Recent best buys / bargains

[Lobeliablue]

I’ve had several years of being on a very tight budget but things are a little better now , it’s a long time since I’ve bought anything new just for me and I have been given a generous £200 for my birthday. I’d like a few items that feel special/good quality at reasonable prices as I’d like to feel I’ve had a splurge on a few treats.

Anybody bought anything recently either online or in a physical shop they want to share? Ideally I’d like a statement necklace, a bag and maybe a jacket but I’m open to ideas and want this money to go as far as possible.

For a statement necklace maybe have a look on Etsy? Do you mean a winter coat or something like a biker jacket or blazer?
Work bag or something for special occasions?

Hi thanks for answering, etsy is a good idea although the choice is huge, jacket - something to pull outfits together, maybe a blazer. Bag, I want something quite plain, possibly a crossbody and leather.

I don’t really know where to shop anymore, bit out of practice. I’ve got people coming over soon but I’ll check back to see any suggestions- I won’t get this chance again for a long while to have a spend so I want to avoid wasting money ☺️

Try Oliver Bonas www.oliverbonas.com/jewellery/category/necklaces-pendants
There’s some really nice jewellery there.
I’ve had a couple of great bags from this company including these
www.myexquisiteshop.com/products/windsor-italian-leather-saddle-bag and one called Camila, they have crossbody bags if you dear have but these are lovely.

Blazers, kind of thing you’d hope to get from Marks but their fabrics can be dodgy, maybe John Lewis. It’s a bit in between seasons at the moment, lots of sales on, look out for discount codes to make your money go further.
You could try Boden too for a blazer, there’s usually a code to be found somewhere.

I've had some real bargains recently at sample sales. For example, a limited edition leather bag that was £30 instead of £675 (yes, seriously!), 100% cashmere sweaters that were £90 (instead of £350) and some jewellery (such as a bracelet that was £30 instead of £150). I love a sample sale. But it depends where you live as to whether this is accessible to you or not. I'm in London so pretty easy for me. Outside London not so much I guess.

There's also been some good deals online during the sales but they seem to be coming to an end now and the real bargains were snapped up early. I tend to follow designers I like on social media and sign up to their mailing lists so you get notified when a sale is happening.

Hundred MilesAnHour that’s a jaw dropping bargain of a bag, wow!

I have a nice blazer ifound in Debenhams recently but they're generally a bit hit and miss. Also have the bag linked after seeing it recommended and it's lovely.

Phase 8 can be good for decent quality too

Thanks for the links, lots to look at there. There’s a gold colour necklace that I particularly like. Where would I find a Boden code? Do I have to sign up to them?
Unfortunately I’m outside of London

Also have a look at discounted fashion sites such as The Outnet and Yoox. Sometimes you get lucky and get something that's top quality for small money. Things go quickly though so don't hesitate if you see something you like.

How lovely.
If I wanted to feel I was getting a treat I think I’d head to John Lewis and get this sort of thing

Indigo straight leg jeans - www.johnlewis.com/mint-velvet-meribel-deep-turn-up-jeans-indigo/p4019085

A good shirt - www.johnlewis.com/hush-liberty-shirt-blue-white/p3987434

And either some ankle boots
www.johnlewis.com/bertie-priot-block-heel-cowboy-boots/black-nubuck/p3691096

Or a new bag

www.johnlewis.com/allsaints-captain-lea-round-leather-cross-body-bag-coral-pink/p4141046

And either a New lipstick or a pair of earrings

www.johnlewis.com/estella-bartlett-lotus-stud-earrings-gold/p3314005

Those studs are lovely, understated but still a bit different, good find.

If there is one near you, House of Fraser has a huge number of brands in one place, and their sales are ongoing. It might be easier to browse the racks there than to go from shop to shop if you’re out of practice with shopping! I find that it’s quieter than on the high street, so you can take your time trying the items on. Happy birthday!

Some great ideas here thanks, I haven’t used the Outnet before so that’s a new one to me. I really want to get this right as I never get to spend on myself.

I got a really lovely black leather and suede backpack from Accessorize a few weeks ago in the same for £37.50. It’s not somewhere I would think to look for bags but I was walking past and spied it through the window. Can’t find it online but maybe have a look in store - they had a couple of lovely ones in the sale.

If you’re going to trawl the outnet you might want to look at Brand Alley too, they often have some nice jewellery and accessories.

Brand Alley looks promising thanks for that, I think I have some jewellery ideas now although I’d like to see that in person to check the exact weight and length. I went for the bag recommended in navy thank you, so I have some money still to spend.! I’m between boots and blazer in choices.

It kind of depends on what you generally wear and what your lifestyle is like, but here’s what I would buy with £200:

Blazer (navy, linen)

www.thewhitecompany.com/uk/Linen-Blazer/p/LICZE?swatch=Navy

Great bag (tan, will go with everything, can be dressed up or down)!

www.whistles.com/women/sale/accessories/matilda-bucket-bag-29217.html?dwvar_matilda-bucket-bag-29217_color=Brown&cgid=Accessories_Sale_WW#start=0

It doesn’t leave much for a necklace though...

HundredMiles which bag was it? I love a bargain bag

Actually if someone gave me £200 today I’d buy these, because I’ve wanted them for ages and always end up buying something else instead:

www.georgjensen.com/en-gb/jewellery/earrings/daisy-earrings---gold-plated-sterling-silver-with-white-enamel/3539222.html#prefn1=ProductType&sz=60&start=60&prefv1=Earrings

(I’ve already got the navy blazer I linked to, and I bought another tan bag this month, but it was close between that one and the one I linked to here)

Ninankinus you might regret it if you really love those earrings and don’t get them and they get discontinued or sell out. I’ve done that a couple of times for things I’ve really loved.

Himalayan salt scrub from home bargains my skin feels amazing after I’ve exfoliated in the shower with it! It’s £2.99 and the best exfoliate I’ve ever used

Also Debenhams have a sale on at the moment and I just grabbed a jasper Conran bag for £25 when it was meant to be £60 x

Debenhams always have a sale but yes, although it can be a bit chaotic it’s possible to find some real gems there.

I very rarely go into Debenhams, I kind of forget it’s there but yes I will have a look especially as you say they have constant sales.

I can see great bargains at Debenhams but having bought from House of Fraser just before it fell apart, I’m worried about returns....

Not a sale item but I bought this Massimo Dutti silk shirt today. It’s quite sheen-y for me but gosh I feel so great in it. It feels so luxe on. Love it. It’s a really handy staple piece for a wardrobe. And it’s a good price for silk.