · 16/12/2017 08:53

I never find what I want in sales. Sales are when shops get rid of their unsold stock and usually it's unsold for a reason. Increasingly I buy very little and buy it at full price. I bought two things from Toast this season at full price. That was a big hole in my bank balance. But I wear them all the time.

I also find that sales and offers are timed when I have less money -companies to discounts in the middle of the month when cash-flow slows because, surprise surprise, people wait till they are paid (and then the discount is over). As I don't have a credit card I can only spend what I have. I'd rather save it for things I will wear and wear than buying loads of cheap stuff.

Lweji · 16/12/2017 09:11

even in the current sale most things are nearer 100 quid than not! I don't think they're worth that much

If you're buying leather or wool items from reputable brand, then, it can be worth it. These are materials that last a long time and still look good.
I wouldn't pay well into the 100s, though.